South American Techniques

Churrasco is a Brazilian barbecue method where juicy pieces, slices, steaks, and chops of beef, veal, lamb, pork, and chicken are placed on big skewers and grilled over wood fire. It started in the early 1800s when the Gauchos (European immigrants... READ MORE

Considered an epitome of Argentinean gastronomy and culture, asado (lit. roast; roasted) is much more than merely a meal. In Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, and in a number of other South American countries, it is both a culinary and social e... READ MORE

Parrilla is an Argentine word with two meanings – it can be used to describe a typical Argentine steakhouse restaurant, or it can denote a metal grill used for preparing the meat and fish. The metal grill is a part of traditional asado barbe... READ MORE

Pachamanca is an ancient Peruvian dish made by cooking marinated pieces of meat (usually lamb), herbs, chilis, beans, and a variety of Peruvian potatoes in a hole in the ground (huatia). The ingredients are placed on hot stones and covere... READ MORE

Curanto is a traditional technique of cooking meat and seafood originating from Chiloé. In order to prepare it, chicken, pork, sausages, seafood (clams, mussels, giant barnacles), chapaleles potato dumplings, potatoes, and various vegetable... READ MORE

Asador criollo is an Argentinian style of barbecuing a whole animal or very large chunks of meat, also known as al asador type of grilling. The animal or the meat is stretched over an iron cross as if crucified, and the cross is positioned vertica... READ MORE

Chancho al palo is a traditional dish from Huaral that translates to "pork on the pole." The main characteristic of chancho al palo is the cooking method. A whole pig or large cuts of pork are marinated with spices and then skewered on large verti... READ MORE

A true Argentinian asado is only complete with chorizo, a fresh pork (or beef or pork and beef) sausage seasoned with paprika, pepper, oregano, and garlic. It is briefly soaked in water and then grilled until the outside is charred, but the inside... READ MORE

Salchicha parrillera is a thin, long, fresh, and coiled Argentinian sausage that is very similar to chorizo. They only differ in shape. For barbecuing, it’s usually shaped into a tight spiral and secured with long toothpicks that are pierced... READ MORE

Morcilla a la parilla is a sausage dish that’s prepared by grilling morcilla blood sausage. Every morcilla is different. Some are savory, seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic, and onion, and some are sweeter and have things like raisins, clove... READ MORE

Chinchulines is a small intestine of beef cattle that is either cut in pieces, braided (trenzado), or filled with stuffing, usually a garlic and parsley one, then grilled. For good results, the important thing is to prep the intestine, me... READ MORE

Molleja, also known as sweetbread, refers to the thymus (corazón or heart) and pancreas (cuello or neck) of beef cattle, with the former being smoother, less fatty, and more flavorful compared to the latter. Molleja is typ... READ MORE

Pampaku refers to the Bolivian way of roasting the meat underground. The choice of meat is typically cooked with hot spices in a pit that is heated by wood or coal fire. When it's done, pampaku is traditionally served with plantains, potatoes, and... READ MORE

Riñón or kidney is a piece of beef offal that’s a favorite of few. It needs a thorough cleaning before grilling, which includes removing fats and veins and soaking it in water, vinegar, or lemon juice. It can be grilled whole, ... READ MORE

Copús is a traditional dish originating from Piura. The dish is made by layering ripe bananas, sweet potatoes, and seasoned meat such as turkey, chicken, mutton, and goat in a clay pot. The clay pot is sealed with blankets and clay, and it'... READ MORE