Causa Anybody?

Causa is one of the many typical peruvian dishes I will want to share with you in my blog. It is probably one of my favourites foods.

For the causa:

Yellow potatoes
Ají amarillo (hot chili pepper paste)
Vegetable oil
Lime juice
Salt and pepper

Quantities will vary depending on how many you are making (individual or a big one). I normally use a cheesecake ring which serves 12 (but really 6, because everyone and hear me right, will be having seconds!)

For the filling:

2 avocados
Tuna mixed with mayonnaise, lime juice and diced onion.

Garnish:

1 fresh ají amarillo, seeded, deveined and diced
Black olives, pitted
Shrimp (for decoration)
Diced onion, parsely and aji marinated in lime juice, salt and pepper

Boil potatoes with salt,cook until tender. Once done, mash them by pressing them with a fork or a potato ricer.

Working with your hands, add vegetable oil, ají, lime juice, salt and pepper to taste. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.

Line the base of the mold with a layer of the potato and then spoon in a layer of the tuna mixture. Add another layer of potato and then a layer of sliced avocado sprinkled with a little lime juice and salt. Finish off with a layer of the potato mixture and garnish.

I would recommend not to let the potato cool too much before mashing it. It is easier to handle warm.

This is something I get asked for ALL THE TIME. The tangy flavor of the lime juice mixed with the potatoes, the touch of hotness, tuna and avocado is a mix that will leave you asking for more and more......make it once and you will become an addict.

So, Causa Anybody?