One of my favorite traditional foods from Peru- Tacu Tacu

Tacu Tacu can be create an infatuation. When looking at the ingredients before they are prepared, it's hard to believe they could create something so tasty. I like to eat it to refuel my cabohydrate supply when I have that carb craving. To be honest, I've never eaten it in a restaurant. It's strictly something that I've eaten at home or at friends houses. I think that's where it's made best if you ask me! That's why it's such a great dish to share because aside from being a great traditional Peruvian food, it's something everyone can do themselves!

Photo by LWYang/
Published under CC  Attribution2.0 Generic 

A lot of Peruvians will tell you this dish is prepared when you don't have a lot of money because it primarily consists of leftovers. Apparently, it has it's roots in the Afro-Peruvian culture. However, it can be found in many different households and restaurants. You can recognize it right away because of it's familiar rounded shape and crispy looking exterior.

The outside layer of Tacu Tacu should always be browned and crispy to the touch. The inside is usually more moist and soft. It's almost like the outer layer forms a skin that keeps all the tenderness inside.

In order to make it, you want to use those beans and rice that you couldn't finish the night before. It's best to use the broth left over from the beans to give it extra flavoring. You basically mix the rice in beans (and broth) in a frying pan and fry it until you see the outer layer getting golden brown and a little hardened. You want to include some seasoning ingredients while frying the rice and beans. These can include garlic, aji amarillo, and some onions.

Generally it is eaten alone. It's definitely filling all by itself. However, if you're like me and like to eat it for breakfast, you can add a fried egg on top for a nice morning meal. Peruvians have a style of Tacu Tacu called "a lo pobre" which adds strips of steak, egg and a fried plantain. Fried fish also pairs well. I'm including a link to one of my favorite recipes for this which has detailed instructions and great pics. Try it out, this may become your new favorite traditional food from Peru!

Recipe Link