Papas a la Huancaina (Potatoes in creamy Peanut Sauce) is a whole, balanced meal in itself. The potatoes provide the starch and carbohydrates, the peanuts, eggs and cheese provide the protein, and slices of bell peppers and tomatoes provide the vegetable-derived vitamins and minerals. Not only good for you, Papas a la Huancaina is super delicious!

Papas a la Huancaina Recipe-

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb. toasted unsalted Spanish peanuts
• 8 large potatoes, peeled, boiled tender, and quartered
• 5 dried red chili peppers
• 1 large red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and sliced thin
• 1 cup of water
• 4 cups of milk
• 1 head of lettuce
• 4 hard boiled eggs, peeled and thick sliced
• 3 tsp. salt
• 6 oz. of Spanish white cheese, sliced, for accompaniment
• 1 large tomato, sliced, for accompaniment

Directions:

1. In a food processor or electric blender, puree the peanuts and milk together into a thick, saucy paste.
2. Sauté the hot red chili peppers until the blacken and slightly toasted – but not charred. When they are well toasted, place them in a bag and pound on them enough to break them into tiny pieces. Do not try this bare handed – the oils from the peppers can cause skin rash and burning.
3. In a large cooking pot, place the water, peanut paste, ground peppers, and salt to taste, bring to a boil, then reduce to a lively simmer, and cook for about 15 minutes until you have a congruous, thick, creamy sauce.
4. To serve your Papas a la Huancaina, place a few boiled potato quarters on each serving plate. Ladle a generous portion of the creamy peanut sauce over the potatoes. Set a couple large leaves of fresh lettuce on the side, and top the creamed potatoes with some slices of bell pepper and hard boiled eggs. Have a plate of accompaniments set on the table: sliced cheese and tomatoes.

Note: Traditionally, Bolivians treat Papas a la Huancaina like a salad. Yes, you assemble the dish as described above, but they will usually chop it all up together, add some cheese slices and tomatoes – even black and/or green olives are liked, too – and chow down on the whole bunch of ingredients together.

Also to keep in mind: this peanut sauce tastes great with grilled meats, fish and seafoods, too!

---