Ep 8. Dancing in Little Lima!

In this episode of Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi, titled "Dancing in Little Lima!", Padma travels to the heart of South America to explore the vibrant food and culture of Peru. She begins her journey in the Little Lima neighborhood of Queens, New York, where she meets with chef Carlos Testino, who introduces her to a popular Peruvian breakfast dish known as tamale and teaches her how to prepare it.

From there, Padma travels to Peru to discover the roots of this iconic dish and explore the many other culinary delights that the country has to offer. In Lima, she meets with chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, who takes her on a tour of the local market and teaches her how to cook ceviche using fresh, local ingredients.

Padma also ventures into the Andes Mountains to learn about the importance of quinoa in Peruvian cuisine and how it is central to the traditional dish of chicha. She even has the opportunity to milk an alpaca and sample the local delicacy of alpaca meat.

Throughout her journey, Padma is struck by the warmth and hospitality of the Peruvian people, who welcome her with open arms and share their stories and cuisine with her. She experiences firsthand the cultural significance of food in Peruvian society, as well as the deep connection between the land and the people who call it home.

Ultimately, "Dancing in Little Lima!" is a celebration of the diversity and richness of Peruvian cuisine, as well as a testament to the power of food to bring people together across cultures and borders. Padma's journey is sure to inspire viewers to take a closer look at their own relationship with food and the stories and traditions that it embodies.