Nachi's pointless rants and recollections

Ok, so I'm all for having a few friends over to celebrate a special occasion like a birthday or an anniversary.
I would cook up something light to eat, have several choices of drinks and put on some background music to chat the night away.
That would be my way of course.

The thing is, I'm Peruvian, and celebrations have nothing light going for them. Culturally in my family we go big in terms of food and music.
There needs to be an array of foods to satisfy 50 hungry times twice over.
The amazing thing though, is the fact that it's usually one mom doing all the work, all day long!

So, here is my beef with that, how do you enjoy your party if you are slaving over in the kitchen since the day before and well into the party hours?

Today there is a birthday party happening at home and although I appreciate all the work my fiance's mom puts into, she ends the night exhausted and sometimes cranky. She spends the day chopping, and cooking, and stewing, and baking. Her food is amazing, don't get me wrong. She also charms her guests with her amazing cooking skills and they can't get enough of that.
But, is it worth it?

I'm not so sure, I would rather have someone else cook for my party or just go with the simple options.

I might be wrong here, keep in mind, I'm a very lazy person. I love to cook, but for my myself and my two guys. Anyone else who wants food can cook themselves.

Ok, mini-rant over.
What are your thoughts?

So I wrote this big ass long post about Peruvian food and somehow it did not save. I'll just present you with what little did save and some pictures. Please forgive me, it was long and I even considered not posting this at all.

One of the biggest reasons to visit Peru has to be the food.
There is so much diversity, so much to choose from and not enough time to savor it all. I particularly have yearned to eat an authentic plate of ceviche for the longest time ever. Yes I have had some in NY, but my taste buds cannot be fooled. The real taste of a local ceviche has a kick to it, something that makes your mouth dance.
Today, I got to experience the biggest orgasm in my mouth thanks to the 1st Annual Fair of Gastronomy of Lima North.

This fair, first of its kind in that area was like a congregation of different restaurants that offered so many types of foods. There was rice, meats of all kids, pachamanca, rotisserie chicken, all kinds of potatoes, some delicious desserts, and my absolute favorite; ceviche!!

That's about all that got saved from the nearly ten paragraph post I made. Thankfully, I have some pictures to fill out the lack of reading material, enjoy!


Sign announcing the event


Chicharron (deep fried pork) served with Peruvian pop corn (cancha), mote, and an onion mini salad.


Chiffles (deep fried potato chip style banana) in a spiral fashion.


Succulent plate of Ceviche (marinated fish in lime juice and other spices) served with onions, cancha, mote and sweet potato.
I nearly cried when I tasted this, you cannot get it to taste like this in NY.


Savoring the heavenly taste of my ceviche.


Nice lady soaking my Picarones (Peruvian style doughnut made out of pumpkin and squash) in the delicious syrup.

I also had some Chicha Morada (purple corn drink) but I didn't get a chance to take a picture.
The food was amazing and it brought out in me such a great feeling of homesickness. I just wish we could make food as amazing as they make here. Sure we try our best, but lack of ingredients and spices do not make the finished product justice.
I've been promised to be taken to more amazing places to eat some more delicious food.
My tummy can't wait!