History of Argentina

 

Map of Argentina

The largest city in Argentina is it's capital, Buenos Aires. It is almost the biggest city in South America, with around 3 million people.

Argentinian Flag

Argentina Food and Culture

Traditional Asado

Modern Asado

In the rural parts of Argentina, people still eat a more traditional South American diet. Argentina's culture and cuisine has been influenced by largely by it's European settlers and immigrants. Argentina is very famous for it's beef, which I will show later on in the recipe of the beef empanadas. A crictial meal when exploring the culture of the Argentinain food is asado. The asado is a fancy meal with grilled meat.

 In the Argentinian culture, meals are a time to socialize, not just eat, like in America. They have long meals that last hours, where huge families come together and talk and play games.



Traditional Empanada



The Empanada is a very popular Argentian food. It is a food eaten in the afternoon and night time. Here is the recipe for beef empanadas.

Ingredients

• 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 1/4 cups water, or as needed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
• 1 pinch salt
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 2 hard-cooked eggs, peeled and chopped
• 1 quart oil for frying, or as needed

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour and salt. Cut in shortening using a pastry blender, or pinching into small pieces using your fingers, until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Use a fork to stir in water a few tablespoons at a time, until the mixture forms a ball. Pat into a ball, and flatten slightly. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
2. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until tender. Crumble in the beef, and season with salt, paprika, cumin and black pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until beef is browned. Drain excess grease, and stir in the raisins and vinegar. Refrigerate until chilled, then stir in the hard-cooked eggs.
3. Form the dough into 2 inch balls. On a floured surface, roll each ball out into a thin circle. Spoon some of the meat mixture onto the center, then fold into half-moon shapes. Seal edges by pressing with your fingers.
4. Heat oil in a deep-fryer to 365 degrees F. Place one or two pies into the fryer at a time. Cook for about 5 minutes, turning once to brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels, and serve hot. YUM!



Here is a quick video on how to make delicious empanadas!!!




Mate

Mate is a popular drink in Argentina that is a large part of thier culture. It is a tea-like drink that is drunk from a gourd out of a metal straw called a bombilla. Normally drunk at social settings, everyone drinks mate from the same gourd as it is passed around.