Peruvian Arroz Tapado (Layered Rice Dish)

Firstly, combine the rice and 4 cups of water in a large saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the saucepan. Simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.

Next, place an egg into a saucepan and cover it with water that reaches about 1 inch above the top of the egg. Cover the saucepan and bring the water to a boil over high heat. Remove from the heat once boiling, then let the egg sit in the hot water for 15 minutes. Drain off the hot water and cool the egg under cold running water in the sink before peeling it. Chop the cooled egg into small pieces and set aside.

Heat 1 cup of vegetable oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Deep fry potato cubes until they are golden brown, taking about 5 minutes. Remove the fried potatoes from the oil and drain on paper towels before setting them aside.

Now, blend tomatoes with 1/2 cup of water in a blender until they are liquefied. If desired, peel and seed the tomatoes first. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and cook the onion, garlic, aji chile powder, cumin, black pepper, and oregano until the onion starts to brown. This should take about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour in the pureed tomatoes and simmer for an additional 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

Add ground beef and carrots to the skillet with the tomato mixture. Cook until the meat is no longer pink, and the carrots are tender - about 10 minutes. Use a spoon to break up the meat into small chunks as it cooks. Mix in chopped hard-cooked egg, peas, and peanut butter until everything is thoroughly combined.

Finally, gently stir in the fried potato cubes into the meat mixture. To assemble the dish, oil a flexible plastic bowl and press cooked rice into the bottom to fill about 1/3 of the bowl. Layer about 3/4 inch of meat mixture over the rice, and top with more cooked rice to fill the bowl. Use your hands to gently press on the rice and compact the mixture, then place a serving plate on top of the bowl. Flip the bowl over onto the plate and turn out the rice and meat-filled form. Repeat with remaining ingredients, garnishing each serving with sprinkles of cilantro, chopped tomato, and dollops of ketchup.