May 2017 – Mucha Ale

May 29, 2017 / 0 Comments

Peruvian national potato day

Hello friendlies. How are you? I hope you had a lovely weekend. I must confess that due to a personal side project and managing my new job, this week’s post will not have a recipe. However, this week has a very special date and that is National Potato Day (in Peru). While the official date to commemorate this amazing starchy, tuberous crop is on May 30th, I say we celebrate all week long. Español aquí.

The cutie in this photo is a huayro potato. In case you want some ideas for how to eat potatoes this week, here are two recipes to inspire you. Have a lovely week!

Peruvian Stuffed Causa	Homemade Mashed potatoes

May 26, 2017 / 0 Comments

Five things I learned after starting a new job in my 30s

I could fill a or two with book with ramblings about my life lessons. But for now I’ll leave you with five things I’ve re-learned after beginning a new job at 31. I’ll start by saying that being a newbie at this age is different. I’m not a youthful and bright eyed twenty something person anymore. But I’m never above learning. I am grateful for the blessings in my life and the people who surround me. Español aquí.

I hope these five short tips help you as they did me. I have a little over a month now, but I still come back to them to find some balance in my life. Making time for sports is my biggest challenge for now. ¡Here we go!

1. Watch and learn
The best advice I received was to get to know my surrounding during the first two weeks. It sounds simple enough, but as a fairly proactive and outspoken person, it was a challenge to curb my enthusiasm. It was a great tip. After two weeks of observation, I was able to make more meaningful contributions.

2. Plan out the things that make you go faster
Whether it’s your lunch, your outfit, or your route to work, planning out the little things can help you get to where you need faster. The times I made my lunch in advance, I had more time for other morning activities and of course I was healthier. Knowing what I was going to wear also helped me be ready on time. I’m a work in progress, but it’s a start.

3. Make friends
No man is an island, and I’m no exception. Get to know the people you work with in a respectful and professional way. You will probably spend most of your day with them and it will help break the ice and make for a better collaboration.

4. Plan out your time off
Peru has an eight hour a day work schedule which is seldom respected by companies, expanding it to about ten hours a day. This leaves little time for me time. Make the most of your time off by making plans for those things you want to do like take a course or see friends. You will have something to look forward to.

5. Dont neglect yourself
You are your most important asset so ensure you feel like your best self. In my case, I look my best when I feel my best. Feeling good means sleeping well and working out. I’m worth it, aren’t you?

Photos: Pixabay | Mucha Ale

May 23, 2017 / 0 Comments

Recipe: Chicken and veggie food preparation | Easy to Make

My patience was tested. It all started with malware, but the story about why I didn’t post on Monday will have to wait for another post. Today I’m just happy to share this recipe for my first food preparation with chicken and vegetables for five days. Obviously I could make it for more days, but can we go little by little? Español aquí.

As I shared with you, or maybe I dreamt that I did, I started working again in April and from the first day I knew that lunch would be an issue. I’m quite used to living (mostly) without rice, eating lots of vegetables. But this is not normal food in Lima. I also don’t have time to make a wholesome meal every day. Solution, make lunch in advance. I promise you it keeps well in the refrigerator. If you do not mind eating the same thing five days in a row, follow my lead.

Ingredients
1 ½ kilo of boneless chicken breast
3 large carrots, peeled and diced
Zucchini or eggplant, peeled and diced
Salt and pepper
Olive oil

Preparation
Clean and cut the chicken into medium pieces.

Salt and pepper.

Cook in water over low heat.

Set aside.

Cook the vegetables in water or steam.

Set aside.

Add to containers and let it cool.

Freeze what you will eat in two days or more, and bring down to the refrigerator what you will eat the next day to thaw.

Makes 5 servings.

May 19, 2017 / 0 Comments

Day off

Hello friends. See you on Monday. I couldn’t post today, but don’t forget to be active. I send you a hug! Español aquí.

May 15, 2017 / 0 Comments

Recipe: Peruvian style pork chicharron

Wouldn’t it be great if the weekend was longer than the weekdays. I sigh. Meanwhile, I’m very excited to share this week’s post for Peruvian style pork chicharrones. It can also be described as Braised and Fried Pork. However you call it, it’s a very filling breakfast we enjoy in Peru, mostly served within a bread bun and with fried slices of sweet potatoes and a sauce of onion rings bathed in lemon and salt. Español aquí.

This was the first time I made it (I made an Instagram promise). I used a pancetta pork cut and, for the video, ½ kilo of pork. Of course you can choose a leaner pork cut with less fat. I hope to try it again soon. Its very easy to make, but I didn’t label it with the “easy to make” recipes because cooking it in water took quite a long time. I can’t lie to you.