Versión en Español Chilean pot roast, or carne a la olla, is a whole piece of beef such as punta de ganso or osso buco, seared and then cooked in a pressure cooker or a regular pot with garlic, onion, carrot, tomato, red bell pepper, red wine, oregano, cumin, and ají de color, with the vegetables blended into a sauce. It takes 20 minutes of preparation and 45 minutes in a pressure cooker, or 2…
Versión en Español Golden milk, called leche de oro or leche dorada in Spanish, is warm milk infused with cinnamon, green cardamom, and vanilla, then spiced with turmeric, ground cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, cayenne, and clove, lightly sweetened and strained. It takes 10 minutes of preparation and about 15 minutes of cooking, and serves 4. Also known as a turmeric latte, it is a drink of Indian origin that has become popular around the world…
Versión en Español Chilean agraz, or green grape verjuice, is the tart juice pressed from unripe grapes, strained and used as a dressing instead of lemon or vinegar. It takes 10 minutes to prepare, needs no cooking, and serves 6. It is a heritage dressing that has survived almost unnoticed in the rural dry coastal lands and the countryside of central Chile, and it brings a clean, fruity acidity to bean salads and pebre. How…
Versión en Español Chilean chicha with orange, or chicha con naranja, is a refreshing country drink that mixes cold grape chicha with freshly squeezed orange juice, chilled and served with ice and an orange slice. It takes 15 minutes to prepare, plus 30 minutes of chilling, and serves 4. It combines the sweetness of chicha with the bright flavor of orange, and it is perfect for family gatherings and hot summer days in the Chilean…
Versión en Español Chilean hot chocolate, or chocolate caliente, is whole milk infused with orange peel, thickened with pure cocoa powder and melted milk chocolate, and sweetened to taste with sugar and a touch of vanilla. It takes 10 minutes of preparation and about 20 minutes of cooking, and serves 4. It is a classic of Chilean birthday parties and cold winter days, creamy and comforting, with a subtle citrus note from the orange. How…
Versión en Español Cornstarch and condensed milk cookies, or galletas de maicena y leche condensada, are delicate, melt in your mouth cookies made with sifted cornstarch, butter, powdered sugar, an egg yolk, and sweetened condensed milk, pressed with a fork and baked until just golden underneath. They take 15 minutes of preparation and 13 to 15 minutes in the oven, and make 12 servings. They are very easy to make with the family and share…
Versión en Español Chilean chocolate loaf cake, or queque de chocolate, is a moist, fluffy cake made by mixing flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt with oil, milk, eggs, and vanilla, then baking it in a loaf pan dusted with semolina. It takes 15 minutes of preparation and about 35 minutes in the oven, and makes 12 slices. It is a classic for the Chilean afternoon tea called once and for…
Versión en Español Homemade tomato sauce, or salsa de tomates casera, is made by blanching and peeling ripe tomatoes, simmering them with a soft sofrito of onion and garlic in olive oil, salt, pepper, and optional oregano or bay leaf, then blending until smooth. It takes 20 minutes of preparation and about 50 minutes of cooking, and serves 4. It is a fresh, versatile sauce worth the time, and once you make it you will…
Versión en Español Homemade fig jam, or mermelada de higos, is made by macerating quartered ripe figs with sugar and lemon juice, then simmering them slowly until thick, with a touch of vanilla, and sealing the hot jam in sterilized jars. It takes 15 minutes of preparation, plus 30 minutes of resting, and about 45 minutes of cooking, and makes about 60 tablespoons. It is a sweet, aromatic preserve with Mediterranean roots, passed down through…
Versión en Español Chilean chocorrón is a simple cocktail of rum and chocolate milk poured over ice and gently stirred, sometimes dusted with cocoa powder. It takes 5 minutes to prepare and makes 2 drinks. Its name joins chocolate and ron, the Spanish word for rum, and it has become an icon of Chilean popular culture, especially among university students. How to Make a Chocorrón? The rum and chocolate milk are mixed directly in tall…