Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina!

We go to the grocery store almost every day. Although this may sound very time consuming, the truth is, we like to get the freshest ingredients. And other times it’s solely for inspiration.

How do I know on Monday what I want to eat on Thursday? And when Thursday comes, we might not even know what we want then, so off we go to Central Market to see our flock of foodie friends who work there (you know who you are!) in the hopes we will be somehow inspired to cook something wonderful.

Serious Inspiration

And inspired we were last weekend when Central Market launched their two-week celebration of all things Argentina. (If you live in Texas and live anywhere near a Central Market, please promise me you’ll check this Argentinean Festival out. It continues through May 25 and they have really done it right this time.)

In honor of Central Market’s Argentinean Festival, plus the fact that David’s daughter, Kate, is currently living in BA (that’s Buenos Aires), we decided to have an Argentinean dinner Saturday night which means in part that everything was grilled.

David bought a grass-fed New York strip steak from Uruguay, we also purchased some chistorra (a coiled pork sausage) and a round of aged provolone for some amazing grilled provoleta.

An Argentinean Sauce

I served this with a simple salad of baby arugula I bought at the farmers market (and I added some avocado, too) and then whipped up this tasty chimichurri sauce we put on everything, except the salad, of course.

Fortunately, this meal has inspired David to create an Argentinean burger…grilled grass-fed hamburger meat topped with a slice of provolone and a big dollop of chimichurri sauce! He hasn’t made this burger yet, but when he does, you’ll read about it here.

I hope we’ve inspired you to do something Argentinean. And, if not food, perhaps the tango or open a nice bottle of Malbec?

Buen provecho!

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Chimichurri

I concocted this recipe after making chimichurri several times using various recipes. This one has just the right combination of flavors and pizzazz. It is perfect for a grilled steak, swordfish, chicken or even pork. I think the combination of lemon zest, lemon juice, vinegars and pepper flakes are what make this one so perfect.

Course Condiment

Cuisine Argentinean

Keyword herbs, salsa

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Servings 8

Author The Cowgirl Gourmet in Santa Fe

Ingredients

• 1 bunch organic flat-leaf Italian parsley washed and coarsely chopped
• 5 cloves garlic peeled
• 1 lemon zest the lemon first, then juice it
• 1/2 teaspoon jalapeno vinegar if you don't have this, just omit and add 1/2 teaspoon more red wine vinegar or see recipe in the notes
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
• 1/2 cup olive oil you don't have to use extra virgin, but it should be a good olive oil

Instructions

1. In the blender or food processor, add the parsley, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, vinegars, red pepper flakes and salt. Puree until chopped and blended. If needed, scrape down the sides.

   

2. Slowly drizzle the olive oil and puree until emulsified and bright green and gorgeous.

   

3. Pour the sauce into a container and set aside at room temperature or refrigerate until ready to serve.

   

4. If refrigerated, bring to room temperature first. Spoon liberally on top of any and all grilled meats, swordfish or grilled provolone cheese. Dip bread into it.

   

5. The sauce will last for two months in the refrigerator.

Recipe Notes

Jalapeno Vinegar

• 6-10 whole serrano peppers, washed (or more depending on the size of your bottle)
• White vinegar
• A clean bottle with cork

Place whole serranos in a bottle and pour enough white vinegar to cover the peppers. Let it sit for about a week before using and it will last indefinitely. When the vinegar is almost gone, I simply add more vinegar and eventually more serranos to the bottle.