The Travel Chica

Live Simple. Consume Less. Experience More.

Learning to Cook in Buenos Aires

By

I am a terrible cook.

I do not mean that I literally cannot cook anything.  It is that I cannot cook anything beyond eggs, grilled cheese, rice and sauteed veggies.  If a recipe has more than 3 ingredients or requires more than 2 pots or pans, I will not even attempt it.  I am the girl that brings cheese and crackers or hummus and veggies to a potluck.

But I love delicious, flavorful food.

And I like cooking my own meals to eat healthy and save money.  The problem is I am completely uncreative and have no confidence in my cooking skills.  I do actually cook almost all of my meals, even while traveling.  However, those meals are very simplistic.  It gets a little boring, and then the temptation to spend money on greasy street food starts nagging.

When a friend I met in Buenos Aires told me about Norma’s Argentine Cooking Classes, I was intrigued.  I had never taken a cooking class before, but I have wanted to for a long time.  I was just worried that I would be the girl that burned something.  I wondered if this class might be just what I needed to actually push myself to try cooking more complex recipes.   I figured at the very least, I would get to eat a delicious lunch.

For a novice like me, the class was perfect.

Norma prepares a detailed recipe packet for each student, so you do not have to worry about frantically taking notes in the kitchen.  And like me, she is very focused and detail-oriented.  In the kitchen, there is no small talk.  All conversation is about preparing the food.

And the food… it was freaking awesome!

Photo of refrigerator magnets with meal ingredients
Refrigerate magnets to help practice Spanish. The ones on the right are the ingredients for our meal.

The Locro

Locro is a delicious stew made from maiz blanco (hominy), beans, bacon, pumpkin, and much more.  I remember eating it when I was here in 2009.  I loved it, and I was excited to learn to make it and eat a homemade version.

Photo of ingredients for locro stew

The Empanadas

We made two different types of empanadas, carne and caprese.  My job was cutting up the green onion and mixing together all of the ingredients for the meat filling. Norma made sure I stopped using the knife incorrectly so as to prevent cutting off my finger. Greatly appreciated.

We all helped fill the empanada shells.  I discovered my hidden talent.
How perfect does this empanada look!

Photo of my perfect empanada

Caprese is my favorite type of empanada, so I was thrilled this was on the menu.

Photo of caprese empanadas pre-cooking

The Alfajores

I could have eaten the dough raw.  In fact, I did while the others made fun of me.  It is so incredibly delicious with the fresh lemon zest kneaded into the dough.

Photo of alfajores cookie dough

The secret ingredient in the dough: cognac.

Photo of the secret ingredient in the alfajores dough

The final step is to make a cookie sandwich with a large dollop of dulce de leche.
Then you roll it in coconut shavings.

Photo of dulce de leche

doesn’t mine look pretty?

Photo of my alfajor

A Delicious Lunch with Great Company

My favorite part of the class was enjoying a delicious meal that I actually helped prepare and chatting with Norma and the other travelers in the class.

The locro was so good i had two bowls and contemplated a third.

Photo of locro stew

Delicious!
it is dangerous that i know how to make these on my own.

Photo of cooked caprese empanadas

Photo of carne empanadas

i don’t like the store-bought alfajores.
But these were spectacular.

Photo of alfajores

I survived my first cooking class without burning down the kitchen or cutting off a finger!

I liked Norma from the moment we met.  She started the classes a few years ago for her friends who wanted to know how she made some of her delicious dishes.  She had further encouragement and help from a friend to start her website, and now she offers classes weekly.  She has had people participate from 26 different countries.  Impressive!

Norma’s love for cooking and sharing her skills and knowledge with others is obvious.  She believes that cooking is therapeutic and relaxing.  It helps clear the mind.  I feel this way about jogging, long walks, and photography, so I could relate.

Photo of Norma cooking
Norma was all smiles during the class. You can tell she loves cooking and teaching others.

Will I start preparing complex, gourmet meals every night?

No.  I am too lazy for that.  But now when I am in the mood to prepare something a little more interesting, I have some new recipes and the confidence that I can do it.  I have been motivated to challenge myself.  I have a packet of recipes, and I am determined to use it during my stay in Buenos Aires and beyond.

Photo of my diploma

If you are visiting Buenos Aires, check out Norma’s Argentine Cooking Classes.  Meeting new people, learning something new, and eating good food – can’t go wrong!  If you think you are a disaster in the kitchen, you might surprise yourself.

Comments

  1. The pictures look delicious!!!! Getting hungry now and no argentinean in town :(

    I also share this opinion that cooking helps clearing your mind. I never cook for myself but I often, at least once a week, invite couple of friends and I make dinner for them. It just helps to relax a little after a stressful day.
    Sebastian recently posted..5 Regrets people have on their deathbed

    • Now that I have done it, I’m going to start seeking them out in other destinations. Such a fun way to learn about the culture and eat some good food.

      The caprese empanadas are so easy… it’s going to be dangerous! I see a new addiction coming on.
      The Travel Chica recently posted..Learning to Cook in Buenos Aires

  8. Fantastic! Cooking classes seem to be sprouting just about every corner of the world these days. During my visit to Laos in 08, I witnessed a cooking class during my lunch hour and it was pretty interesting. Sadly, I did not join in as I’m terrible in the kitchen. Anyway, love the cert given after this class.
    David @ MalaysiaAsia recently posted..Visiting Kota Bharu in Kelantan

    • You should join one. I’m terrible in the kitchen too, but being in the class with others made me feel more comfortable. We were all responsible for the outcome of the meal, not just me.

      I think I have a little more confidence in my cooking abilities now.
      The Travel Chica recently posted..Learning to Cook in Buenos Aires

  10. Your food shots are amazing! I would’ve loved to do this with you — the last time I went to a cooking class, I was way out of my league. Eggs, grilled cheese and popcorn on the stove are the only things I cook — and veggies in a pan. Sigh — someday!
    Abby recently posted..White Party at Nikki Beach

  12. Sounds like a fun experience! I love cooking classes, although we didn’t get to take one in Argentina! We did however learn to make Empanadas from our couchsurfing hosts in Mendoza, absolutely delicious! Do you have recipes you can share?
    Jillian recently posted..Photo- Hyena at Night

  17. I am so hungry just looking at the pictures of the delicious food. Your pictures make the food come alive. I never went to a cooking class when traveling and this sound really exciting to learn what they eat and learn about their culture. After all that fun..did you get to eat all the food?
    senafp recently posted..History on The Statue of Liberty

  19. Loved this post – I’ve been hearing about cooking classes as a travel experience quite a lot lately – it must be “trending”.

    I think it’s a great idea and the food here looks fantastic!
    robin recently posted..Playa

  20. Love your post and it’s making me hungry even though I just ate! The alfajores looks especially yummy so I may try to make some myself.

  24. Love the post and I hope this is a start for you developing the Art of cooking.
    Meanwhile you are in BA and don´t have any time to prepare those beautiful home made alfajores, if you are on the street and see a Kiosco try the Alfajor de Maicena from the brand CACHAFAZ. Just Increíble!

  26. I love to cook and learn new cooking techniques. Looks like a great class. I have found that food dishes are one of the harder things to photograph well. A chef at Cordon Bleu once told me, “You eat first with your eyes, then with your nose and finally with your mouth.” Through your photos, my eyes have just taken me on a killer feast!

  27. I’m with you, girl! I have a handy husband who is an excellent cook so I don’t starve and I get some nutritional meals that aren’t PBJ or grilled cheese =) I also did a cooking class in Cape Town, and I will admit it was really fun to learn some native dishes!
    Camels & Chocolate recently posted..Four States- One Day

  28. Lucky for you I have a lovely large kitchen for you to prepare your new found recipes for our housewarmeing gift:)…should you decide to venture back to OH sometime;)
    Send the recipes to me:) Food looks amazing!
    Monica recently posted..1Penggunacom RM14 juta

  29. The way the empanada is tucked just looks simply perfect. You’re inspiring me to maybe start taking lessons from someone in my area. Maybe my grandmother.

    She’s always gardening, and cooks with all of her fresh ingredients. Maybe I’ll just stay with her for a couple of weeks – and see where it takes me in regards to cooking. It would certainly be an adventure to write about!
    Christian Hollingsworth recently posted..The Wink In Leeks- 9

  30. Mmmmm, everything looks so delicious. Good on ya, girl! You definitely did a great job. 😀 I love cooking but I’ve never taken a class before. I’ve been looking to find some recipes for good Mexican/South American stuff for when I go over there though. :)
    Ceri recently posted..Detachment

  32. I just finished eating and now I’m hungry again. These look delectable. I’ve always wanted to take a cooking class. I am basically stuck to enchiladas and pozole. Everything else comes out of a box. I’ve tried Martha Stewart’s recipes but I don’t remember anything!

  33. You baked alfajores? They are my argentinian delicacy of choice! Usually by the Habana boxes that come with the chocolate version too, but if you know how to cook them why bother?? Great lessons and pics!

    • I just typed, “They aren’t the simplest thing to make.” Then I realized they actually are. Dough isn’t that difficult. I’m just lazy :-)

      I have heard great things about that brand. I may need to try them before I leave.

  34. Wow impressive! I love cooking. Your pictures are so good I want to eat them! I am def. taking cooking classes when I get to Chiang Mai.

  38. Hola! I came across your blog when looking for cooking classes in Buenos Aires. My husband and I are also taking about a year to travel throughout Latin America. We ended up taking the Argentine Cooking Class with Norma too because your post was so inspiring. I am also writing a blog post about our experience and I am going to mention your blog :)

Shares