BOLIVIA - Desserts in the desert

On our way to the  south , at an oldrailway junction town - Oruro we had time for a quick bite before getting on our 13 hour train journey to the 'Wild West' town of Tupiza (famous for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid). We stepped past the armed security guard on the door to  a very grand restaurant - Nayjama.  We had a delicious meal here (very unexpected in this desert town!), Dean had the biggest piece of lamb you'ver ever seen!

High class dining in Oruro - Nayjama Restaurant

Also managed to pick up a few recipes for the local produce Quinoa.

QUINOA
Bolivia is the world's largest producer of the supergrain Quinoa. It's  grown in this part of the country due to it's ability to withstand semi arid deserts and the nightly frosts. Did you know Quinoa has 15% more protein than wheat and maize?


Flans
The Bolivians are very much in to flans as deserts. It's not what we would call a flan as in a sponge with fruit and jelly, but more like an egg custard/creme caramel type pudding. Nayjama had recipe cards on the back of their menu's for some of their specialities, so here they are. (Roughly translated from Spanish, so hope they're allright!)

Recipe for Flan de Quinoa

1 cup of evaporated milk

5 eggs

1 3/4 cups of granulated sugar

3/4 cup of ground quinoa (soaked and drained) 

drop of vanilla (if you like)

1. Caramelise 1 cup of sugar by allowing it to dissolve in a pan (until liquid) and pour in to the small dishes (or one large dish).

2. In a bowl, place the milk, eggs, quinoa, and remaining sugar, beat well until the sugar has dissolved.

3. Pour this mixture into the dishes, cover well with foil and place in  a shallow dish of temperate water (ban marie) in the oven at about 170 C for 45 mins – 1 hour or until set.

4. Chill completely in fridge.

5. To serve, either slice and spoon a little of the caramel sauce on top, or serve in individual dishes.

Quinoa albondigas (Meatballs)

1 cup of quinoa (cooked)

250g minced beef

2 eggs

1 small onion

1 clove of garlic

Pinch of ground pepper and salt

Pinch of oregano

Roughly chopped parsley

Bread crumbs

Oil

1. In a bowl place the quinoa, mince, salt, pepper, oregano, parsley, breadcrumbs and garlic and mix together. 

2. Beat the eggs and add to the mix with your hands.

3. Form in to balls and fry in hot oil.

4. Serve wth rice and a tomato sauce or salad.

For veggie alternative, just leave out the mince.