Francis teaches how to build a makeshift grill and cooks freshwater brook trout fish “a la vara”, crucified asador-style over an open flame.
Category: Argentine
Argentine
The Perfect Steak With Chimichurri
“It’s always a mystery when you cook a steak.” If anyone in the world is going to teach you how to grill the perfect steak, it should be Francis Mallmann. Watch and learn from the master of meat the core principles of live-fire cooking. And no steak would be complete without a traditional herbaceous chimichurri sauce.
Learn how to make one of Argentina’s favorite comfort foods with Italian roots, the milanesa. While the milanesa is traditionally pounded thin and deep fried, Francis prefers a thick cut of tenderloin cooked bleu, or extra rare, on the chapa grill.
Steak of The Stonemason – Bife De Albañil
Francis teaches how to make this wonderful and quick meat dish with bacon, avocado, and crispy sweet potato chips.
The caviar of the grill. Sweetbreads are grilled low and slow until the texture becomes crunchy on the outside and tender within. To serve: Douse in lemon juice and sprinkle with salt.
This cut is most similar to short ribs. Ask your butcher to cut it flanken style in one long, thin strip cut crosswise against the bone. Ribs are cooked slowly on low flame until they achieve a crispy outer layer and slight chewiness, but still tender insides.
Flank steak is an essential cut on any Argentine grill.
Grill a rack of ribs the Argentine way: crucified on an iron cross and slowly cooked over open flames.
Chorizos sausage are an essential part of the Argentine asado experience. They are best when charred directly over the flame, and can be cooked whole or butterflied. Don’t forget to douse them in chimichurri and salsa criolla.
Not only is this family-friendly snack easy to make, but it’s also the perfect meal for the kids to get involved too. Learn the “repulgue”, how to properly seal and fold the empanada like a pro.
No Sunday Asado in Argentina would be complete without salsa criolla, the national sauce, alongside chimichurri, that is served at traditional Argentine barbecues across the country. Francis’s version calls for a fresh medley of chopped onions, colorful bell peppers, tomatoes, red onions, and spring onions drenched in acidic red wine vinegar.
Never make another potato salad the same way ever again. Francis puts his spin on the Argentine barbecue classic side with a tangy mustard vinaigrette. While you can always use a knife, follow Francis’s motto and use your hands. “Everything you can cut and break with your hands, the better,” he says.
It’s hard to find a dessert in Argentina that doesn’t contain dulce de leche. Francis’s sous chef, Ricki Motta, teaches how to make this classic favorite that will sweeten up your life.
The next time you go camping, be sure to bring a bag of flour and a strip of beef, to create the best version of a Gaucho sandwich yourself over the heat of an open fire.
Salt-Crusted Pears with Dulce De Leche
A simple dessert that only calls for 3 ingredients: Pears, salt, and dulce de leche. Francis cooks the pears in the infiernillo, also known as the little hell, an oven he made inspired by the Incan people who made stone versions high in the desert on the eastern slope of the Andes mountain range. “When you cook a pear like this, all of the humidity of the pear stays inside so it’s very, very delicious,” Francis explains adding that the slight amount of salt that remains on the outside pear skin will bring added interest and complexity.
Chupín de Trucha – Fisherman’s Soup
When there’s a brisk Patagonian chill that fills the air, there’s one comforting food Francis wants to eat: chupín de trucha, or Fisherman’s soup with trout. “Chupín is the most beautiful word for a soup of fish,” Francis explains. Chupín is also known as fish stew and is commonly found across the region near lagoons, rivers, and fishermen’s towns. The name chupín comes from the Spanish word chupar. It’s a word commonly used in the phrase, “Para chuparse los dedos,” which means “finger-licking good”. The true taste of the chupín comes from the bones and the head of the fish, plus a lot of love and care. Francis will teach the skills to make this incredible broth and how to truly build and layer complex flavors with simple ingredients. This is a dish proven to nourish the body and soul.
“Desserts in Argentina are important. We love very sweet things.” Francis teaches how to make one of his favorite desserts: Burnt citrus fruits with a sugary crust. Learn how to make this refreshing dish and add it to your dessert repertoire. It may seem simple, but it’s loaded with supremely fresh and complex flavors and textures.
Caramelize granny smith apples right on a cast iron surface, then smother in Francis’s pancake batter, to recreate this Argentine favorite.
An Argentine classic and Mallmann favorite, this dulce de leche stuffed pancake is the perfect dessert or weekend brunch staple. Use homemade dulce de leche, or the store bought variety – it’s up to you.
“Oh! It’s so beautiful! I love you trout!” – Francis Mallmann Francis invented the infiernillo or “little hell” oven about 20 years ago to cook fish outside. Today, he proclaims his love for Patagonian trout and its magical taste as he fires up his small inferno to teach you how to make freshly-caught salt-crusted trout. “Once we fish something or kill an animal to eat it, we must respect who he is. And try to get the best out of him,” Mallmann says. That’s why he doesn’t add anything else to this recipe other than olive oil and salt. “Even adding lemon would be sacrilege,” he proclaims. If you don’t have access to an outdoor space to build the two-tiered fire oven, Francis teaches you how to make this fish encased in salt inside your kitchen, too. And just remember: “There’s nothing sadder than an overcooked fish. It makes me cry.” So, don’t overcook your fish and make Francis Mallmann shed tears of sadness.
“It’s tempting. It’s full of desire. And they’re both very sweet.” – Francis Mallmann. In Argentina, panqueques are generally thin crepes and served as dessert with dollops of dulce de leche. Francis teaches how to make two different panqueque desserts on the plancha that make him “very happy”: Dulce de Leche Pancakes and Granny Smith Apple Pancakes. While Francis serves this for dessert, you can mix things up and surprise your family with a deliciously sweet panqueque breakfast.
Learn how to make one of Argentina’s favorite comfort foods, the milanesa. Francis teaches his vegetarian spin on the humble classic by using the mighty eggplant. Francis teaches how to prepare the eggplant: He chars the whole eggplant directly in the fire, dips it in egg batter, covers it with seasonings and homemade breadcrumbs, and finally, pan-fries it with clarified butter on a hot griddle. The result? A delicious dish that is also a bestseller at Francis’s restaurants.
Flattened Tenderloin – Lomo Aplastado
A beautiful steak dinner in under 20 minutes, you say? Francis loves to smash things, and here he teaches how to make this easy and unfussy steak, a dish that he began making over 25 years ago: Flattened tenderloin with capers, peppers, garlic, and black olives. You’ll learn how to respect the steaks’ placement on the grill and the importance of keeping it undisturbed with no “flipping and flopping.”
“Eggs, potatoes, cheese, ham, can’t get better than that!” – Francis Mallmann. Revuelto gramajo is a Buenos Aires classic, most commonly found across the country in neighborhood bodegones (Argentine cantinas). Francis puts his own spin on this scrambler-hash hybrid that resembles an omelette, but stays true to its original ingredients: eggs, ham, and fried shoestring potatoes. This dish, however, can be adapted to use ingredients on hand, including fresh peas and slices of chicken or prosciutto. Even though in Argentina revuelto gramajo is eaten for lunch or dinner, we bet this mind-blowing dish will be a total brunch game-changer to your cooking repertoire.
Argentina is heavily influenced by Spanish cuisine. It’s common to find the tortilla, a potato, onion, and egg Spanish omelette, at most every bodegón (Argentine cantina). Even though Francis has made many tortillas in his life, he says he only understood the true technique of the tortilla a few years ago when he observed a Spanish lady making it. Now, he shares this favorite tortilla recipe with you. While it’s possible to use any onions available, Francis’s secret is combining three types of onions. He also shares his tips on how to flip it and cook it to perfection.
Watch and learn from the master of meat the core principles of live-fire cooking, using the cast iron surface to develop a perfectly caramelized exterior.
Learn how to make the traditional Argentinean herbaceous sauce that goes alongside any steak, or other grilled meats.
Practice your knife skills to thinly slice the potatoes, or use a mandolin. It’s incredibly easy to make and will turn simple potatoes into a showstopper.
In quintessential Mallmann fashion, serve the milanesa alongside a simple, fresh, and untidy with a “Picasso”-style lettuce and tomato salad.
Join Francis as he teaches all the secrets of how to make his version of the humble bodegón (Argentine cantina) classic including which cut of beef is best to use, the techniques of how to pound it, how to make homemade breadcrumbs, and the steps to pan sear it in clarified butter.
No empanada is complete without llajua sauce, a spicy empanada dipping sauce popular in Northern Argentina and Bolivia. It’s simple to make and incredibly flavorful, bringing an added punch to the empanadas.
Venture across Argentina and you’ll find meat empanadas everywhere. Make Francis’s favorite recipe — it’s easy, delicious, and bursting with juicy flavor.
A classic filling for empanadas in Argentina, stuff the dough with a sweet and savory cheese and onion mixture. After it cooks, it will be oozing with delicious cheese.
A great vegetarian side that will have everyone wanting more. Learn about the rescoldo method of cooking, burning vegetables in ashes.
Roasted Pineapple & Cabbage
Join Francis in his quincho, the outdoor kitchen, as he teaches two of his seven live-fire signature cooking techniques: hanging and slowly roasting pineapple and cabbage over hot embers. Don’t have a vertical grill? No problem. He’ll teach how to cook it in the oven, too.
“Asado on Sundays is more like a ceremony than a meal. Asado is a religion in our country.” – @Francismallmann. It’s Sunday on the island and Francis and his team are preparing for a barbecue feast: Chorizos, steaks, ribs, sweetbreads, salads, and free-flowing red Argentine wine abound the table. In this short documentary, Francis takes you into his Patagonian world to see the true meaning of this sacred ritual that defines Argentine culture. Francis shows you how to grill, make all the barbecue sides and sauces, and most of course, the importance of being in good company.
Potato Salad

Never make another potato salad the same way ever again. Francis puts his spin on the Argentine barbecue classic side with a tangy mustard vinaigrette.

No Sunday Asado in Argentina would be complete without salsa criolla, the national sauce, alongside chimichurri, that is served at traditional Argentine barbecues across the country.

Homemade Dulce de LecheIt’s hard to find a dessert in Argentina that doesn’t contain dulce de leche. Francis’s sous chef, Ricki Motta, teaches how to make this classic favorite that will sweeten up your life.

Francis and his brother Carlos go on a nature walk to a beautiful waterfall. There, he whips up one of his favorite no-fuss Gaucho-inspired camping meals: skirt steak and burnt bread sandwich.

Francis teaches how to make one of his favorite desserts. Learn how to make this refreshing dish and add it to your dessert repertoire. It may seem simple, but it’s loaded with supremely fresh and complex flavors and textures.
Sunday Asado

It’s Sunday on the island, and Francis and his team are preparing for a barbecue feast. In this short documentary, Francis takes you into his Patagonian world to discover the true meaning of the sacred ritual that defines Argentine culture: chorizos, steaks, ribs, sweetbreads, salads, free-flowing red wine, and great company.
Salt-Crusted Pears with Dulce De Leche

A simple dessert that only calls for 3 ingredients: Pears, salt, and dulce de leche. “When you cook a pear like this, all of the humidity of the pear stays inside so it’s very, very delicious,” Francis says.

No pots or pans are needed for this recipe. Join Francis on a hike in the wild outdoors, on the edge of a beautiful waterfall where he improvises a simple meal with only sticks and fish.
Chupín de Trucha – Fisherman’s Soup

This fish stew is proven to nourish the body and soul. Francis teaches how to truly build and layer complex flavors with simple ingredients. Hint: The true taste of the chupín comes from the bones and the head of the fish, plus a lot of love and care.
Panqueques – Dulce de Leche & Apple Pancakes

Francis teaches how to make two different panqueque desserts on the plancha that make him “very happy”: Dulce de Leche Pancakes and Granny Smith Apple Pancakes. These thin crepes are usually served for dessert, but also great for a sweet breakfast.

Francis invented the infiernillo or “little hell” oven about 20 years ago. Today, he proclaims his love for Patagonian trout as he fires up his small inferno to teach you how to make freshly-caught salt-crusted trout.

This dish is a bestseller at Francis’s restaurant for a reason. Learn how to prepare this vegetarian spin on the humble classic by using the mighty eggplant. Francis teaches how to char, coat, and pan fry the eggplant with clarified butter.
Flattened Tenderloin – Lomo Aplastado

Francis loves to smash things, and here he teaches how to make this easy and unfussy steak, a dish that he began making over 25 years ago.

Revuelto gramajo is a Buenos Aires classic, most commonly found across the country in neighborhood bodegones (Argentine cantinas). Francis puts his own spin on this scrambler-hash hybrid that resembles an omelette, but stays true to its original ingredients: eggs, ham, and fried shoestring potatoes.
Steak of The Stonemason – Bife De Albañil

Since construction workers don’t have much time on their lunch break, occasionally they’ll build a quick fire, slap a piece of chapa on top of the makeshift parrilla, and grill a thin piece of steak. Then, top it all off with bacon, avocado, and crispy sweet potato chips.

Francis shares this favorite tortilla española recipe, a classic Argentine dish with Spanish roots. While it’s possible to use any onions available, Francis’s secret is combining three types of onions for sweetness.
The Perfect Steak With Chimichurri

Learn from the key principles of live-fire cooking and make the perfect steak with a classic chimichurri sauce. Get the essential tips to master the art of live-fire cooking, and make the ultimate steak with a delicious herbaceous chimichurri sauce.
Potatoes, A Love Affair

A symbol of the Andes, potatoes are very special to Francis. Over the last 50 years, he has developed a unique tuber devotion. So, buy yourself a big bag of papas and learn from Francis nine different ways of how to cook the mighty potato.
Milanesa with a Simple Salad

Learn how to make one of Argentina’s favorite comfort foods with Italian roots, the milanesa. While the milanesa is traditionally pounded thin and deep fried, Francis prefers a thick cut of tenderloin cooked bleu, or extra rare, on the chapa grill.
Empanadas

Francis teaches how to make two empanada recipes: baked meat empanadas with onion, eggs, and olives; and fried cheese and onion empanadas. This family-friendly dish is easy to make for the kids or to serve at a party.
Francis’s Roasted Chicken with Rescoldo Vegetables

Learn from Francis in his open-air kitchen, the quincho, as he shares two of his seven signature cooking methods utilizing live-fire: hanging and slow-roasting ingredients over heat and the rescoldo, burning vegetables in ashes. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to watch and learn these ancient cooking techniques.