By: Anton Dillon and Sterling Griffin 

     Argentinian food is very rich in grilling and cooking beef and meat. Argentines are famous for their high protien diet, particularly beef. Grilled meat is the mainstay of the Argentine cuisine. This tradition of eating beef all the time began in the 19th century. This is derived from the original Argentenian cowboy Gaucho. Most Argentenians eat beef more than once a day. It is said that Argentina produces some of the best beef in the world. A lot of Argentenian foods is influenced by Europeans, and is very similar to the foods of other countries in South America.

Some Argentines eat different foods at different times, but some eat one of the same foods every meal.

     Argentines have four meals and snacks everyday, but region differs. There is Breakfast, which includes croissants, rolls, and breakfast pastries all with jam, really stong coffee and milk; or yerba mate which is is an a herbal tea made from leaves of a holly-like plant in a container with decorations on it. Lunch is a big meal of two or more meals consisting of steaks or grilled meat, pasta, empandas, and some form of a cooked potatoe.

Late Afternoon is a heavy snack, which includes tea and/or coffee with a sweet pastry, sandwiches, peanuts, cheese, ham, olive nibbles.This meal is just to hold a person over from lunch to dinner, which is at 10:00. Lastly, there's Dinner, the biggest meal of the day. It is made up of 2 to 3 courses and dessert which is mostly included in every meal of the day. It has foods like very large steaks, grilled meats, pastas, pizzas, salmon or trout, salad, potatoes, empandas, fruits and vegetables, and everything else that is traditional to eat in Argentina for dinner. Desserts consist of fruit salad, ice cream, and flan. That's a lot to eat!

Here are some of the foods Argentines eat at all times.

     Agrentines have rib-eye steaks that are absolutley delicious. They are made with Chimichurri which is the desire condiment with grilled meat or beef in Argentina. The steaks have to be well browned or medium rare. You also, have to make the Chimichurri as well. It is made with with, parsley, cilantro, oregano, vinegar, garlic, jalapeño, 2 tsp. salt, and 1⁄2 tsp. pepper, then mix in some oil and mix all the ingedients. Then you pour the sauce on the steaks and then you have two scrumptious steaks ready to eat. The more detailed ingredients and directions are cited. These steaks are more of a food that would belong in the dinner category of Argentinian Cuisine. 

Argentenian mixed grill

(Paradilla argentina completa)

1/2 cup dry white wine or nonalcoholic white, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil,

2 cloves garlic, minced, 2 red bell peppers, 2 green bell peppers, 12 mushroom caps, 2 large onions cut crosswise into 1/2 thick slices, 1 eggplant cut crosswise into 1/2 thick slices

2 teaspoons dried Oregano, 2 teaspoons red-pepper flakes, Coarse salt and ground black pepper

1and1/2 pounds beef sirloin steak trimmed of all visible fat

1 and 1/2 cups creole Tomato salsa

pre-heat the grill to high before you put it in.

Make sure the steak is grilled for 4 minutes on each side for medium rare. These ribs would also be in the dinner category of Argentinian Cuisine. 

Empanadas

     This food can either be an Argentine appetizer or pastry. I'm going to tell how to make the appetizer. This particular food has a filling then the dough. To make the filling, you will need 2 pounds ground pork or beef, 2 medium onions, 2 minced jalapeno chiles, a 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder, 2 cans of diced tomatoes, coarse salt and ground pepper, and 1 cup of fresh chopped cilantro. First, you get a skillet and cook the meat you have until it is brown, cutting it while it is cooking. Next, you add the onions and jalapeno and cook them until they become soft, then add in the chili powder and tomatoes and you let that cook until the mixture has thickened. After that, you season the mixture with the salt and pepper and add in the cilantro. To make the dough, 4 cups all-purpose flour, and a little extra for dusting, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 2 teaspoons salt, 1/2cup (1 stick) of cold butter, cut into small pieces, 1 cup cold water, 1 large lightly beaten egg with, and 1 tablespoon water (do not beat until ready to bake). First, you garble flour, baking powder and salt. Next, you break butter into the mix with you hands until it gets crumbly, and then you add enough cold water for the dough to come together. After that, you form the empanadas and put them in plastic bags to freeze. Lastly, preheat the oven to 400 degrees, place on baking sheets that are parliment lined, brush the tops off with egg wash, watching the crimped edges, then finally bake until golden brown which takes 30 to 40 minutes. Finally, you have nice and tasty empanadas ready for lunch or dinner in Argentina!

     Argentine food is very similar to many foods in South America and American grill and barbeque. It is said to be one the most meat crazy cuisines in the world. Vegetarians worse nightmare, and meat lovers dream. Me and Anton both agree that is a great cuisine that many should try even though you haven't tasted it or don't think you will like it. It is very great and hearty, most men will probably like to try it. Try it and tell us what you think! 

Raichlen's, Steven. Healthy latin Cooking. Steven Raichlens, 1998. 

Worldwide Recipes- Food & Cooking from around the world. 30 Jan. 2009. 23 Jan. 2009 http://www.worldwide-recipes.com/argentenian-recipes.html.

NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Argentine cuisine." NationMaster - World Statistics, Country Comparisons. 30 Jan. 2009 <http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Argentine-cuisine>.