Causa Limeña (Layered Peruvian Potato and Chicken Terrine)
In short: Cold layers of yellow mashed potato seasoned with ají amarillo and lime, filled with chicken salad and avocado. A bright Peruvian starter. It takes about 1 h 5 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 40 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Resting
- 2 h
- Total
- 1 h 5 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 380 kcal
Causa is a cold dish from Lima: smooth yellow potato, mashed with ají amarillo, lime juice and oil, then pressed into layers around a creamy chicken salad and slices of avocado. It is chilled, cut into squares and decorated with egg and olives. The potato layer tastes tangy and gently spicy. Causa can be made a day ahead, which makes it a good choice for parties.
Instructions
- Boil the potatoes in salted water for 20 to 25 minutes, until very soft. Drain and let them steam dry for 2 minutes.
- Mash the hot potatoes with a ricer or masher until completely smooth. When just cool enough to handle, knead in the ají paste, lime juice, oil and salt until you have a smooth, pliable yellow dough. Taste and adjust. Divide in two.
- Mix the chicken with the mayonnaise, celery, red onion and parsley. Season with salt and pepper.
- Line a 20 cm (8 in) square dish with plastic wrap. Press half the potato dough into the base in an even layer. Spread the chicken salad over it and cover with the avocado slices.
- Top with the remaining potato dough and press flat with a spatula. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours, or up to a day.
- Turn out onto a board, cut into squares and decorate with egg slices and olives. Serve cold.
Tips
- Use starchy yellow potatoes and mash them while hot. Waxy potatoes make the dough gluey, and a food processor will make it gummy.
- Swap the chicken for tuna, shrimp, crab or a mix of roasted peppers and sweetcorn for other classic fillings.
Questions and answers
Can I make causa ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble it up to a day ahead, cover tightly and keep it in the fridge. Add the egg and olive garnish just before serving.
Is causa served hot or cold?
Cold, or at cool room temperature. Chilling firms the potato so you can cut clean squares.
What can I use instead of ají amarillo?
Blend 1 roasted yellow bell pepper with half a seeded jalapeño and a pinch of turmeric. The flavor is not identical, but the color and gentle heat are close.
How long does it take to make Causa Limeña (Layered Peruvian Potato and Chicken Terrine)?
About 1 h 5 min in total: 40 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Causa Limeña (Layered Peruvian Potato and Chicken Terrine)?
About 380 kcal per serving, with 21 g of protein, 27 g of carbohydrates and 21 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 380 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 21 g |
| Carbohydrates | 27 g |
| Fat | 21 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 650 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
