Ocopa Arequipeña: A Taste of Peru
Ocopa Arequipeña is a delicious and colorful appetizer hailing from the rich culinary traditions of Peru. This dish combines boiled potatoes topped with a creamy, spicy, and herbaceous sauce made with authentic ingredients like huacatay and aji amarillo. Perfect for impressing guests during a dinner party or simply enriching your everyday meal repertoire.
Ingredients
🥔 1 lb Yukon gold or Russet potatoes
🧀 ½ cup Queso Fresco
🧅 1 onion, chopped
🧄 1 teaspoon garlic, chopped
🧴 1 teaspoon Huacatay paste Amazon link
🌶 1 tablespoon Aji Amarillo paste Amazon link
🍪 4 soda crackers
🥛 ½ cup evaporated milk
🥜 ¼ cup roasted peanuts
🧂 1 teaspoon Salt
🌶 ½ teaspoon Pepper
🥚 2 Eggs, sliced for garnish
🫒 Black olives, for garnish
🌿 Parsley, for garnish
🛢 2 tablespoons Oil
Instructions
1- Prepare Potatoes and Eggs:
- Boil 1 lb of Yukon gold or Russet potatoes with a pinch of salt until fully cooked (about 25 minutes).
- Once tender, drain and allow them to cool slightly before peeling.
- Slice the cooled potatoes into rounds.
- Boil eggs until they are hard-boiled, then peel and slice them for garnish.
2- Make the Ocopa Sauce:
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté it until golden brown.
- Add garlic, Aji amarillo paste, and Huacatay paste to the skillet. Stir until well combined and aromatic.
- Remove from heat and transfer the mixture to a blender.
- Add soda crackers, queso fresco, roasted peanuts, and evaporated milk to the blender.
- Blend until a thick and creamy sauce forms. If needed, add oil to achieve desired consistency.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3- Arrange and Serve:
- Arrange the sliced potatoes on a serving plate.
- Generously pour the Ocopa sauce over the arranged potatoes.
- Garnish with sliced hard-boiled eggs, black olives, and parsley.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: Approx. 350
Protein: 12g
Fats: 18g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Equipment: Pot, Skillet, Blender, Wooden spoon, Knife, Potato peeler, Serving plate
Cooking Tips:
- To achieve the perfect sauce consistency, be ready to add a spoonful of oil while blending.
- Adjust seasoning according to personal preference for the perfect balance of flavors.
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