The only new foods that I´ve eaten while in Cusco are tied to my new love for quinoa.

On my first day, I wandered into an organic restaurant that had a quinoa soup, flavored with chicken. Pretty good! Soon I realized that soup is a consistent course in Cusco meals.  It must be the colder climate.

A few days later, I had beef heart. By accident and a lack of proper English translation on the menu at the restuarant, I ordered antichucho, which I thought was some sort of cut of beef (though not an organ) that was skewered and grilled, served with quinoa risotto and steamed veggies and potato chips.

When I got served, everything looked great!  I am always excited to try new food. I cut into the first slab of meat and took a bite.  Hmmmm, a bit dry and gamey.  Not sure what to make of it. Then it hit me like a Naked Lunch moment. I ordered beef heart- a Peruvian national dish.  The only other time I had beef heart was at Incanto, with the Le Colonial chef, for the ´Head to Tail´organ meat dinner - and that was heart carpaccio.

I wasn´t gonna run away and refuse to eat anymore, but I had definitely had to figure out how to eat this with any measure pleasure. I found it in the quinoa.  Whereas it wasn´t anything close to real risotto, it did have a nice creamy consistancy and was able to hide the gamey dryness of the heart.  All in all, I was glad to eat this, but I don´t think I will ever order it again.