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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,...
Fellow Foodies: Let’s Meet in Texas
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...
What is Chilean Cuisine, Really?
I know, I know. Mala mía. Chile's Bicentennial celebration came and went--and I didn't say a darn thing about it on this blog--until now. Really my 18 holiday was wedged between two fun but exhausting weeklong trips for work in the Chilean wine country and Mendoza,...
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...
Sky High at Portillo
Here I am. Standing at the top of a p-r-e-t-t-y pitched slope. By my calculations, it is, at least, a good 45-degree gradient. It will require some pretty fast turns to get out of the "hairy" zone before the run becomes more tranquila. I stop to take a deep...
At Your Service
You probably have been in this situation. There's a new restaurant of a well-known chef. It was hard to get a table but you managed to score one. You arrive with your date and the architecture is dazzling. There are beautiful people everywhere and the vibe is super...
Viña El Principal: An Alto Maipo Gem
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...
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....
Faith, Hope, and Chilean Pride
Yesterday afternoon around 3:20pm we were polishing off the final drops of an exquisite bottle of El Principal 2006 and the last bite of our pasta-less roasted vegetable lasagna. Out of nowhere, horns began honking like crazy outside. Since this is a normal ritual...
My Miracle Food: Coconut Oil
Move over olive oil, coconut oil has taken the front stage in our kitchen. That’s right, while I still use whole, natural oils like extra virgin olive oil, avocados, and tiny amounts of non-pasteurized butter from the campo (that’s right, they still sell that here in...
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...
My Top Five Picadas in Santiago
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...
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...
On the Radar: Uruguayan Wine Country
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...
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...
Chilly Chile
Ok, I have to admit. After ten years here, this is the first winter where I am NOT cold. And it’s the coldest winter on record yet. Let me explain. The Central Valley of Chile, where Santiago is located, is part of a lovely Mediterranean climate. Most of the year, we...
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...
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