Un Aplauso Para el Asador!

Now back to beef…I’ve talked about my brother Armen before – he’s the lobster eating food lover. He’s hungry and he eats like an animal – But his number one best quality?! His asados! 😉
Now, Armen prepares asados for his family, he makes insane asados for his friends, sometimes just for himself…once he turned on the huge grill just for him an me (and some incredible chicken kebabs). Why do I say ‘turned on the huge grill’ like its a big deal?! Because it is! Our grills don’t run on gas…this is real fire and charcoal people – boy scout kinda thing.
So once you find yourself a willing and talented asador…like Armen…now you just need good quality meat!
I can’t say where he gets his (that’s a big ‘ol secret), I’m lucky he’s even shared it with me…but when this kid gets meat, he goes ALL out!
The asado culture in Argentina isn’t just about the meat though. It’s about a group of family and friends getting together around the grill, talking, eating, drinking, sometimes it takes us to singing and dancing!

There’s cheese in the beginning – usually Provoleta. Choripanes – spiced sausage eaten between toasty soft bread and maybe a bit of chimichurri on top! Molleja y chinchulin – I shouldn’t tell you what this is…but drench it with fresh lemon…yum! Chorizo, queso, nuts, pickles…all this with a good glass of wine or fernet con coca…just to get things started.
Right after comes the meat – trust, you’ll MAKE room for this part of the meal. Tira de asado, vacio and entraña line the table. There’s no explaining the flavors, each asador has a technique and of course, in my opinion Armen’s is perfect!

Once everyone is full, happy and a little tipsy someone shouts out ‘Un aplauso para el asador!’ And we all clap to celebrate Armen, his talent and him feeding us all! =)

Good Food In a Hotel

Yep, in a hotel! You’ll have to travel to Buenos Aires to get these good eats (if you’re not already there)…lucky duck!

My dad is the expert when it comes to finding hidden treasures…and thanks to me, they are no longer hidden! =P

To start the meal off go for the creamy Burrata and fresh salad. Do NOT forget the Mollejas – grilled sweetbread with a lemony egg emulsion base. Insanely good!

Main dish – two options.

If you wanna go all typical you will never go wrong with their Ojo de Bife / Angus Rib Eye grilled to your liking of course! Elena pairs it with a side of yummy veggies – really – it’s all about the MEAT though!

OR go for the Cabrito Rostizado / Slow Roasted Baby Goat with a cramy ‘humita’ base and marinated raw zucchini. (Humita is basically a cream of corn, perfect balance of sweet and savory).

Yeah, having been my first time here I made someone else order the ‘other’ dish I wanted – that way I got to taste both. We all know we both left happy!

Oh dessert. Sweet, sweet dessert. Ice cream made in house, you’ll have a choice of original flavors. Photographed here is the ‘chocotorta’, a take on a cake you’ll find at every single Argentine adult’s child’s birthday party!

Our infamous Almendrado on the right. A block of vanilla ice cream rolled around in almond brittle, top that puppy with warm chocolate sauce. Mouth – water…I know! Perfect end to a perfect meal in truthfully a perfect setting!

1 2 3 4 Winter Spring Summer Fall =)

Raw (Not the Vegetarian Kind)

I’ll start with – Vegetarians beware! – Although it may be too late now! =/

As many of you may already know, I’m Armenian. Armenians love food – Armenians love meat – Armenians love raw meat. (I guess that’s the simplest way to describe us). haha!

Yes, raw.

This particular dish is my dad’s – Pepan’s – specialty! Ever since I was a little girl I would stand by and watch him make it. I would prep each ingredient in a dish, set it all up on the table and then watch him work! From years of watching I can say I’m quite the expert myself…I think…

So what goes into Chikefte? – aka Kibbeh, Keyma, Steak Tartare:

Very, very lean, extremely finely ground beef

Uncooked bulghur wheat

Red pepper paste

And those secret family ingredients I can’t give away! (I know – lame – but I’ve been sworn to secrecy!)

In traditional Armenian tables Chikefte is usually served as a mezze or appetizer. At home, it’s our main meal! Mom prepares a fresh tomato and green onion salad. Dad also makes a cooked ground spiced beef dish.

Ideally each is layered to make (to me) the perfect platter! Pair it with a few pieces of lavash and you are good to go!

Now, give yourself time for a nap right after the meal…you’ll need it!

Thank you Papi for teaching me your specialty…although I now know how to make it, I will never stop asking you to make it for me! =)