Pique Macho is a meat-based dish originating from Bolivia that typically consists of beef, sausages, vegetables, and spices, topped with a spicy salsa. The dish is said to be called Pique Macho in reference to only the most “macho” of men being able to finish the hearty and spicy meal alone.
The dish is commonly also served with french fries and boiled eggs depending on which region of Bolivia you’re in. Smaller portions of the dish are called Pique, ‘Pique macho’ is a large portion.
Origin & Cultural Significance
Pique Macho can be traced back to the Cochabamba, a region of Bolivia located in a large valley in the Andes mountains. Legend has it that after a drunken night out in the city, a group of workers were drunk and hungry. They arrived at a restaurant and requested food but were told the restaurant was closing and had nothing left to sell.
The group said they would eat anything, and the chef chopped up everything she had left and made it spicy to help with how drunk they were. When she took the meal to the table, she said, “Pequen si son machos” (“eat it if you think you’re man enough”), which then gave the dish the name Pique Macho.
The popular street food is now available all over Bolivia. It is especially popular as a late-night snack after a few drinks. The dish is also enjoyed at celebrations, festivals, gatherings and at home where the level of spice can be controlled for the whole family to enjoy.
Bolivian Pique Macho Recipe
Pique Macho is a meat-based dish originating in Bolivia. The dish usually contains beef, sausages, vegetables, and spices, and is topped with a spicy salsa.
Ingredients
- Beef sirloin (thinly sliced) - 500g
- Sausages (chorizo or longaniza) - 250g
- Potatoes (peeled and cut into thick strips) - 4
- Red onion - 1
- Tomatoes - 2
- Locoto peppers (or substitute with jalapeños) - 2
- Garlic - 3 cloves
- Vegetable oil - 1/4 cup
- Soy sauce - 2 tbsp
- Vinegar - 2 tbsp
- Cumin powder - 1 tsp
- Salt and pepper - to taste
- Fresh parsley - for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pan, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
- Add sliced beef and sauté until browned. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, cook sausages until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the pan, add more oil if needed and fry the potato strips until golden and crispy. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, sauté sliced red onions until softened.
- Add minced garlic and diced tomatoes. Cook until the tomatoes are soft.
- Mix in soy sauce, vinegar, cumin powder, salt, and pepper.
- Return the cooked beef, sausages, and crispy potatoes to the pan. Toss everything together until well coated in the sauce.
- Add chopped locoto peppers for spice, adjusting according to your desired heat level.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 829Total Fat: 50gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 30gCholesterol: 153mgSodium: 1128mgCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 6gSugar: 7gProtein: 48g
Nutrition is provided and calculated by Nutritionix. It is for general information purposes and is only a rough estimation.