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! =)

Beat It Up!

My go-to morning or afternoon drink when mate just doesn’t do it…a Batido! I learned how to make this from my beautiful and beloved Nelida. When I was young, just hearing the ‘clack, clack, clack’ sound of the spoon beating inside a mug got me super excited.
So I guess I can say making myself a batido makes me feel at home, all comfy inside. It is a bit of a process, but a good cup of coffee should be right?! Some people may be against this post because they don’t like instant coffee – but that’s alright! I say try it, and if you still don’t like it at least you have a reason not to!

1.5 rounded tablespoon of instant coffee
1.5 rounded tablespoon of sugar of your choice
Splash of water
1 cup of milk of your choice (or enough to fill your favorite mug)

Start by grabbing your favorite mug, put the coffee and sugar in and mix them together. Now let me stop right here to say something about the sugar. It has to be real sugar or raw brown sugar. Unfortunately stevia, or any powdery ‘light sugars’ don’t work. This is because for the texture to come out right the sugar needs to be grainy…if that makes sense. Just trust me and use the real thing!
Put your milk in a pot and start to warm it up.
Now add a splash of water to the coffee-sugar mix, just enough, not too much! Grab your spoon and get your beat on!

‘Clack, clack, clack’ switch hands ‘clack, clack, clack’

You’ll start to notice how the coffee-sugar mix starts to get creamy and turns a beautiful camel color. Don’t stop beating until it’s just right…with experience you’ll know! 😉
Your milk should be nice and hot by now. Pour it carefully into your mug as you simultaneously and slowly stir with your other hand. The creamy mixture you created will dissolve into the milk and a perfect frothy cream will form at the top of the mug – perfection!
Know you don’t need to use all milk, I know that for some this could be too heavy – try replacing half with water and see what you like! Make it yours by adding whatever you like to the mix. I’ve tried a bit of cinnamon for a little spice or a little cocoa powder for a mocha version!
Good morning, good afternoon…start it or end it right!