Side Dish

About 5 years ago in TV Guide there was something delicious from South America from a fine Mexican American dish. Randy Vasquez ought to come back where he belongs or at least where we can see him on a regular basis. He did great honour to the Marine uniform he filled. Here's the dish he brought to TV Guide in June of 2001 along with a picture we stole from his pre-military days on JAG.

Peruvian Potato Salad

2 1/2 tbsp peanut oil
1/2 onion, chopped
1 clove of garlic, chopped
1/2 cup roasted, unsalted peanuts, without skin
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup crumbled ricotta salata
[there must have been a Sicilian Peruvian in the kitchen that day]
1 fresh jalapeno, seeded and quartered
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp tumeric
1 1/2 lbs boiling potatoes -- boiled, peeled and sliced into 1/2 inch rounds
1/3 lb grilled chicken, diced

1. Saute the onion and garlic in the peanut oil for five minutes.
2. Transfer to a blender
3. Add remaining ingredients except potatoes & chicken and blend until smooth
4. Spoon the sauce over the potatoes and top with chicken.

This is for six normal people or three unruly TV fans who love latin men. Pookie and Nurse Betty suggested that this might work with Rigatoni as a substitute for the potatoes.