Argentine Chili Recipes

PANCHOS ARGENTINOS (ARGENTINE-STYLE HOT DOGS)

Steps:

• Make the Salsa:
• Mix onion, bell pepper, and tomato in a large bowl. Add oil, vinegar, and lemon juice, then toss to combine. Taste and season with salt and pepper, then toss again.
• Do Ahead: Salsa can be made 5 days ahead. Transfer to a jar or airtight container and chill. Let sit at room temperature at least 30 minutes before using.
• Make the Hot Dogs:
• Slice sausages in half lengthwise, going almost all the way through so they can be opened like a book, but are still attached on one side. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high until hot. Working in batches, cook sausages cut side down, weighting down with a spatula or a small pot lid and turning once, until slightly browned, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
• Smear a generous amount of mayonnaise on both sides of buns. Arrange 2 butterflied hot dogs on each side of buns, cut side facing the bread. Top with mustard and a generous amount of salsa.

ARGENTINE CHILI

Steps:

• Heat a heavy pot or Dutch oven over high heat.
• Add the extra-virgin olive oil, to the pan, and the meat and brown until crispy, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Add the chorizo and render the fat a bit, then add the onions, garlic and chiles and season with salt and lots of black pepper, to taste.
• Cook for 5 to 6 minutes more to soften the onions, then add the oregano, paprika, and chili powder.
• Once the onions are tender add the tomato paste and stir for 1 minute.
• Stir in the stock, lower the heat, and simmer for a few minutes to combine the flavors.
• Can be cooled and refrigerated for a make-ahead meal and reheated over medium-low heat with a little extra broth or water to reconstitute. The chili also freezes well.

STEAK GAUCHO-STYLE WITH ARGENTINIAN CHIMICHURRI SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat a grill.
• Place all chimichurri sauce ingredients in a blender or food processor and pulse until well chopped, but not pureed. Reserve.
• Dissolve cayenne pepper and salt in 1 cup hot water. Transfer to a squeeze container.
• Place the steak directly over a hot grill, baste with the chimichurri grilling sauce, and grill until the outer portion of the meat reaches the desired degree of doneness. Remove the steak from the grill and slice long strips from the outer edges of the steak. Instruct guests to pick up a steak slice from the cutting board with their fingers, place it on a slice of baguette, and enjoy. Return the remaining steak to the grill, baste, and grill until more of the steak is cooked. Remove and repeat the slicing and serving procedure until steak is consumed. For extra spicy steak, baste 2 or 3 additional times with the cayenne pepper mixture during grilling process. Spoon chimichurri sauce over steak. (Also brilliant on any grilled fish or chicken)
• Recommended beverage: Argentinian Malbec (red)

ARGENTINE CHILI WITH CHIMICHURRI

Steps:

• Heat a heavy pot or Dutch oven over high heat. Add the extra-virgin olive oil, a turn of the pan, and the meat and brown until crispy, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the chorizo and render the fat a bit, then add the onions, garlic and chiles and season with salt and lots of black pepper, to taste. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes more to soften the onions, then add the oregano, paprika, and chili powder. Once the onions are tender add the tomato paste and stir for 1 minute. Stir in the stock, lower the heat, and simmer for a few minutes to combine the flavors. Can be cooled and refrigerated for a make-ahead meal and reheated over medium-low heat with a little extra broth or water to reconstitute. The chili also freezes well.
• Put the herbs, shallots, garlic, salt and pepper, to taste, vinegar and oil in food processor bowl. Pulse-process until finely chopped but still a loose sauce. Sauce can be made fresh or refrigerated for a few days in airtight container.
• Transfer the hot chili to serving bowls and topped with Chimichurri sauce. Serve with lots of crusty warm bread. You can also top with finely chopped seeded tomatoes, if desired.

CLASSIC CHILI

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven or large soup kettle, saute green pepper, onions and celery in oil until tender, about 5 minutes. Add ground beef and cook until browned; drain. Stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, Worcestershire sauce and seasonings. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 1-1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. Add kidney beans. Simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes longer. If desired, serve with tortilla chips.