Sus-something de what now…? I wasn’t entirely sure what I was ordering, given that it was my first day in Lima and still determined to fake my way through speaking Spanish. Reader: I do not speak Spanish. But when the affable server with the dessert tray—the most affable kind of server there is—pointed at a jar of what would seem to be butterscotch pudding and declared it “típico de Lima,” that was good enough for me. I’d just completed back-to-back overnight flights to arrive at this particular cevicheria, and it was nothing short of a balm for the travel-weary to indulge in a childhood comfort while still earning points for authentic food tourism.
Peru: The Cookbook, $34.87 on Amazon
An excellent gift for the foodie in your life that can't stop talking about Machu Picchu.
But that first bite was no Proustian-level nostalgic moment. That was a revelation. A very threshold was thereby crossed; two eras of my life, before and after. I would have it again, had to have it again, before the day was through. Sweet and sonnet-worthy, Suspiro de Limeña is what happens when pastry chefs and poets get together.
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First, the poetry, and unpacking this unusual name. Amparo Ayarza, wife of Peruvian poet Jose Galvez, is credited with the dessert’s creation in the mid nineteenth century. Galvez himself, evidently a gastronome and a romantic, gave it its lyrical title. “Suspiro de Limeña” translated means “sigh of the lady.” Specifically, sigh of the lady fromLima, but if I have my way, ladies and gentlemen the world over would have equal and ample opportunity to swoon about it.
And swoon-worthy it is. Butterscotch pudding does not do it justice, for the base is more silk than custard, and more richly flavored and nuanced than anything that might come with a peel-off lid. The base is indeed a typical Latin American preparation, a variation on manjar blanco or blancmange, a custard of caramelized sweet milk and eggs, similar to a thickened dulce de leche.
The topping is where this humble dessert goes from pedestrian to poetry, adorned by shiny peaks of meringue spiked with port wine. At once decorative and heady, giving an ethereal quality to an otherwise deceptively simple preparation. A dusting of cinnamon completes the dish, a whiff of sweet smoke and spice to revive the languid lady.
Where to Find Suspiro de Limeña—and How to Make It
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I would seek out Suspiro de Limeña several times more before my days in Peru were up. You, too, can seek it whether in Lima or at Peruvian restaurants outside of Peru, from Brooklyn’sSurfishto San Francisco’sLa Costanera.
What’s more, you can easily make it yourself inside of a half hour, with just a handful of staple ingredients. Even a tawny port should be available at the most remote wine sellers.
Apple cider is the perfect thing to sip during fall—warm or cold, spiked or straight—but these sweet and savory apple cider recipes prove it’s also great for cooking with in every course. (A neat trick to pull for your next fall dinner party.)
If you can get local cider from a farmers’ market or other source, that’s always preferable for the best flavor, but (more so for the savory recipes) be sure you’re buying plain cider, not spiced.
Brining a turkey ensures perfectly moist meat and our recipe includes 2 cups of apple cider in the mix to help infuse the bird with flavor. Be sure to thaw the turkey with plenty of time to spare, and see our tips on how to cook turkey for more pointers. Since the turkey’s so juicy, you can save the cream gravy for your mashed potatoes. Get our Brined Turkey with Cream Gravy recipe.
Pork and apples (in every form) are perfect partners, so our tender pork loin’s creamy sauce contains both nonalcoholic apple cider and very alcoholic apple brandy. The sweet cippolini onions and salty pancetta pair beautifully with all the warm, rich flavors too. Get our Pork Tenderloin with Apple Cider Calvados Cream Sauce recipe.
There are lots of secret chili ingredients out there, apple cider vinegar being one of them, but why not try actual apple cider when it’s abundant in fall? Fresh apples end up in the pot too (but beans do not). Get the Apple Cider Chili recipe.
Apples can even work with seafood, like sweet, tender scallops. Gastrique sounds super fancy, but it’s basically just a savory caramel sauce—and here, it’s made by simply cooking down apple cider until it’s more like a glaze. Get the Scallops with Apple Cider Gastrique recipe.
To bridge the gap between savory and sweet, we love apple butter. Our recipe calls for tart green apples, 2 cups of apple cider, warm spices, sugar, and vanilla. You cook it in a Dutch oven for several hours (but you can also make it in a Crock-Pot), and then the possibilities are practically endless. Get our Apple Butter recipe.
Making caramel isn’t as scary as you might think, and these soft, chewy caramel candies are infused with apple cider and warm spices for a classic old-fashioned treat that never goes out of style. Get the Apple Cider Caramels recipe.
This easy cake is full of sliced Granny Smith apples, cinnamon, and heavy cream—and has a full cup of apple cider in the batter too. The sweet-tart glaze has another cup of cider in it for extra apple goodness, but both times, the cider is reduced to intensify its flavor and make it a bit more syrupy. Get the New England Apple Cider Cake recipe.
Fear of frying? These easy apple cider doughnut holes from Jessie Sheehan are fantastic, and make use of your mini muffin pan. Reduced apple cider, cinnamon, sugar, nutmeg, and vanilla make them taste like fall; a dip in melted butter makes them taste like fried doughnuts. Get the Easy Apple Cider Donut Hole recipe.
Want to change up your pumpkin pie routine? Our pumpkin chiffon pie has a much lighter, airier texture than the usual dense custard, and calls for a bit of apple cider (or bourbon) in both the spiced filling and the fluffy whipped cream topping. It’s all cradled in an easy press-in vanilla cookie crust. Get our Pumpkin Chiffon Pie recipe.
This breakfast casserole is honestly sweet and rich enough for dessert (especially if you add a scoop of vanilla ice cream), and it’s designed to be prepped the day before. The bread soaks in a custard of apple cider, buttermilk, vanilla, and cinnamon overnight, and is then layered with apples and dulce de leche before baking. Serve while still warm and gooey, whatever time of day you eat it. Get our Caramel Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Casserole recipe.
We can’t neglect cider-based libations, of course. Warm apple drinks are wonderful, but cold, crisp ones make for great fall cocktails too. For this one, you combine sweet cider and smoky mezcal with a dash of orange liqueur. The glass is rimmed with an autumnal mix of cinnamon, sugar, and allspice—basically, everything nice. Get the Honeycrisp Crush Apple Cocktail recipe.
That said, if you need something toasty to ward off a chill, try this take on the hot toddy with unfiltered apple cider, honey syrup, dark rum, and a little of the acquired-taste liqueur, Fernet-Branca. Get our Fernet Apple Hot Toddy recipe.
Fernet Branca, $18.98+ on Drizly
This Italian herb and spice liqueur is pretty bitter, but apple cider and honey help it go down easy.
Nothing beats experience. We go way beyond the Michelin guide and tasting menus to find the world’s best food and drink experiences to gift your loved ones (or yourself) this holiday season.
Finding the perfect gift, especially for a food fanatic, can be tricky. There’s a good chance they’ve been to most of the best restaurants in town and have all the kitchen gizmos and gadgets they could possibly need. But fear not—sometimes the best gift of all isn’t athingthey can unwrap but rather an amazing food experience they’ll never forget.
Tapas Time10 Insider Tips for a Barcelona First-TimerAs every corner of the world becomes more and more accessible through technology and increasingly affordable transportation options, experiential travel is less the exception and more the rule for many. It’s no longer good enough just to taste that Burgandy or Iberico ham. Seeing where it’s made and establishing a personal connection to our favorite foods and drinks has become equally important and industry leaders have taken note.
From hospitality groups to restaurants, travel technology, and even museums; brands have been capitalizing on the growing demand for unique, exciting (and social media-friendly) food and drink experiences. We’ve rounded up some of the most amazing offerings among them—from the affordable to the extravagant—to gift your friends and family this year.
Maggot-infested cheese? Bull testicle? Sheep eyeball? A disgusting meal is truly in the eye of the beholder, and this freaky food experience proves it. The exhibit has a permanent home in Malmö, Sweden but is often on the move with limited engagements in cities like Las Vegas and Nantes, France (see here for more info). The exhibit, created by psychologist Dr. Samuel West, features foods that may seem unfamiliar, and perhaps even grotesque, but despite a sensational name aims to expand the idea of what’s acceptable to eat, and educate visitors about alternative and eco-friendly food sources. Visitors to the exhibit can see, smell, and even taste such items as Peruvian Frog Smoothies and Chinese Mouse Wine at the grand finale tasting bar (yikes….or yum?)!See It
How would you like to set sail on an intimate food journey with a James Beard-selected chef sharing his or her cooking and culinary know-how and ingredient-shopping secrets along the way? On various culinary-themed cruises throughout the year and across various regions, these chefs will be aboard a series of Windstar Cruises (official cruise partner of the James Beard Foundation), sharing their passion for local cultures and cuisine inspired by local ingredients. Most cruises are accompanied by a beverage expert (like a rum master in the Caribbean) as well. Fewer than 310 passengers per voyage ensures plenty of interaction and no lines. Specialty cruises run from as close as the Windward Islands to as far away as Tahiti!See It
Celebrating 111 years, Dukes of London is truly a stalwart of one of the great drinking cities of the world. The historic hotel bar is home to some of the world’s best (and most expensive) martinis, and upon request, guests can receive a special Martini Masterclass hosted by legendary barkeep Alessandro Palazzi, who has been shaking cocktails there for over a decade! Palazzi will guide wannabe mixologists through the history and art of the martini, including the nuances involved in choosing an ideal gin or vodka, through to the perfect finishing garnishes. Guests enjoy canapes during their class; a minimum of four persons are required for booking.See It
The Kentucky Bourbon Trail is a freeform, often self-guided and days-long tour of the 13 bourbon distilleries in Kentucky. Each distillery, like Maker’s Mark, Jim Beam, Buffalo Trace, have their own unique tour and tasting experience, and you can do the trail in whichever order you want. To keep track of where you’ve been and where you haven’t (considering all that drinking) you might want to bring along this sharp leather Kentucky Bourbon Trail passport which you can have personalized for the Bourbon trailblazer in your life.See It
Looking to rub elbows with some of the world’s best chefs like Tyler Florence, José Enrique, and Eric Ripert? For one incredible weekend in October, the Ritz Carlton Dorado Beach—consistently ranked one of the world’s best resorts—hosts a spectacular culinary weekend with chefs of both local and international fame, who flash their wares in cooking demos, tasting parties, seated dinners and more.
For the past several years the inimitable José Andrés—who has been instrumental in feeding displaced Puerto Ricans during and after Hurrican Maria—has helmed and headlined the weekend. If you go, be prepared to be surprised as you mix and mingle with these culinary giants with personality a-plenty. When the wine starts flowing, so do the stories, and hey, you might even catch Jimmy Fallon singing an impromptu duet with chef Andrés.
The food is a wonderful mix of local cuisine made by some of the island’s top chefs, and food prepared by the international superstars, like this year’s seaside paella lunch with Chef Andres or pulled pork Arepas prepared fresh by Chef Lorena Garcia. Tickets start at $1,900 per night, which is no chump change but includes some of the most luxurious lodgings and thoughtful hospitality you’ll find anywhere in the world. Check back for an announcement on the dates, lineup, and schedule of events for the Culinary Getaway 2020.See It
Food tours are by no means a new thing but they’ve certainly gotten better over the years. Since Airbnb launched its experiences a few years ago this tapas tour of Barcelona’s incredible gothic neighborhood called “Tapalicious” has racked up a near-perfect 4.9 out of 5 stars in over 500 user reviews. There are countless food-based experiences to book through Airbnb in just about every major city on earth so be sure to check them out during your next adventure.See It
For the quaint of heart, you can gift a stay at a secluded waterfront cottage on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, where owner and local Pamela Barefoot will personally teach you how to catch and cook blue crabs from the dock that abuts the cozy home. For crabbing, Barefoot says the best season is June through September.See It
For the bacon-lover who can handle a knife (and isn’t squeamish), gift a butchering class like the one at Philadelphia’sKensington Quarters(two locations), where the kitchen team shows amateurs expert techniques for carving the various cuts and how to cook them.The restaurant takes care of booze and food with an open bar as well as charcuterie and snacks. Folks even get sample cuts of pork to take home—a total steal at just $35 dollars per person. And don’t worry, this little piggy has already met his maker by the time you get there.See It
Ever craved a gentle giraffe kiss while you were noshing your morning eggs and toast? Of course you have! At this outrageously charming hybrid inn and animal sanctuary in Kenya, you can live the dream. As guests eat their morning breakfast, giraffes, who freely roam the grounds alongside other exotic animals, sidle up expecting attention—and snacks, of course. Just watchthis videoand immediately book a stay for a VERY special someone in your life.See It
Thomas Keller is America’s most Michelin decorated chef. In this in-depth tutorial on Masterclass, he’ll walk you through some of the techniques that made his restaurants like Per Se and French Laundry so iconic. Specifically, this masterclass dives into the preparation of fish and seafood, how to sous vide and some of Keller’s favorite desserts. Pair this masterclass with a sous vide stick for a perfectly themed gift.See It
This is a surprisingly little-known secret among folks living in and visiting Chicago—a city known for its tall buildings and deep pizza. At Skydeck Chicago, the towering observation deck atop 110-story Willis Tower, you can snag an incredible three-course, two-hour deep dish pizza dinner with sweeping (perhaps nauseating) views of the city and mouth-watering grub delivered by the iconic Giordano’s, who have been making the good stuff since 1974. Make sure to book well in advance as they generally have just four slots per night, and be sure the recipient isn’t afraid of heights!See It
New York’s Tipsy Scoop has been making liquor-infused ice cream for some years now, much to the delight of, well, just about everyone, and now offers boozy ice cream making classes in their East Harlem production facility. At lively classes, held twice a week, you’ll learn how to make the more popular boozy ice cream flavors, like dark chocolate whiskey salted caramel and bourbon vanilla, as well as build ice cream sundaes—and of course, take home two of the pints you make in an insulated tote! Gift certificates available.See It
All the fun and know-how of a private cooking class from world-class chefs, in the privacy of your home or apartment. The Chef & The Dish brings Michelin-level culinary masters into your kitchen via video chat, from places as far away as Italy, Japan, Singapore, Spain, New Orleans, Turkey, Thailand, and more. Cost for classes for two starts at $299, plus $50 for each additional person, making a 4-person class as little as $100 per person.See It
Related Video: DIY Holiday Gifts—Insta-infusions
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