The Malaysian Insider :: Food

One chef, one ingredient: Peruvian chef Gaston Acurio on chile

Posted: 31 Dec 2012 12:10 AM PST

Peruvian chef Gaston Acurio. — AFP-Relaxnews pic

LIMA, Dec 31 — If you are what you eat, then it could be said that chefs are what they cook. In an exclusive series from Relaxnews, some of the top chefs from around the world share their favourite food ingredient to prepare and eat, every week. Whether it be peas, apricots, or sea urchin, the answers are as varied as the chefs themselves. This week, Peruvian rock star chef Gaston Acurio, who been described as the Jamie Oliver of Latin America, heats up the series with his pick: the aji amarillo, or Peruvian yellow chile.

Relaxnews: Why did you choose this ingredient? What's your favourite memory associated with the product?

I chose it because to me, it's the essence of Peruvian flavour, and it's the flavour of many memories throughout my life. As a child, I opened the refrigerator, and there it was. And today, I use it all the time - in raw dishes (especially cebiches and tiraditos), stews, and more.

When is the ingredient in season?

It's in season all year.

What's the best way to cook it?

There are three main ways I prepare it or cook with it: raw, sliced and mixed with onions to serve as a salsa; blended, as a base for cebiches and tiraditos, and cooked in a sofrito for stews and rice, like for arroz con pollo, a traditional Peruvian chicken and rice dish.

What other ingredients does it pair best with?

It's such a versatile ingredient and works well with almost any raw dish, risotto, gazpacho, dipping sauce, vinaigrette, stew, or even burgers.

What are the most common mistakes people make when cooking with this ingredient?

I think the biggest mistake is looking for the spiciest aji amarillo. It's best to look for flavour, not spiciness.

Do you serve it in your restaurant and in what dish?

Yes! We serve it in our tiraditos (a raw fish dish), causa (a potato dish) with tuna tartare, aji de gallina (a chicken and rice dish), arroz con mariscos (a seafood and rice dish). — AFP-Relaxnews

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

Isnin, 31 Disember 2012

The Malaysian Insider :: Food

The Malaysian Insider :: Food

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