Our first stop in the culinary wonder of the world comes at the hand of the magnificent yet delectable legend of the ham and cheese. Who would have thought that such a simple item can be used in almost every single way? In pizza, sandwiches, croissants, empanadas, pretty much anything you can think of has ham and cheese. At this point in the trip I would not be surprised to see a ham and cheese candy. Whether it is the gigantic ham and cheese pizza, or the simple ham and cheese sandwich, this legendary dish has been done over in every possible way, leaving its marks in Argentina.
The most famous café in all of Buenos Aires that most exuberantly displays Argentina’s culinary greatness is the Café Tortoni. According to a renowned expert on everything except arithmetic (Mr. Smith), the Café Tortoni is a place where ¨Anyone who´s anyone who´s been to Buenos Aires has gone. To say the least, it’s a big deal.¨ This entertaining café provides for some of the best pastries and revitalizing drinks to dine upon. A very popular drink amongst us BC High students has been tea with milk. This hot drink is something to take your time with, as every taste is filled with refreshing tea followed by warm luscious milk that will make any person want to fall asleep. Other popular drinks are the submarino (a warm milk with a submarine shape bar of chocolate), coffee with milk, and my personal favorite the iced coffee shake with rich creamy coffee ice cream inside.
Thus far, this trip to Argentina has presented us with an array of delicious desserts. From the absolutely astonishing and gooey dulce de leche pancake (different from an American pancake), to the orgasmic Oreo torta my host sister made, Argentinean pastries are simply amazing. Though one must buy dessert has to be the churros from Café Tortoni. These churros are as fluffy as a pillow yet still have that sweet crunch that makes everyone smile. Besides these pastries, there are a variety of ice creams and shakes that provides the bitter sweet refreshment of summer in winter-like weather.
Now for the one thing that makes this country´s food an absolute wonder of the world: Asado, otherwise known as BBQ. When you think of American BBQ, the first things that come to your mind are hot dogs, hamburgers, and meat drenched in tangy barbeque sauce. I can adamantly say that you haven’t had a true BBQ if you haven’t tried Argentinean asado. In order for me to describe how good this BBQ is… Let me just say that it had me salivating for more the rest of the night. The nice, juicy steak had me drooling before it reached my mouth. And the sight of the ever so succulent grilled chicken can cure any thoughts of hunger; dripping of tasty juices ready to explode in my mouth. The robust process of Argentinean grilling starts with stuffing the grill with a bag of coal, some wood, and even newspaper. Then Bam: Amazing! After a little more than an hour, things like churipan, steak, ribs, and chicken enter your stomach leaving an awesome feeling. After you try the mind-blowing provoleta, grilled seasoned provolone cheese that are well complimented by either crackers or bread, you are going to be saying goodbye American BBQ, Hello Argentinean asado. If BBQ is not your thing, there are always other delectable dishes such as milanesa, and the ever so flavorful empanadas.
Whether it is the fresh and vibrant array of meat, the crunchy and sweet selection of pastries, or even the neverending options of ham and cheese, there is something for everyone to eat here at the center of the culinary wonder of the world: Argentina!
Now time to go back to my Chow down….
Hasta luego,
Keith
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