If there’s one fruit that claims my total devotion, that fruit is figs. We are blessed in this Mediterranean oasis to have many fig trees adorning the countryside around Santiago and in the Central Valley. They grow into shady, majestic trees which bear...
Peruvian Creamy Yellow-Chili Chicken
Shredded chicken with ground walnuts, cheese, and chilies is a flavorful main dish. A fundamental of Peruvian creole cuisine, this dish known as Ají de Gallina in Spanish, is a hallmark. Its roots are firmly placed in the country’s colonial history when Lima was a...
Spicy, Garlicky Shrimp in 1, 2, 3
Hi Guys, this is an exciting day to share with you! This is the first of twelve food and wine pairing videos I did in conjunction with Emiliana Orgánico winery, one of the leaders in sustainable and organic wines in Chile. Last May during two days, I let...
Knack South American Cooking: Bahian Coconut Fish Stew (Brazil)
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,...
Knack South American Cooking: Breaded Pan-Fried Steak (Argentina)
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...
Knack South American Cooking: Alfajores, Caramel-Filled Cookies
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....
Knack South American Cooking: Chicken with Sweet Peas (Chile)
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...
Yerba Mate: South America’s Herbal Obsession
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...
Knack South American Cooking: Peruvian Shrimp Chowder
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...
Carbonada, che?
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...
Knack South American Cooking: Uruguayan Steak Sandwich
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...
The Grand Debut: Knack South American Cooking
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...
Chile’s Quintessential Cranberry Bean, Pumpkin & Sweet Corn Stew
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...
Your Next Dinner Party Theme: Chile
Since everybody has Chile in their thoughts this week, why not continue to show your support and throw a Chilean theme dinner party over the weekend? Great idea Liz, but, errr...what should I make? Well, let's do a little primer on Chilean cuisine first and then lay...
Holy Humita
Late summer in Chile tends to be one big corn fest. Green vegetables are sidelined and the markets fill up with ungodly sized corn, the size of rugby balls, that are used to make the sacred dishes of these sunny days: pastel de choclo (Chilean corn pie),...
My Ultimate Fat-Burning Breakfast
While I love most food, my daily diet (read: eating habits) these days is very “clean”. Mostly fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds, lean meat, healthy fats like olive oil, and low GI carbs (quinoa, sweet potato, beans). No more wheat or dairy unless it is a...
Move Over Chimichurri, Uruguayan Salsa Criolla is in the House
You know, with all the zesty sauces in South America, how come chimichurri steals all the thunder? Chileans make at least a dozen versions of mean pebres, from spicy-as-hell green chili and cilantro to the garden vegetable variety. Uruguay too has its creole...
Bienvenido September -and Empanada Mania
The first of September begins to wake Chileans from their deep sleep of winter hibernation. The weather turns spring like with orchards blooming in an array of white and pink blossoms. The days get longer, the sun warmer. The hills are emerald green and the...
and the meaningful