Peruvian Causa Homemade Recipe, Layered Mashed Potatoes filled with Tuna

SPICY POTATO TERRINE FILLED WITH TUNA AND AVOCADO

How could I ever imagine that some mashed potatoes with lemon juice, chili pepper, oil, and salt, molded like a cake, could ever turn into an appetizer of such perfect synergy? Causa didn’t sound extremely promising at first. But I obviously wasn´t acquainted with the one-of-a-kind ingredients of Peru, otherwise I wouldn’t have so readily doubted. This is the kind of dish of which you only need to take a bite, and it suddenly becomes perfectly clear why it is a big star in so many tables.

When the recipe says potatoes, it’s not just any potato. Peruvian yellow potatoes are incomparable to any other you may have tried. Of this, you can be sure. Grown in the highest parts of the Andes, they are small and intensely yellow inside, and have a sandy texture that is creamy at the same time. For most Andean families they are an everyday meal, eaten on their own -simply boiled in water-, or paired with butter or any of the artisan cheeses from the mountains. By the way, potatoes are original from Peru, and we also have the largest variety in the world (more than 3000 kinds!).

Limon Ceuti­ (sutil lime), is the most commonly used in our country. Dark green and small in size -very similar to Key limes-, it is appreciated for its strong acidity, adding a citric taste and a delicate perfume to the dish. Additionally, Peruvian Aji­ Amarillo (yellow chili pepper) contributes both with its vibrant color as with a slightly hot kick, which is always graduated by each cook according to personal taste.

Causa can be found in every corner of the country. I don´t think there is one single Peruvian who doesn´t cherish this dish . And thanks to the creativity of young innovative chefs, what used to be a simple dish has now lots of sophisticated presentations, and can be found in innumerable shapes, flavors and colors. There even was a restaurant in Lima called Mi Causa that only served variations of this much craved food. Causa is never left out in households, parties, and restaurants of all levels. Its long history goes back to colonial times, and probably further back, as its original name is in Quechua (the language of the Incas): Kausay, which means “what nurtures you”. Incas used to feast on yellow potatoes with salt and yellow chili, hence the name.

To make it, you can use yellow chili paste as an emergency substitution if you can´t find the fresh or frozen Aji­ Amarillo. This can be found in many supermarkets and grocery stores, or you can buy it online. Try it before you use it, because sometimes it´s not as hot as you may expect, and others, it can bring you to tears. Using other kinds of potatoes and lemons will change the taste and texture a bit, but when abroad, we do it with what we have in hand and love it anyway.

I cooked a huge Causa for 20 people this past Thanksgiving using Yukon gold potatoes and regular Key limes. For my daughter and I, the only Peruvians at the party, the texture was a bit off compared to the original yellow potato that we’re used to. It was a bit soggy. But still, it was good enough and did the job. For everyone else, it was a huge culinary success. We saw the whole tray disappear in less than 20 minutes, and happy faces all around. So don’t be shy and give it a try, I´m sure you will love it too.


Causa, bim bam boom! Summery explosion of flavors
Author: 
Recipe type: Appetizer
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 6
 
Ingredients
  • 6 floury potatoes (yellow or white)
  • 6 yellow hot peppers (aji amarillo) seeded and deveined (or 2 tablespoons of yellow chili paste)
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • Juice of 3 limes
  • Salt
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 ears giant kernel corn on the cob (or use regular white corn)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tuna can
  • ¾ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 avocado
  • Salt and pepper
  • 6 black olives, sliced
  • 1 tomato, seeded and diced
  • Parsley
Instructions
  1. * Place the yellow hot peppers in a pan of cold water, bring to a boil and cook for 15-20 minutes. Strain, peel and process in the blender with 1 -2 tablespoons of water until creamy. Reserve.
  2. *In another pan cook the eggs in boiling water for 8-10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl with cold water. Peel and reserve.
  3. *In a saucepan over high heat cook the corn in water with 1 tablespoon sugar for 10 minutes. It isn´t necessary to cover the pan. When ready, turn off the heat and reserve the corn in the same water.
  4. *Scrub the potatoes and cook in a pan of boiling water for 20 minutes or until soft but not mushy. Strain. Peel them while hot and mash them immediately or put them through a ricer.
  5. *Add the blended yellow peppers or paste, vegetable oil, lime juice and salt to the mashed potatoes. Mix well and keep tasting them and adding more of any of the above ingredients if needed, till the result is tasty enough for you. Reserve.
  6. *In a bowl combine tuna with mayonnaise. Slice the avocado.
  7. *Lightly oil a large container (we use round or loaf pans, or pastry rings). Line the base with a layer of the potato. Cover with the tuna mixture and then with avocado slices, salt and pepper. Add another layer of potatoes on top. Chill in the refrigerator.
  8. *Prior to serving, decorate with hard boiled eggs, black olives, parsley, tomato and corn. (You can choose any mix of these ingredients, or get creative and add your own!). Serve cold.

Causa limeña


Comments

  1. I made a vegetarian Causa for a party in Los Angeles where some of my friends are veggies. I just loaded it with sliced tomatoes, avocado, Peruvian corn, botija olives and cubes of fresh white cheese. Since I can’t find Peruvian fresh cheese I use a Mexican kind that is found in most Latin American markets.

    For a vegan option, just omit the cheese!

    • Yes Andrea, Causa is super versatile, and soooooo good every time! I tried a vegan version with tofu, alfalfa sprouts, spinach, and roasted peppers, it really was something to remember.

  2. That is really interesting, You are an overly professional blogger. I have joined your feed and sit up for seeking extra of your fantastic post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks

  3. Me encanto que buen trabajo y muchas gracias por compartir la receta y mas las deseamos, cuando estamos lejos de nuestro querido Peru.Muy buen trabajo.

    • Hola Nancy, gracias por visitarnos, qué bueno que te gustó la receta de la causa. Qué rica, no? Cuál es tu plato favorito?

      • nancy Leon Ramal says:

        SI MIRA S TODA AL COMIDA PERUANA ES EXQUISITA OJALA PUDIERAN PONER MAS REVETAS Y SI DIFUNDIR MAS NUESTRA GASTRONOMIA . DE CADA RECGION DE NUESTROP pERU QUE ES MUY VARIADA. pWERO EL PAVO MECHADO, ESL SECO DE MCHAVELO UN BUEN SANDWICH DE PAVO NORTEñO CRIOLLA O UN A PIERNA DE CORDERO AL HORNO CON P[APAS HAY BUENO YA NO SIGO QUE YA ME DIO HAMBRE, YO NACI EN CAJAMARCA PERO VIVI MUCHO TIEMPO EN TRUJILLO. ESPERO VER MAAAAS RECETAS Y PONGAN TODAS LAS SALSAS QUE TENEMOS. AQUI MISMO TENGO LAS PLANTITAS DE HUACATAY Y LO QUE SI ESTOY CONFUNDIDA CON LOS AJIES, EL ESCABECHE, QUE TAMBIEN LE DICEN AJI AMARILLOEN SU FORMA FRESCA Y SECOES MIRASOL VERDAD Y EL AJI PANCA ES EL ROJO QUE SE SECA EN SU PROPIA PLANTA Y BUENO EL AJI LIMO PARA EL CEVICHITO. Y BUENO GRACIAS NUEVAMENTE POR SU TRABAJO Y POR COMPARTIR. DIOS LOS BENDIGA EN TODO.

        • Gracias por visitarnos, Nancy. El ají amarillo es conocido con distintos nombres. Qué bueno que tengas huacatay, es parte imprescindible de muchas recetas peruanas.

  4. Please let me know how the vegan version comes out. I would be excited to know the results!

    • I’ve tried the vegan version and its delicious. It had no mayonaise, and sauteed spinach, red peppers and tofu (with garlic and onion) in the middle. On top, for decoration, alfalfa sprouts. it was AMAZING. I actually went back to the place several times to eat it again because I loved it. You have to chop everything very small so it fits well between the layers of potato. At home, I sometimes eat it (again without mayonaise), stuffed with avocado, corn and black olives (sometimes tofu too). Use your creativity. The potato dough is what is really AMAZING in this recipe, so whatever you combine it with you will be fine.

  5. Causa limeña de atún is one of my favorite dishes of Peruvian cuisine. Peruvian food is delicious but a good causa limeña recipe is hard to find and this one is easy to prepare and delicious comfort food from Peru. Thanks for the great recipes!

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