This month’s challenge at Creative Cooking Group is nothing more than the ever-loving meat and potatoes.
The Causa is a traditional Peruvian dish made from potatoes which is served cold adding different fillings. I decided on using white, purple and sweet potatoes as I could not find the yellow potato which is mostly used.
My take on this wonderful and beautiful dish is adding the Steak Tartare instead of the typical chicken, tuna, shrimp, crab…endless fillings, which I have had many times.
My love for Peruvian cooking grows and grows through the years. One of my favorite is Gaston’s La Mar Cevicheria Peruana in San Francisco and now in New York.
I hope his year my dream is to visit this beautiful country will come true…to be able to go to Gaston’s school, if only for a visit, traveling around seeing the sights, tasting their delicacies and to meet a few fellow bloggers who I follow.
The main ingredients for the potatoes are lime, vegetable oil, aji amarillo paste and salt/pepper to taste. Boil potatoes in salted water. Peel and mash while hot. Let cool and mix with ingredients.
Molding: layer potato, the tartare, then another layer of the potato and unmold. Adding garnishes like boiled eggs, avocado, olives with my addition of cilantro vinaigrette and some extra aji amarillo.
Please note that this is my take on the traditional recipe.
For the Steak Tartare I adapted from Emeril Lagasse leaving out the raw egg yolk and adding a spicier mustard. It worked well.
Taste test: Husband approved!
BUEN PROVECHO!
platanosmangoes.com 
very cool – well done!
Bravissimo! Love the concept, presentation, decorating, garnishes. Now that’s creative!! Very well done, amiga.
I remember sitting on the patio outside of La Mar with you and Joan. These renditions of a classic dish are brilliant..in colour too.
I do too Val…that’s when we met!
Normal you’ve outdone yourself. What stunning artistry. I love the movement of the plate, the colors, the composition, and it’s FUN! wowee.
Thanks so much Angela…I had fun making it….
Norma, I am so fortunate to be your friend and to live nearby you. The Causa Limeña & Steak Tartare that you dropped off for me to try was as exquisite to eat as it was beautiful to look at. I find myself feeling that I have had one of the most memorable meals that I will have had in my lifetime and it is in need of an auspicious occasion to be associated with…”Presidents Day” will never just be a day off again. Obama should call to thank you. 🙂
Wow Carlos. I am touched.
Obama is a little busy so I am thanking you both in his stead. First to Carlos for your eloquent praise of Norma’s passionate creation and then to Norma for her commitment to push her talent to new heights. Best to you both!
So colorful, Norma! I hope your dream to visit and learn more about Peruvian cooking comes true. This is just beautiful!
Oh wow! This looks so good. Just terrific — the whole idea of this meal. Sending you good thoughts! xoxo
wow…can’t believe these are made with potatoes. They look terrific!
That is possibly the most joyous plate I have ever seen. I so wish I good find purple potatoes–they are just such fun to look at. Love this whole meal. Thanks for sharing!
Norma, so pretty! Every post you write introduces me to a dish I’ve never seen or heard of before, thank you! x
Beautiful dish! I also have never heard or seen before…very creative!
The presentation is phenomenal – it looks like a painting, only thing i miss; not being able to be one of the Tester. I love your Tuna Tartare so I can just imagine. Its all good. Sending lots of positive energy your way & hope that U do get to visit Peru. (I might sneak into your suitcase)…lol
whimsical eatery! love it.
At first glance it looks like dessert. Well executed presentation to make for a truly orgasmic experience of the pallet.
Norma, the Causas look fantastic, I like how the purple one looks, so colorful. Yes, the most common is with yellow potatoes, but that’s because here is very common and easy to find.
Hope you can come down to Peru…just let me know…!!!
This is a work of art Norma! Beautiful!
How absolutely gorgeous – I love the colours and the flavours. Gorgeous
I guess we were both in a starry mood this month! Your dish reminds me of a Tim Burton dream… just wonderful, fanciful and visually creative… bet it tastes great too… great job!
Norma, what a beautiful dish!! I love that you did a variation of a traditional Peruvian dish, although I’m sure yours is much more colorful and even more delicious!
This dish looks almost too pretty to eat! Like a piece of art.
So pretty, like a painting on the plate.
love the brilliant colors! creative and delicious, i’d love to have this on my plate 🙂
Norma! This was my favorite of the bunch. There was lots of brown there (mine included). But not yours. Colorful. Creative. And inventive. Brava!
Lori Lynn
Lori coming from you is a great compliment…Thanks!!!!!
This is a work of art, love it!