Impression, Argentina: A Taste of Home

Hey guys!

I just finished my first week of classes so I've been spending this weekend unwinding. I tasted my first Milanesa today. It consists of either chicken or beef, breaded and fried in shallow oil in a pan. It is absolutely delicious, but I wouldn't want to know the nutrition facts behind it. One of my neighbors in the apartment I am sharing is native Argentine and makes it very frequently. If you're ever in Argentina a Milanesa sandwich with cut greens, sliced tomato, swiss cheese and slasa criollo could make a great snack or even a meal and is often consumed as a snack in between lunch and dinner. Lunch is eaten usually between 1 and 2 and dinner isn't eaten until 9 or 10 at night so something is usually needed to tide the typical Argentine over until dinner rolls around. Click here for more on milanesa and a genuine milanesa recipe with an accompanying video (be prepared to read Spanish or a horrible google English translation).

The TEFL program I am in is wonderful. The professors are helpful in and outside of class and have created a very supportive environment for becoming successful and competent English teachers. Not only are the professors helpful in class but they are very encouraging and supportive outside of class as well, helping to give us advice on a wide range of topics relating to life in the city. All in all I am enjoying my class tremendously and can only look forward to teaching in January.

As the title of this post attests I am going to talk about a little craving I had this week. It all started with our mock presentations on conducting a basic/low beginner level class. Just as a side note my presentation went very well and the professor actually told us that as a class our presentations were the best she had seen after teaching several dozen groups so I hope that bodes well for our success in the future. Anyways one of my classmates was giving her presentation and the subject was dinner. I must say I'm not sure whether it was the idea or the picture she chose to represent it, but one of her dinner items happened to be pancakes. When she mentioned pancakes and held up the picture of the stack of fluffy, heavy pancakes lathered in syrup and strawberries, visions of pancakes began to flood my mind and I was overcome with the desire to sit down to a heavy meal of American pancakes.

That determination became a reality when I made my first batch of American pancakes abroad. I have to say I improvised a little. I bought flour but I'm not sure what kind and I put in another powder that I was told was baking powder but who knows... I also made do with vegetable oil and a scant amount of butter that I could scrounge from the fridge. I think the highlight for me was the strawberry sauce I found to go with the pancakes. MMMMMMMMM... I love the feeling of eating a heavy meal and just being able to sit it off. That's the American way (Argentine way too I guess but with pizza, asado, milanesa, and empanadas instead of fast food and heavy breakfasts). Here are a few pictures from my pancake endeavor.