Spicy Butternut Squash Fries
I had some leftover butternut squash from making Butternut Squash Soup, and so I decided it would be fun to make some butternut squash fries. I have made Baked Eggplant and Zucchini Sticks before but I didn’t want to bread these. I found a lot of recipes online that just suggested tossing the butternut squash … Continue reading
Chilean Cuisine Cooking Class
In December 2011, Natalya and I were fortunate to have the opportunity to travel to South America for a holiday. In Argentina, we were able to fulfill all our foodie dreams of Argentine steak, chimichurri, and bold red wines. By the time we had crossed the Andean Lakes into Chile, we were completely beef-ed out and the cow population had probably … Continue reading
Chirimoya Alegre (Happy Custard Apple)
Mark Twain once called the chirimoya “the most delicious fruit known to men” and I wholeheartedly agree. On my most recent trip to Chile, I was able to taste the rich, velvety sweetness of a chirimoya for the first time. Chirimoya, also spelled cherimoya, is a fruit native to the Andes and is grown throughout … Continue reading
Fritas de Queso (Cheese Empanadas)
An empanada is a small, stuffed pastry that is either baked (al horno) or fried (frito). The name comes from the verb empanar, meaning to wrap or coat in bread. Empanadas derive their origins from Galicia, Spain and Portugal from way back in medieval Iberia times. Today, these savory little morsels are ubiquitous in Latin … Continue reading
Pastel de Choclo (Chilean Corn Pie)
Pastel de Choclo is a very beloved, traditional Chilean dish that is typically eaten during the summer time. This casserole is made with beef sautéed with onions, chicken, olives, and hard boiled egg pieces covered with dough made of fresh corn. It is traditionally baked in a clay dish (in a wood burning oven if you really want to … Continue reading
Chilean Pisco Sour
There has been a fierce battle raging for over a century in the southern hemisphere. That’s right, I am talking about the highly debated national origin of the Pisco Sour. Chile and Peru both claim this frothy cocktail as their national drink with a National Pisco Sour Day to legitimize their claims: Peru’s is celebrated the first Saturday in … Continue reading
Pebre & Chancho en Piedra (Chilean Salsa)
When Natalya and I were recently traveling through Chile, we found the two most popular condiments restaurants served with their starter bread were a roasted red pepper purée and and Chancho en Piedra (Chilean salsa). We were huge fans of the salsa as it complemented any foods, such as bread, empanadas, grilled meats, fish, and so on. The base … Continue reading
Ensalada Chilena
On our most recent holiday in South America, Natalya and I were completely wowed by the cuisine of Chile. Chilean cuisine and cooking techniques are quite simplistic but what defines Chilean cuisine to me is the ultimate freshness of the produce. I felt that every fruit and vegetable I tasted in Chile was by far the best I had … Continue reading
Garlic Butter Noodles
A favorite Vietnamese dish of mine is Garlic Butter Noodles. Not until recently did I try searching for a recipe to try. I was surprised at how easy it was to make! You only need a few ingredients, all of which I had in my kitchen cabinet already. The key ingredients are the chopped garlic … Continue reading
Auntie Meliza’s Potato Salad
This is my favorite potato salad dish that my Auntie Meliza brings to all our family gatherings — even if it’s not a potluck! My mom always referred to this potato salad as “Chinese-style” as it uses Spam® which is apparently known as “Chinese ham” to my people (which only included me very recently). There’s … Continue reading
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