Argentine Dinner: Family Style

Esteban’s house

-by Fernando

The Saturday we arrived we were invited to eat at my cousin’s (Esteban) home. We were introduced to his wife, Amalia, his mother, Beatriz, his son, Gonzalo, and his son’s girlfriend. They have a beautiful home that covers the entire 11th floor.

It’s always fun meeting extended relatives for the first time.

Luckily for Michelle, these are the family that speaks the most English. Only my great aunt doesn’t speak it. So it was a great way to spend our first night in Argentina.

We were invited over at 8pm. Not to start eating right away, but just get there. We started with some wine, then fell into an amazing multi course dinner that was very traditionally Argentine.

We started with the equivalent of a charcuterie board. Then they brought out empanadas (meat turnovers) that were fresh and warm. Mmmmm. Next were churrizos on a small bun with home-made chimichurri (red sauce). Double Mmmmm.

The main course was Milanesa (breaded veal cutlets) with homemade mash potatoes. It was the third or fourth flashback to childhood and my Mom’s cooking for the night.

After I was “forced” to have extra servings, they brought out dessert. Flan with vanilla cream and dulce de leche. (Similar to caramel sauce but much better. If you’ve never tried it, I’m sorry).

If all that wasn’t enough, then they brought out the finger cookies and the hard alcohol. Ugh!

By that time it was 1:30 am so we ordered an uber of stumbled back to the hotel. What a wonderful night!!!