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Buena Onda Foods presents an introduction to Argentine food.
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ARGENTINE Cuisine The foods of Argentina
About • Argentine cuisine is more than just red meat and red wine! • The cuisine is influenced by the country’s agricultural production. Argentina is a major producer of: • Soybeans • Corn • Wheat • Fruit (including grapes) • Yerba Mate • Beef • Much of the population is descended from European immigrants and the cuisine reflects Spanish and Italian heritage. www.buenaondafoods.com
Asado • Argentina consumes more beef per capita than anywhere else in the world! • Much of the beef grown in Argentina is grass fed and is of very high quality. • Asado (pictured right) is the country’s national dish and may include • Various cuts of beef • Chorizo (sausages) • Morcillas (blood puddings) • Pollo (chicken) • Other meats or organs www.buenaondafoods.com
Marinades and chimichurri sauce • Marinades and sauces to accompany beef are very common. • Adobos (marinades) can be either dry or liquid and are often made of oils, vinegars and various spices. • Adobo criollo is a popular marinade. • Chimichurri is almost always served with beef. It is a mixture of garlic, parsley, onion, vinegar and spices. It can be made at home or purchased in jars or dry mixes. • Chimichurri can also be used as a marinade or as a sauce for vegetables. www.buenaondafoods.com
Pucheros / Beef Stews • Pucheros are a traditional dish with a Spanish heritage. • There are many regional and seasonal variations but an Argentine Puchero will normally share these elements: • The main ingredient is usually beef, but there are Pucheros of chicken and pork. • Pucheros include an assortment of vegetables that vary depending on the region or the season. • The Puchero will be eaten the day it is made and never kept. • Leftovers will be repurposed for another meal. • The taste will be mild and not include spicy, pungent or strong flavored ingredients. www.buenaondafoods.com
Empanadas • Argentine Empanadas are turnovers filled with meets, cheeses or both. Common fillings are: • Carne (ground beef) • Pollo (chicken) • Camarones (shrimp) • Pescado (fish) • Queso (cheese) • Humitas (corn mixture) • Jamon (Ham) • Empanada delivery services are common in Buenos Aires like pizza is delivered in the United States. • Empanadas are served al horno (baked) or frito (fried) and can be served as appetizers or as a meal. www.buenaondafoods.com
Pasta • Noodles and pasta figure prominently into the Argentine diet. • Fresh pasta prepared at home and noodles purchased at the store are both common. • Pasta is enjoyed both at home and at restaurants. • Pizza and pasta are almost as common as beef and represent a major influence of Italian cuisine on the local fare. • Common pasta dishes include: • Fideos (unfilled pasta such as spaghetti, vermicelli and rigatoni) • Tarraines (stuffed pasta) • Baked Noodles • Gnocchi • Fillings for pasta can include spinach, ricotta cheese, beef and chicken, and the sauces are often tomato or cream based. www.buenaondafoods.com
vegetables • In Spanish, verduras typically means green leafy vegetables, but in Argentina this term applies to all kinds of vegetables, even peas and legumes. • Vegetables are commonly served boiled with an oil, vinegar and salt dressing. • Alternatively vegetables are sautéed in oil with nutmeg and garlic or served with creole or white sauces. • Common vegetable dishes include: • Potato and green been salad; Potato and carrot salad; Potato and sweet potato salad. • Vegetable dumplings • Russian salad • Artichoke in tomato sauce • Sauteed chards • Eggplants • Carrots with white sauce • Fried Squash • Asparagus in mustard cream www.buenaondafoods.com
Yerba Mate • Yerba mate is a tea that is popular in Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil. • The caffeine content of Yerba Mate is less than that of coffee and the drink is often compared to green tea. • The leaves and stem of the llexparaguarinsis tree are used in the preparation of yerba mate as a beverage. • The finely cut leaves and stems are served in a shallow gourd and sucked through a metal straw called the bombilla. • Yerba Mate is not just a drink; it is social and meant to be shared. • It is not uncommon to see friends sharing gourds of Yerba Mate as they enjoy each others company at a plazita, park or in their homes. www.buenaondafoods.com
Postres / Desserts part 1 • A key ingredient of Argentine desserts is dulce de leche. • Dulce de Leche is a caramel-like sauce that is made from slowly heating sweetened milk. • Common dessert offerings in restaurants are flan con dulce de lecheand panqueques con dulce de leche (crepes with dulce de leche). • Panqueques con dulce de leche are pictured to the right. www.buenaondafoods.com
Postres / Desserts Part 2 • Argentine Alfajores are popular desserts as well. • Alfajores come in a variety of forms but they always consist of two cookies with either dulce de leche or jam filling between the cookies. • Havanna and Cachafaz are the two most prominent Argentine brands. www.buenaondafoods.com
Additional Resources • For additional information see our article on Argentine Cuisine. • Browse our selection of Argentine Foods. • Check out our blog for recipe ideas. www.buenaondafoods.com