0

Your Cart is Empty

October 20, 2024 5 min read

It is always a great pleasure when you find new recipes and shake things up in your kitchen, discovering new and exciting flavors to add to your tastes.

But let’s be honest, sometimes you open a recipe and find half of the ingredients are not also extra hard to find, they’re also pretty pricey. But just because you’re cooking on a budget doesn’t mean you have to miss out on a great gastronomic experience! 

Peru is an amazing country where it’s not rare to see people preparing the most delicious and nutritious meals for their families at a very reasonable cost. So why don’t you do the same? Check out somePeruvian recipes that won’t have you breaking the bank. 

Read More: Can Short Throw Projectors be Ceiling Mounted?

What are the cheapest ingredients of Peruvian food?

One of the most magical things about Peruvian food is that, like practically any latin american cuisine, most (if not all) of the ingredients are very little processed and more natural, which makes them low cost. We’re not talking fancy, organic, food.

We mean good quality, naturally grown ingredients that earth provides. Although not all of them are easy to find you can always shop the  best variety of Peruvian ingredients at Kosmos. 

The cheapest ingredients to preparePeruvian recipes also happen to be the most common ingredients used for a lot of meals. 

Grains such as rice, corn, quinoa or chickpeas form the base of most of the dishes in Peru; and the main ingredients that makePeruvian recipes stand out are seasonings like ají no moto, ají panca, ají amarillo and huacatay, to name a few.

Arroz Tapado: A great Peruvian recipe to save money

If you’re looking closely to not go out of your budget and still enjoy an easy yet delicious meal, Arroz Tapado is exactly what you’re looking for.

A great advantage of this and otherPeruvian recipes is that you can make use of all those vegetables you have lying around in your fridge and can’t figure out how to use. 

The traditional protein is ground beef, but you can also use something else you have at home or that turns out to be cheaper at the store like chicken, canned tuna or salmon.

As a base you can use grains which are very low cost food such aswhite or brown rice or  quinoa.  As for the vegetables you can work with green peas, corn, pepper or many other options.

The good thing aboutPeruvian recipes like Arroz Tapadois that leftovers can be reheated as much as you like and mix them afterwards with other ingredients to renew the taste. 

Anticuchos

In almost every country, you can find cheap, fast food that gets us going through the day at a very low cost.

For Peru, Anticuchos are a dish that won’t cost you a lot to prepare and will definitely taste better than if you bought them from a street vendor. Anticuchos are basically juicy, savoury marinated pieces or cubes of meat grilled on sticks. 

SomePeruvian recipes don’t really work if you change the ingredients, so we recommend that you stick to beef heart when preparing this dish since it’s basically all you’ll need along with seasonings such as  powder garlic.  If you want to read the full recipe to prepare classic Peruvian Anticuchos click  here

Quinoa con Leche

Not even desserts have to be expensive to prepare!Peruvian recipes also include budget friendly sweet treats to end a nice meal. Quinoa con leche is a spin of the traditional Arroz con Leche dessert.

You’ll just need a pack of  quinoa grains, whole milk, evaporated milk, sugar and cinnamon to spice it up. 

Put the quinoa to cook along with the spices and when the grain is soft enough pour in both milks to create a creamy paste. Put the mix in the fridge or let it cool and add powdered cinnamon to decorate and season.  

As you can see, some of the bestPeruvian recipes are whipped out at a very low cost.

Put on your thinking hat and follow this recipes or check out more traditional recipes on your blog and adapt them to your budget! After all, cooking is all about experimenting.

  • Potatoes - Potatoes are a staple ingredient in Peruvian cuisine, and there are over 4,000 varieties grown in the country. They are a versatile and inexpensive ingredient that can be boiled, roasted, or fried.

  • Rice - Rice is another staple ingredient in Peruvian cuisine and is often used as a side dish or in soups and stews.

  • Beans - Beans are a nutritious and affordable source of protein and are used in many traditional Peruvian dishes, such as tacu tacu and frijoles con seco.

  • Corn - Corn is a staple food in the Andean region of Peru and is used to make a variety of dishes, including tamales, chicha, and ceviche.

  • Quinoa - Quinoa is a nutritious grain that is native to the Andean region of Peru. It is often used in salads, soups, and stews and is a great source of protein.

  • Plantains - Plantains are a type of banana that are commonly used in Peruvian cooking. They can be boiled, fried, or baked and are often used as a side dish or in desserts.

  • Eggs - Eggs are an affordable source of protein and are used in many traditional Peruvian dishes, such as tortilla de huevo and pan con huevo.

These ingredients can be found at most supermarkets and grocery stores in Peru and are used in many traditional dishes that are both delicious and affordable.

FAQs:

Q: Can I substitute expensive ingredients in Peruvian recipes with more affordable ones?

A: Many expensive ingredients in Peruvian recipes can be substituted with more affordable alternatives. For example, you can use chicken instead of beef in Lomo Saltado or substitute quinoa with rice in dishes like Chupe de Camarones.

Q: Are there any vegetarian or vegan Peruvian dishes that are budget-friendly?

A: Yes, many vegetarian and vegan Peruvian dishes are budget-friendly, such as Papa a la Huancaína (made without cheese), Quinoa Chaufa (stir-fried quinoa with vegetables), and Tacu Tacu (fried rice and beans).

Q: What are some tips for cooking Peruvian food on a budget?

A: Some tips for cooking Peruvian food on a budget include:

  • Shop at local markets or street vendors for fresh produce at lower prices.
  • Use cheaper cuts of meat, such as chicken or ground beef, instead of more expensive cuts.
  • Substitute expensive ingredients with more affordable alternatives.
  • Buy ingredients in bulk to save money in the long run.
  • Look for recipes that use fewer ingredients and require less preparation time.

Read More: How to make printer ink last longer.