Tacu tacu is a classic Peruvian dish made with rice and lentils. It is a flavorful and versatile dish that can be served as a main course or a side dish. In this article, we will explore two variations of tacu tacu: the traditional version and a modern vegetarian version.
The traditional tacu tacu is made with cooked rice, lentils, and a sofrito made with onions, garlic, and tomatoes. The rice and lentils are cooked separately, then combined and fried until crispy. The sofrito is added to the rice and lentils and cooked until the flavors have melded. The modern vegetarian version of tacu tacu uses quinoa instead of rice. Quinoa is a gluten-free grain that is high in protein and fiber. The quinoa is cooked with lentils and a sofrito, then combined and fried until crispy. Both versions of tacu tacu are served with a fried egg and aji sauce. Aji sauce is a spicy Peruvian sauce made with chili peppers, onions, and garlic.
PERUVIAN RICE AND LENTILS (TACU TACU)
Provided by Lillian Chou
Categories Rice Side Fry Sauté Dinner Lentil Potluck Gourmet Sugar Conscious Kidney Friendly Vegan Vegetarian Pescatarian Dairy Free Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher
Yield Makes 8 (side dish) servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Bring lentils, 5 cups water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil in a heavy medium saucepan, then simmer, uncovered, until lentils are just tender, 12 to 25 minutes (depending on age of lentils). Drain, then transfer to a large bowl.
- Meanwhile, cook 1 teaspoon garlic in 1tablespoon oil in another heavy medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring, 1 minute. Add rice and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add remaining 2 1/4 cups water and 1 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil, then cook, covered, over low heat 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 10 minutes. Stir rice from top to bottom with a rubber spatula, then stir into lentils.
- While rice stands, sautéonion and remaining teaspoon garlic in 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch heavy nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until onion is golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in chile paste and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir onion mixture into rice mixture.
- Heat remaining 1/4 cup oil in skillet over medium heat until hot. Add rice mixture and fry, gently flattening with a spatula, until a golden-brown crust forms on underside, about 3 minutes. Stir rice and fry, flattening it, until a crust forms on underside again, about 3 minutes more. Repeat frying and stirring until bits of crust are dispersed throughout, about 9 minutes more (about 15 minutes total frying time).
- What to drink:
- Concha y Toro Terrunyo Casablanca Valley Sauvignon Blanc '07
PERUVIAN RICE AND LENTILS (TACU TACU)
Versions of this casual dish are found throughout Peru, often crowned with a steak and a fried egg. Cooks flip the mixture of beans and rice frequently while it fries so that the exterior develops a crisp, browned crust. From Gourmet magazine.
Provided by Pinay0618
Categories Rice
Time 1h20m
Yield 8 side dish servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Bring lentils, 5 cups water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil in a heavy medium saucepan, then simmer, uncovered, until lentils are just tender, 12 to 25 minutes (depending on age of lentils). Drain, then transfer to a large bowl.
- Meanwhile, cook 1 teaspoon garlic in 1tablespoon oil in another heavy medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring, 1 minute. Add rice and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add remaining 2 1/4 cups water and 1 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil, then cook, covered, over low heat 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 10 minutes. Stir rice from top to bottom with a rubber spatula, then stir into lentils.
- While rice stands, sautéonion and remaining teaspoon garlic in 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch heavy nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until onion is golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in chile paste and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir onion mixture into rice mixture.
- Heat remaining 1/4 cup oil in skillet over medium heat until hot. Add rice mixture and fry, gently flattening with a spatula, until a golden-brown crust forms on underside, about 3 minutes. Stir rice and fry, flattening it, until a crust forms on underside again, about 3 minutes more. Repeat frying and stirring until bits of crust are dispersed throughout, about 9 minutes more (about 15 minutes total frying time).
PERUVIAN RICE AND LENTILS (TACU TACU)
Gourmet May 2009, Versions of this casual dish are found throughout Peru, often crowned with a steak and a fried egg. Cooks flip the mixture of beans and rice frequently while it fries so that the exterior develops a crisp, browned crust. We've simplified the technique, but have no fear-you will still end up with lots of delectable crunchy bits. Although it is served here as a side dish, tacu tacu also makes a satisfying vegetarian supper alongside a green salad. http://www.gourmet.com/recipes/2000s/2009/05/peruvian-rice-and-lentils
Provided by Queen Dana
Categories Rice
Time 45m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Bring lentils, 5 cups water, and 1/2 tsp salt to a boil in a heavy medium saucepan, then simmer, uncovered, until lentils are just tender, 12 to 25 minutes (depending on age of lentils). Drain, then transfer to a large bowl.
- Meanwhile, cook 1 tsp garlic in 1 Tbsp oil in another heavy medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring, 1 minute. Add rice and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add remaining 2 1/4 cups water and 1 tsp salt and bring to a boil, then cook, covered, over low heat 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 10 minutes. Stir rice from top to bottom with a rubber spatula, then stir into lentils.
- While rice stands, sauté onion and remaining tsp garlic in 1 Tbsp oil in a 12-inch heavy nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until onion is golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in chile paste and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir onion mixture into rice mixture.
- Heat remaining 1/4 cup oil in skillet over medium heat until hot. Add rice mixture and fry, gently flattening with a spatula, until a golden-brown crust forms on underside, about 3 minutes. Stir rice and fry, flattening it, until a crust forms on underside again, about 3 minutes more. Repeat frying and stirring until bits of crust are dispersed throughout, about 9 minutes more (about 15 minutes total frying time).
Nutrition Facts : Calories 263.8, Fat 10.6, SaturatedFat 1.4, Sodium 9.5, Carbohydrate 34, Fiber 7.8, Sugar 0.9, Protein 8
Tips:
- To make perfect tacu tacu, use day-old rice. Freshly cooked rice will be too moist and will not hold together well.
- Use any type of lentils you like. Brown lentils, black lentils, and green lentils are all good choices.
- Add some chopped vegetables to the tacu tacu for extra flavor and nutrition. Bell peppers, onions, and carrots are all good options.
- Serve tacu tacu with a fried egg, avocado, or salsa for a complete meal.
Conclusion:
Tacu tacu is a delicious and versatile Peruvian dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is a great way to use up leftover rice and lentils, and it is also a budget-friendly meal. So next time you are looking for a tasty and easy dish to make, give tacu tacu a try!
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