SOUTH AMERICAN CUISINE

Hello ladies and gents this is the viking telling you that today we are going to the beautiful country of.

URUGUAY

Uruguayan cuisine is a fusion of cuisines of several European countries, with a particular emphasis on Mediterranean food from Spain, Italy, Portugal and France. Other possible influences on the cuisine may result from immigration from countries such as Germany and Britain. The food is very similar to Argentine cuisine.

 A chivito with lettuce, tomato, thin filet steak, bacon, ham, mushrooms, olives, mozzarella cheese, onion, egg, and garlic mayonnaise on a bun without sesame seeds

The base of the country's diet is meat and animal products: primarily beef but also chicken, lamb, pig and sometimes fish.

Uruguayan gastronomy is a result of immigration, rather than local Amerindian cuisine, because the new colonies did not trust the native Charrúa people.The preferred cooking methods for meats and vegetables are still boiling and roasting, although modernization has popularized frying (see milanesas and chivitos). Meanwhile, wheat and fruit are generally served fried (torta frita and pasteles), comfited (rapadura and ticholos de banana), and sometimes baked (rosca de chicharrones), a new modern style.

The Chivito: Uruguay's Most Iconic Sandwich

Ingredients

8 slices bacon

2 beef fillet steaks (or 4 thin slices grilled steak)

Salt (coarse, to taste)

Black pepper (to taste)

1 to 2 tablespoons butter

4 eggs

4 sandwich buns (large, such as large ciabatta rolls)

4 tablespoons ketchup

4 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 head of lettuce

4 slices ham (deli cut)

4 slices tomato

4 slices mozzarella cheese

Steps to Make It

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon slices until they are crispy. Set aside on paper towels to cool.
2. If you're using steaks, drain the excess bacon fat out of the skillet. Slice each fillet in half crosswise to make 2 thin steaks from each.
3. Sprinkle with coarse salt and black pepper. Use a mallet to pound the steaks even thinner.
4. Heat the skillet over medium-high heat until hot and place steaks on the skillet. Cook for about 2 minutes per side, or until they reach the desired doneness. Place on paper towels to cool.
5. Wipe the skillet clean. Melt the butter over medium heat and fry the eggs sunny-side up until they are done to your preference.
6. Preheat your broiler.
7. Spread the inside of the buns with ketchup and mayonnaise. Place the lettuce pieces on the bottom halves of the buns.
8. Top with each sandwich with 2 slices of bacon, a slice of beef, a slice of ham, a slice of tomato, and a slice of mozzarella.
9. Place the uncovered sandwiches under the broiler briefly to melt the cheese. Keep a close eye on the sandwiches so the cheese doesn't burn.
10. Remove the sandwiches from the oven and place a fried egg over the cheese, then top with the other half of the bun. Serve immediately.

And as always have a chilled day from the viking.