National cuisine of Argentina for gourmets. Authentic recipes, delicacies and specialties

Argentina is a big country, a cultural capital of South America that doesn’t only produce but also exports different products, including red meat, wine, and grain. The country is widely famous for its fantastic sparkling wine and marbled beef. Asado, delicious grilled steak, is one of the most ancient culinary traditions in the region. Local food was much shaped by diverse European cuisine. In the country, it is not rare to see dishes with obvious French vibes, Italian pasta, and fragrant French baked goods. Argentinians add their special charm to these dishes, turning them into true gastronomic masterpieces. Michelin Restaurant Guide doesn’t rate Argentinian restaurants, but many local chefs polished their skills in famous culinary schools and then returned home to develop the national cuisine in the right direction.

Young beef steaks are very popular in Argentina. Local people like dishes with meat in general. Asado is a fabulous dish that has many varieties depending on the region of the country. This is a true feast for everyone who likes quality meat with various sauces. Carbonada Criolla is a beef stew with a unique combination of spices. Instead of ordinary potato and onion, this recipe contains sweet dried fruit and yam. Fugazza is also incredibly popular in the region. This Argentinian style onion pizza is a favorite food of every local. Pasta Frola de Dulce Membrillo is a fragrant dessert with quince that contains home cookies.

Argentina is internationally famous for its delicious cuisine and local charming restaurants and cafes. Travelers should definitely try classical Parrilla (steak) that has been the main dish on the tables of Argentinians for many generations. Parilla contains big chunks of grilled meat, chips, and cheap red wine mixed with sparkling water. Cuartito restaurant is a wonderful place to eat authentic pizza in Buenos Aires. This thematic Argentinian café has been open since 1943. Its walls are decorated with different memorabilia, including flags, vintage football items, and photographs of popular singers of the past. Dante Liporace, the restaurant named after its chef, is one of the best memories of tourists who visit it. Having finished his work with star chef Ferran Adrià in elBulli, Liporace returned home and now manages a relatively new restaurant that is open in a colonial-style mansion transformed into a luxury hotel. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Buenos Aires is a magnificent final destination of any vacation in the country. Many travelers like wine sampling tours in Argentina. These tours are a wonderful opportunity to get acquainted with local cuisine, try national delicacies (Parilla) or traditional food of farmers in vineyards near Cafayate, and, of course, sample delicious local wine produced from Malbec and Torrontes grapes. Tourists can spend an unforgettable weekend if they decide to visit Purmamarca. This is a charming village that is located at the base of a multi-hued mountain called the Seven Colors Hill. Having seen the mountains, it is particularly pleasant to drink delicious homemade wine. Local guides offer a range of interesting routes and excursions for any taste. Travelers can always choose from different menus and wine sampling sessions that are well structured and informative.

Despite the most popular style of Latin American cuisine, not all food to the south of the border is spicy and hot. Argentinian cuisine was much inspired by Italian culinary traditions. Typical local food includes various types of pasta, mashed potatoes, and several meat dishes (carne asado, milanesa, lomo, empanadas). Spicy food is virtually nonexistent in Argentina. Different types of chili pepper are traditional spices in the region. The country is divided into zones, each of which has its own traditions, but one thing is always unchanging – Argentinians are a very hospitable nation.

Residents of the country have one amazing tradition – they turn any breakfast into a true celebration. As local people say, this idea appeared out of nowhere but it quickly became popular. Quite often, breakfast is a quick matecito. Even though waffles, pancakes, and omelets are also popular, Argentinians have a morning dish that is impossible to conquer with. It is called Facturas that literally means “bill”. Argentinians use the term Fracturas to describe delicious baked pastries that they offer to the stomach to make the day exceptionally good. It is common to have breakfast in a charming café rather than at home in Argentina. These cozy cafes offer mouthwatering omelets and sweet baked goods that locals consider a delicacy.

Every tourist needs to try not only meat dishes and appetizers that taste so well in this country. Local pastries are no less delicious and amazing. Sweet baked goods come in different shapes and sizes. For example, consider trying local croissants called medialunas that are filled with tender cream. Dulce de Leche is a type of homemade caramel. This sweet and sticky Argentinian pasty is present in virtually every breakfast, pastry, and various fruit desserts.