Papa a la Huancaína
Boiled yellow potatoes blanketed in a creamy, mildly spiced Huancaína sauce made from ají amarillo, queso fresco, and evaporated milk.
About This Recipe
Papa a la Huancaína is the appetiser that defines Peruvian cuisine's genius for simple perfection. Boiled potatoes — Peru's gift to the world — blanketed in a vibrant, creamy sauce made from ají amarillo, fresh cheese, and evaporated milk, it is colourful, flavourful, and effortlessly impressive. Said to have been created by a woman from Huancayo who fed railway workers building the Lima–Huancayo line.
Ingredients
Serves 4
- 6 mediumyellow potatoes(boiled and sliced)
- 200 gqueso fresco or feta(crumbled)
- 3 tbspají amarillo paste
- 150 mlevaporated milk
- 2 tbspvegetable oil
- 2 soda crackerssaltine or soda crackers(to thicken)
- 1 clovegarlic
- 1 tspturmeric
- 4black olives(to garnish)
- 2hard-boiled eggs(to garnish)
- 4 leaveslettuce(to serve)
Instructions
- 1
Blend sauce
Blend queso fresco, ají amarillo paste, evaporated milk, oil, garlic, turmeric, and crackers until smooth and creamy.
- 2
Season
Season with salt. Add more ají paste for heat, more milk to thin.
- 3
Plate
Arrange lettuce on a plate. Top with potato slices.
- 4
Dress and garnish
Pour sauce over potatoes. Garnish with halved eggs and olives.
Pro Tips
- →
The sauce should be pourable but thick — crackers are the traditional thickener.
Variations
- •
Add sliced avocado on the side
- •
Make the sauce spicier with more ají
- •
Use sweet potato instead of yellow potato
Storage
Sauce keeps refrigerated up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature and stir before serving.
History & Origin
Legend holds that papa a la Huancaína was created in the late 19th century by a woman from Huancayo who sold the dish to railway workers. The name honours her origins. The recipe spread to Lima and across Peru, becoming a national staple.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the sauce ahead?
Yes — store in the fridge up to 2 days. Thin with a little milk before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving · 4 servings total
Time Summary
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