CARAMBA | LATIN FEASTS

When it's cold and damp outside the best plan is to dive into one the huge array of Latin American restaurants, bars, pop-ups, stalls, shops and general eateries that have popped up in abundance across London in the last twelve months or so. 

Growing chains like Barrio, Wahaca, La Bodega Negra are all good bets. For a quick but equally delicious Latin American treat check out some of the amazing street stalls such as Anna Maes (set to be at Feast, Tobacco Dock this weekend), Churros Garcia is a winner for a quick sweet treat and the ever popular and familiar colourful trucks full of tasty that are Luardos. If you're craving a burrito then this website will help too.

Crazy Homies on Westbourne Grove is, in my opinion, the most fun mexican around and the capirinhas at Brazilian restaurant Barraca in Kilburn are to die for. If a good Argentinian steak's your thing then check out Buen Ayre on Broadway Market and for good Colombian food check out Santafreno in Brixton market. The opening of Sushi Samba, the first branch of the American chain, which fuses Brazilian, Peruvian and Japanese, in Heron Tower in July - doing a happy dance as I type this!  

Crazy Homies

In the Seven Sisters Indoor Market in Tottenham you'll find a great range of authentic Latin American stores. South of the river, get your fill of Latin American products at La Bodeguita in Elephant Castle. It also has a restaurant which is a good laugh. The list of places to visit could be endless so best to just get out there and enjoy discovering and sampling some amazing food and drink.I know I will!

My current fave is Peruvian cuisine which is fresh, delicious and involves some intriguing dishes such as cebiche (marinated raw fish) and even guinea pig. The fish is delicious but I have two pet guinea pigs (Pip and Darcy) and am pescetarian so can't vouch for the latter. Ceviche in Soho is the new Peruvian hot spot and definitely worth a trip and up-market Lima is getting some pretty impressive reviews. Last weekend, I wandered over to Essex Road to a more established family run affair, La Tierra Peru. This place is usually packed and for good reason, the food's scrumptious, the atmosphere relaxed and the service is efficient and friendly. This place is winner for a Friday night feast and a couple of cheeky Pisco Sours. The ocopa arequipeña is worth a visit alone - trying saying that after the Pisco's!

A Pisco Sour is my all time favourite cocktail, so here's a recipe. Make them, drink them, dance and pretend it's summer - after a few of these and the heater on full whack you won't know the difference!

Ingredients:

• 3 ounces pisco
• 1 ounce simple syrup
• 1 ounce key lime juice
• 1 egg white
• Angostura bitters (2-3 dashes)
• Ice cubes

Preparation:

1. Mix the pisco, lime juice, simple syrup, and egg white in a cocktail shaker.
2. Add ice to fill, and shake vigorously.
3. Strain into an old-fashioned glass, and sprinkle the Angostura bitters on top of the foam.
4. Serve immediately!!!!!!

All recipes and recommendations more than welcome!

Kerry