CookingDiva

Simply delicious, what a find! I was greately surprised when I found the little deli during our last day in Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay, just a few hours before we took the ferry back to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Exploring every inch of the cozy place, like a child would do in a candy store, I was in total state of bliss. Then, almost when my basket was close to the top, filled with all kinds of local spices, herbs, locally-made alfajores and marmalades...there I found the shiny, elegant stand that impecably showed off the delicious delicacy. I suddenly was in "smoked ostrich heaven."

So now you know where I've gotten this precious meat.

I have heard there is an ostrich farm here in Panama, somewhere in the countryside. One of these days I'll visit them, BUT, in the meantime...I've plenty. ;D

The basic recipe to prepare Ostrich Carpaccio could be found HERE. To add my personal touch I added some balsamic vinegar and served it with baby greens. If you are a Parmesan cheese lover like me, just add as much as you want.

From the Wine Tour - Discover New Wines:

Etchart Cafayate Cabernet Sauvignon (2004) - Etchart, Argentina

Here the traditional Calchaqui winery re-initiated by Pernod Ricard has reached an elevated mark in high-altitude Cabernet Sauvignon, a worthy legacy from Jose Luis Mounier for the house in which he worked for so long. With its overwhelming price-quality ratio, this great wine will help show the world that Argentina has other wonders besides Malbec and other optimal terroirs besides Cuyo. (Vineyards, Wineries & Wines of South America 2006 - 70 Top Wines)

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world's noblest of grapes. You will find this red wine to have an aristochratic character, with such an intense perfume, and an essence with overtones of raspberry and other wild berries. Enjoy with hard cheeses, grilled steaks, and in this opportunity: Smoked Ostrich Carpaccio with baby greens.

Have an extra-tasty week!

Best,

Melissa

Tags: argentina, food blogs, cookingdiva, cooking, panama, recipes, food & drink, food, chef melissa

The confession: The popping noise gives me goose bumps. I have always loved wine, but now The Enthusiast woke up and life would never be the same. Being passionate about the world of wine makes my mission in life to search and purchase wine to enjoy with family and friends. If this requires traveling the world, then so be it.

Nothing gets my juices going like a wine tour in the most exotic of places, wearing, of course a t-shirt that proclaims me as the "Wine Diva." Nevertheless I am not afraid any more to spit and criticize or swirl and admire as a wine demands.

Now, I am finally back home from the Wine Tour.

I missed you very much, but have to admit the Wine Tour was an unique and espectacular opportunity to explore my beloved Argentina and Uruguay in a new way. Loved to argue over a chardonnay and found the romance of corks irresistible.

Andres Rosberg, a fine gentleman that happens to be the President of the Argentinian Association of Sommeliers, traveled with our small group trough the top vineyards of his country and Uruguay. Winery after winery, I lost track of how many wines we tasted, but I sure remember the places we visited:

First, Cafayate in the Salta province. There we stayed at the Cafayate Wine Resort.  We visited Bodega El Esteco, and later we went to Bodega Laborum and vineyard. We had lunch at the home of the Laborum owner, Marcelo Romero, who is the brother of the governor of the province.

October 8 was the perfect day to visit the Domingo Hermanos Winery. It was sunny with a refreshing breeze that accompany us through our journey. Thirty minutes away was the San Pedro de Yacochuya winery waiting for us. The delicious lunch was as good as their wine.

Then, Mendoza. What an unique place. We stayed at the Park Hyatt Hotel, and to tell you the truth I could NOT resist the temptation to nurture my wine-loving body with one of their beauty treatments with wine. Oh my! It was quite sticky, but I loved every second of it. Ahhh...

Tomorrow I will write about the places we visited in Mendoza, including a great video featuring "the making of empanadas in a rustic oven made of mud." Stay Tuned!

Now, I leave you with a link to Asado Argentina, a very nice blog on Argentinian Asado. They have an array of recipes and tips to cook the perfect asado and side dishes to accompany such a delicacy.

AND, if you are in the mood for some Argentinian Empanadas and Chimichurri Sauce, check out this scrumptious recipe. You WON'T regret it.

Have a tasty afternoon!

Melissa

Tags: argentina, food blogs, cookingdiva, cooking, panama, recipes, food & drink, food, chef melissa

I know, I know, I have been bad. I went on vacation and I didn't even mention where was I going, right?  The good part is that although you didn't know about this trip, the Wine Tour to Argentina and Uruguay, I have been gathering great information, photography and videos that you will just love. I'll keep you posted.

During my stay in Buenos Aires, I had the fantastic opportunity to meet SaltShaker, the only food and wine blogger in Buenos Aires I know. I have been following his blog since the beginning of the year, so it was a surprise when he talked about his travels to Uruguay and the reviews he made on the top wineries. Coincidentally I will be visiting most of them during this trip too. How exiting!

I will write more later about my meeting with Dan Perlman, the talented writer and chef behind SaltShaker. For now, I invite you to visit his blog and Casa SaltShaker's website (his restaurant) for great info, menus and fotos. If you are in the area, give him a call to schedule a visit...you won't regret it.

Have a delicious day!

Melissa

Tags: argentina, food blogs, cookingdiva, cooking, panama, recipes, food & drink, food, chef melissa