As summer approaches, we find ourselves relaxing together with neighbors and friends in our backyard, enjoying good company, good food and good wine. The evenings slow down just a bit as the sunlight lingers just a bit longer. We find inspiration for these backyard gatherings from our days spent with family in Argentina. There, hosting a backyard gathering is a weekly, if not daily ritual. 

Here is how to host your own Argentine-style backyard dinner gathering:

Step one: Get fully stocked up on vino. Click here or visit your local wine shop for some of our Malbec, Torrontés and Rosé.

Step Two: Go to the local farmers market or harvest fresh produce from the garden. At the Meschini house, Laura picks wild artichoke, while Primo and Mia gather fresh cherries.

Step three: Go to your local butcher shop. In Argentina, it is best practice to use as much of the animal as possible. Typical cuts of meat you’ll see on an asado include: 

• Vacio (flank steak) 
• Bife de Lomo (tenderloin)
• Bife de Chorizo (sirloin) 
• Chorizo (pork)
• Morcilla (blood sausage)
• Mollejas (sweetbreads) 

Step Four: Prepare the empanadas or cheat and visit our friends at DelSur Empanadas if you live in Minnesota. Click here to see our favorite recipe. If you have any vegetarians in your gathering (gasp!) you could prepare a torta (quiche). 

Step five: Crack open a bottle of sparkling Torrontés or Chardonnay. Not only will it pair with the empanadas, it also makes food prep so fun! Watch the asador (asado master) prepare the grill to the perfect temperature. Below is a rustic-syle asado with a classic Argentine meat selection.

Step six: Pop the empanadas in the oven. In Argentina, many families have a special empanada oven in the backyard which gives the crust that perfect wood-fired oven taste (above.)

Step seven: Ensure everyone’s wine glasses stay full and begin the feast. Be prepared to eat more than you ever thought possible. Salad!

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