South American Cuisine and Recipes

Argentinian cuisine is hearty fare, the roots of which can be traced to Spain, Italy, France and Germany, as well as the original inhabitants. Argentinians are famous for their meat consumption, especially beef grilled or roasted and served with piquant chimichurri sauce. Milanesas (veal cutlets), empanadas and pasta show European influence, while potatoes, corn, pumpkin and locro soup are popular traditional foods. Alfajores, cookies filled with dulce de leche, are favorites, as is a bracing cup of hot yerba maté.

Located high in the Andes, the cuisine of Bolivia combines the traditions of the indigenous Quechua and Aymara population with many of the ingredients and cooking methods of the smaller European population. Popular Bolivian dishes include cheese-filled salteñas, tamal-like humintas and antichuchos, or grilled beef heart. The potato reigns supreme, with hundreds of varieties available, including the naturally freeze-dried chuño. Other common ingredients in Bolivian cooking include ají peppers, peanuts, yuca (cassava), corn and rice.

Brazilian cooking, while it has many similarities with that of its South American neighbors, is distinct and uniquely delicious. Stretching from the Amazon in the north, through the fertile plantations of the central coast and on to the southern pampas, the food of Brazil spans a unique mix of cultures and cuisines. The original population contributed popular ingredients like cassava and guaranaá. African slaves influenced the cuisine of the coastal states, especially Bahía. And around the country, a Portuguese heritage is reflected in a variety of dishes.

The culinary gods have been good to Chile. With a Mediterranean climate, a wide variety of produce grows in its fields, orchards and vineyards. A long coastline makes fish and seafood plentiful. Chilean cooking is strongly influenced by the Spanish kitchen, but numerous indigenous dishes remain familiar. Pastel de choclo, tamal-like humitas and empanadas are all popular. Grilled meats (parillada) are served with pebre sauce. Common ingredients are corn, beans, pumpkin, potatoes and quinoa. Pisco brandy is the kicker ingredient in pisco sour cocktails.