#MeatlessMondays – Cauche de queso, an unforgettable appetizer

Potatoes and cheese. Is there a simpler combination of ingredients that is as satisfying on every possible level as this? Everyone may think Cebiche is the most popular dish in Peru, but I say that is debatable. When it comes to comfort food, our native potatoes, accompanied by a big slice of Andean (and in many cases homemade) cheese, are very high on the list. Eaten on a daily basis, sometimes as a snack, sometimes as the main meal, and either for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, this staple of the Andean diet leaves no room for disappointment, and never gets old despite incessant repetition. Of all the Andean regions of our country, Arequipa is the most famous for it’s spicy and colorful cuisine. Chupe de camarones, Escribano, Rocoto relleno, and Queso helado are just a few of the wonderful creations that have come out of Arequipa’s kitchens, and many people travel there only for the experience of trying its food (beautiful sightseeing becomes an added bonus). I haven’t been to Arequipa in many years. I vacationed there with my family several times as a little girl, and was maybe 10 or 11 on our last visit. I can still remember the breathtaking natural beauty, the lovely white buildings and monasteries, and the special feeling of being out of the chaos of Lima for a few days. There is one more thing I never forgot from Arequipa, and I see it as a perfect example of the mysteries of selective memory. I was not a vegetarian the last time I was there, but out of everything I ate, there was one dish I could never forget despite never having eaten it again. I never even forgot it’s name either: Cauche de queso. I honestly don’t know what’s so special about this appetizer. OK, I admit I have always loved cheese more than the average person, so maybe the fact that this dish was covered in semi-melted cheese (the way I like it best) had something to do with it. Whatever it was, this new and juicier way of eating potatoes and cheese in a hot plate mixed with a succulent tomato sauce, was something I could never forget. Is there a dish you tried as a kid and could never forget?