When my editor from Placeres magazine proposed the theme "Grand Destinations" for the travel issue, he wanted to know where I would go to eat and buy food. I immediately began to take a mental inventory of my last culinary-focused shopping sprees outside Chile. I am...
One of the questions I field a lot is how wines should taste. What aromas should we be smelling? Sigh. What has happened with the language of wine and our ability to interpret a wine, even if we are newbies? The heart of the matter is that it's nearly impossible to...
Coconut milk and fragrant veggies make this one-pot dish a breeze A traditional Brazilian fish stew common in the northeastern state of Bahia, this dish has its roots steeped in the country’s colonial history. The flavorful, savory recipe combines fresh fish, onions,...
While much of the world has been revealing in the collective euphoria following the rescue of los 33 (that’s local lingo for the miners), which we’ve been cheering on 24-7 here in Chile, I have been in a bit of frenzy to get ready for an upcoming promotional...
Hi guys, I want to apologize for my disappearance from the bloggosphere these past two weeks. I have been on the road in Chile with clients and later in Mendoza, Argentina scouting what's new, and tasting wines, of course. I normally try to stay up to date but I was...
When we talk about terroir-driven wines, one of the first wineries that Springs to mind, for my palate, is El Principal. Never heard of it? You’re probably not alone. It’s one of those (purposefully) under-the-radar wineries that pursues excellence in small quantities...
Buttery layers and sinful milk caramel create a dynamic duo in the Southern Cone's favorite sweet treat A traditional confection found primarily in the Southern Cone (Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile) and Peru, the alfajor arrived in South America by way of the Spanish....
Sweet peas are a garden-fresh addition to juicy free-range chicken Sweet peas in the springtime are a delectable treat. Shucked fresh, they bring vibrancy to a dish. Chilean cooks inherited this traditional recipe from Galicia in the north of Spain, marrying a tender...
Wondering what the heck is a picada? It's simple. A joint. A simple eatery. In my humble opinion, if you want to know the soul of a cuisine, hit the joints. This is the people's food. The kind of comfort food your grandma would make for you in the countryside. And...
Mate. Or Yerba Mate to be technically correct. This herbal infusion is obsessively sipped in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Southern Brazil. In fact, the beverage is one of the few native traditions that survived the Spanish conquest in South America. Argentines and...
I know, your first thought may be, “Uruguayan Wine Country? Seriously?” Yes, it’s true. This cattle-producing country may get more international buzz for its grass-fed steaks, stinky old world cheeses, and pristine beaches, but it is just a matter of time before...
Make this delicious ancestral soup part of your healthy recipe repertoire One of Peru’s most emblematic dishes, this homey chowder is a flavorful main course in any season. Its roots are steeped in the southern city of Arequipa, where fresh shrimp are gathered from...
In July, both Argentina and Uruguay have celebrated their respective birthdays on July 9 and July 18th, respectively. Feliz Cumple Vecinos Míos! So what do Argentines and Uruguayans do to celebrate? Why gather to eat, drink, and be merry, of course. Perhaps some...
As promised, here's the first recipe excerpt from our newly released cookbook. Darn, this picture is causing a major hankering for this sandwich. Fortunately, I am headed to Uruguay next week to meet with clients, taste wines, and explore Montevideo so I can indulge...
I want to introduce all of you guys to one of the brightest and best photographers I have had the privilege of meeting in Chile (and no, it's not my husband Francisco who does many of the pics for our books/website/blog, although he certainly qualifies. :). Meet Matt...
I am super excited to announce to you all that our first print cookbook is officially out in the US market. On South American cooking, of course! This project humbly came, unexpectedly, to me and my husband Francisco (the photographer) a little over a year ago. To be...
Recently arrived back in Chile after my two week soirée in the Colorado Rockies and beaches of St. Augustine, Florida, I am in serious need of returning to my normal, healthy diet before my next (meat and dulce de leche laden) trip to Uruguay in three weeks. In this...
1. To Spit or Swallow This is the epic question that no doubt most wine lovers struggle with when it comes to tastings. While wine is pleasureable to drink, when it comes to evaluating wine in a formal tasting, my opinion is that you need to spit and yes, there's a...
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