Food

I thought you'd like to know about food here in Argentina:

Obviously top of the list is beef: plentiful and cheap, the supermarket shelves are groaning with it in all its various cuts. The beef is good here, tender and full of flavour. I have it at least four times a week. One of the best forms is as a Lomito which is basically a beef sandwich. Finely sliced beef topped with cheese (in my case) and mayonese sandwiched in some arabic flat bread [think BLT with beef]. In addition, there are the steaks, thick and juicy, just crying out to be eaten. For some reason fish isn't a popular option here although there are wet fish shops, equally chicken is relatively expensive and a little stringy.

Number two are medialunas: these are mini-croissants with a sweet coating, can be eaten at any time of the day (or night) and are especially scrumptious for breakfast. There are actually two types; the first is made with butter and is more sweet and the second is made with animal fat (lard I think) and is more nutty (but not especially savoury).

In at number three is ice-cream. With a large Italian immigrant population, ice-cream is a big favourite here. There are ice-cream shops on every corner and it is relatively cheap. At least once a week I have an ice-cream takeaway.

At number four: cheese. There isn't a lot of variety although the supermarket would lead you to believe otherwise. However, there is a wonderful melting cheese called Port Salut and mozzarella (done in a plait) along with several blue cheeses.

Finally at number five: vegetables. There is a wide range of veggies here that you wouldn't find in Britain such as squashes (pumpkins shaped like marrows), apple-shaped and sized courgettes, white aubergines, purple aubergines and stripy aubergines as well as the usual salad stuff, potatoes (sweet and normal), tomatoes and peppers. All high quality and tasty.

The Argentines have a very sweet tooth and add sugar to everything (you can buy ground coffee with sugar already added) and their favourite desert is Dulce de Leche. This is like sweet, soft toffee. It can be bought in jars to spread on whatever you want to. It is also part of the national biscuit (Alfajoras) and big in ice-cream flavours (the local shop does six different types). I find it too sweet but certain others (mum and dad) will love it.

So overall the food here is good and it's easy to live well. (Note to self - must join a gym)