Katie Metz de Martínez's Posts Tagged 'Argentina' (36)

For the most part, unless a creature’s got four legs, Argentines aren’t terribly interested in consuming it. So with relatively tasty options such as chicken and fish getting short shrift in Argentine cuisine, you can imagine where that leaves vegetables. Nonetheless,…

While empanadas filled with quinoa and goat cheese may sound trendy or gourmet, the truth is that these ingredients have long formed part of the culinary heritage of Northwest Argentina. Although quinoa first gained popularity in the U.S. in the 1990s as an…

The star of the show at any Argentine asado or barbecue is, of course, the beef; however, vegetable matter does make the occasional appearance in the form of various salads to accompany the meat. The classic lettuce, tomato and onion salad never fails to grace the…

Canastitas (“little baskets” in Spanish) make a great alternative to traditional empanadas. They’re a bit quicker to put together, and they appeal to those who eat first with their eyes because they can see the filling. The classic combination of tomato, basil and…

Second only, perhaps, to Argentina’s passion for red meat, pasta easily makes the grade as one of the nation’s favorite foods. Whether long strands of tallerines or delicate stuffed agnolotti, menus all over the country feature a variety of pasta dishes imported from…

When Italian immigrants poured into the River Plate region of Argentina and Uruguay, they brought with them numerous recipes from the “old country,” among them the formula for a simple yet tasty flatbread made from chickpea flour. Although known as farinata in standard…

“An Argentine is an Italian who speaks Spanish, thinks he’s French, and would secretly like to be British.”– Author unknown

It’s impossible to deny the influence that Italian immigrants have had on Argentine culture.…

An Argentine dish traditionally served at Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve dinners as part of a cold buffet, the torre de panqueques (also known as fiambre alemán or torre primavera) always proves to be a crowd-pleaser. At its most basic, the torre de…

Late-night dinners filled with family, presents under the Christmas tree and inside children’s shoes, sweltering heat and...fireworks? Yes, it’s all part of traditional Argentine holiday celebrations.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Día de la Virgen)

Celebrated on…

When it comes to fast food, one of the most classic Argentine sandwiches on offer at the equivalent of an American “greasy spoon” is the lomito completo, a filet mignon steak sandwich piled high with toppings. A basic lomito generally includes lettuce and tomato,…

Argentines worship meat. Argentines adore pizza. And so, they figured out a way to unite these two great loves.…

Bifes a la criolla —thinly-sliced steaks stewed with onions, peppers, and potatoes— is a classic Argentine meal, one of those honest, unfussy, flavorful dishes that best characterizes Argentine cuisine. This isn’t the sort of meal you’ll generally tuck into in a restaurant. Instead,…

Pollo al verdeo—chicken breasts in a scallion cream sauce—is a rich, flavorful dish that can be put together quickly and with few ingredients. In Argentina, this tasty offering frequently shows up at parties or get-togethers, presented in individual portions in small…

Along  with the millions of Europeans who settled in Argentina during the late 1800s and early 1900s with…

Although Argentines possess a tremendous sweet tooth and love of baked goods, Argentina doesn’t have a strong baking tradition. Instead, when a craving for something sweet strikes, people here tend to run to the neighborhood bakery to get…

The Argentine barbecue or asado is more than just a meal; these food-centric get-togethers constitute an important part of Argentine social life. Considered the default means of celebrating birthdays, special events, and holidays, or simply just an excuse to gather with family and…

Although empanadas tend to steal the show, tartas (savory tarts or pies) are just about the next best thing when you’re craving a combination of flaky dough and hearty filling. What they lack in portability, they make up for in ease of…

As an American expat living abroad, I think it’s only natural to draw comparisons between the food I grew up with in the U.S. and the cuisine that I encounter in my adopted country, Argentina. The first time I saw pepitas at a bakery here, I felt…

Coquitos (literally “little coconuts”) are the Argentine version of coconut macaroons. These sweet, chewy gems of coconut often grace the table as part of the merienda or late afternoon snack, a custom many Argentines indulge in given that they typically…