Argentine cuisine is perfect for meat lovers. Europe had a great impact on the cuisine of Argentina, especially Italy and Spain. Even though Argentine restaurants can be found around the world, the best beef can only be tasted in Argentina itself. The country is famous for quality red wine, which we highly recommend.
Asado, which actually means “barbecue”, is not the barbecue you are used to enjoying. In Argentina, this requires a special way of roasting the meat, and generally all meat that you can taste in Argentina is excellent. Argentina is known as a country that deals a lot in cattle, and they export their meat worldwide. Popular meats for the preparation of Asado include pork, chicken, sausages and beef. The Parilla, a large steel barbecue designed for optimal roasting. The meals prepared in this way are tender, juicy and so tasty that even vegetarians will be tempted to try asado-style food. The meat is typically served with potato salad, traditional chimichurri, celery salad and bread.
Empanadas is a name for a fast food specialty that is often served in restaurants as an entrée. It is not originally an Argentine dish. Rather, it was brought in by the Spanish in the 16th century. These baked or roasted rolls of pastry can be filled with different condiments, such as chicken, beef, pork, minced turkey meat or chicken, beans, vegetables, rice, seafood, cheese, and, surprisingly, fruit. It is no wonder that there is an empanada for everyone.
Chimichurri is a type of Argentine pesto. It is served as a barbecue sauce, often eaten with choripános or empanadas. A recipe for chimichurri doesn’t exist, as each person from Argentina adds their own personal flair to their version of the sauce, but, nevertheless, all versions are tasty. A typical chimichurri consists of parsley, garlic, olive oil, oregano, vinegar and chilies. It can be found in asadas, or served with bread in restaurants much like the French way of serving butter with bread. Make sure you try this sauce, as it will additionally enhance the aroma of meat and pastry alike.
Choripán is a sandwich consisting of a grilled slice of Chorizo sausage, usually served in a baguette. If you really crave an aromatic meal, put some chimichurri, a sauce similar to pesto sauce, on your choripán. This spicy sandwich, often served along with salsa, is often sold at sport events and street fairs. It is a light snack that’s easily eaten on the go, and is a popular breakfast food.
Provoleta – grilled cheese. The people of Argentina are not only masters of preparing meat, but they also excel at grilling cheese. Provoleta, as its name might suggest, is closely connected to Italian cuisine. The cheese is covered with chili flakes and oregano, which gives it an unbelievable taste. As it is grilled, the cheese melts, becoming brown and crispy.
