Chile Forum

The same here Tombi, Mu husband and I don't just use it on sandwiches but also for making the peanutbutter sauce Gringalaise mentioned. This sauce is not only very tasy with various satehs but also with an Indonesian dish called gadogado. It's a vegetarian dish with raw and cooked vegetables (like lettuce, green beans, cucumber, tauge (beansprouts), boiled eggs and, if available, some fried tofu. So, I'am always looking out for peanutbutter.
Ellen.

Hmmm satay... and peanut butter cookies/biscuits!

Tombi wrote:

I also don't understand how they can eat Manjar sandwiches but not Peanut Butter and jelly...

Do you mean why can't you buy PB&J sandwiches in the shops/cafes? If so, I've never seen them sold in any shop anywhere I've travelled in the world (I've never been to the USA, so maybe it's exclusively a USA thing?), but most people I know are capable of taking a slice of bread, adding PB&J and eating it.

For the record, I have had shop made PB & J's in the US, in Canada, in Europe and in OZ. And of course people are capable of making their own sandwiches. Doesn't mean they wouldn't like the option of something simple and tasty when they're out and about and need to pop into a shop for a quick snack. I can make my own pizza, doesn't mean I want to have to make dough and sort out cheese and toppings every time I want a pizza. Sadly it's my only option here because Chilean pizza is crap.

Tombi wrote:As for store/cafe bought, the choices are varied. Churrasco Completos or Ham/Turkey, Cheese & Avo, Barros Luco etc.

If you are craving a particular sandwich, nothing stops you from *gasp* making it. You can buy pretty much any ingredient that you like, there are at least 30 varieties of bread in the supermarket, from Ciabatta, to heavy German seed bread, light wholewheat, maraquetas, allullas, raising bread etc. There are many different types of ham (honey baked, smoked, turkey, chicken etc) and you are allowed to add more than one slice if you must. For a bit of excitement, you may even add any of the range of about 20 mustards available, mayonnaise, sour kraut, pickles or any other topping you desire.

As for selections, you're in Santiago so you take for granted that you have a big selection of ingredients at hand. Chile's a long country and outside of Santiago and maybe Valpo and Vina, you will not find that selection. If I want ciabatta bread you'd better bet that I have to figure out how to make it myself because it's sure as hell not available in most towns in Chile. Hell, I can't even find it in Valpo sometimes. Having to take a 2 hour bus ride just find an actual cheese selection and something other than the usual fare from the bakery is depressing. Thankfully, I am able to make alot of stuff myself, but not everyone has that option.

Tombi wrote:So, I think it's safe to say that sandwiches can be good in Chile. (Just quietly, I also don't think that PB&J should be held as the bar to which good sandwiches are judged)

I really don't think anyone was setting the almighty PB & J as the bar for what a good sandwich is, but merely an example. As for good sandwiches in Chile- they're edible. Sometimes they're even tasty. Most of Chile, however, has the same selection of sandwiches in every little diner and mom & pop stand outside of the metropolitan areas. And while it is a varied menu, it's usually a variation of the same menu, everywhere. When you already know what the menu is likely to have before you even see it, it makes you inclined to dine at home when possible.

Chile has alot to offer, but a varied and interesting cuisine is not part of that package. Even all foreign cuisine restaurants are "Chileanized" here. God forbid they learn how to season food with something other than salt. And spicy food that's not peruvian? Not a chance in hell. This doesn't make Chilean food bad, actual Chilean food like pastel de Choclo and my mom's empanadas are like crack to me. Can't stop eating them. Variety would be nice though. Nine times out of ten, the restaurant food just isn't as tasty as my mom's version of the dish, so mostly, I just end up wanting my money back.

As for PB & J.... strangely enough not my favourite sandwich. It's a craving that usually strikes when I either see it on a menu somewhere or I see a child eating it. Although I do contribute to my little town's Peanut Butter sales as I use it to make dog biscuits for my dogs.

Yes, big difference between what is available in Santiago and what is available even 45 minutes from Santiago. I am a little weary of being inventive and searching for everything to make a meal. Sometimes I would just like to have a quick bite and I'm not a big sandwich eater. Empanadas are sold many places and are the best "fast food"though.

Yeah but the topic is about Chilean sandwiches and Santiago is in Chile, so I'm arguing that it is available in this country.

There's still nothing like going to a real delicatessen and having a hot pastrami, or a huge corned beef on rye (with seeds!) and a fresh pickle. Or finding a corner cafe that sells a great muffaletta or pan bagnat or turkey grinder with seasoned dressing on it. No one would dream of piling meat an inch thick and putting some kind of dressing on it here (UNLESS, of course, it's a hot dog). And the bread... yeah, you can find things that look like nice artisanal breads but once you crack them open, the truth is they just don't cut it. And don't let's get started on cheese! (Has anyone ever seen provolone here-- ie the real thing, not proveletta prefab stuff?) (And what I wouldn't give for some Cabot habanero cheddar.) So. We've got lot's of work to do in terms of the sandwich front here! (And obviously I haven't had a good sandwich in a looong time.) The lucky thing is that due to the availability of all sorts of salamis and sausages, a decent italian sandwich can be had at home-- I do a layer of salami, a layer of cheese, arugula, chopped olives and a salad mix of tomatoes and onions marinated with salt, olive oil and oregano. It is not half bad.

What about lomitos??? doesn't anybody like them? I remember the best ones - with palta, tomate and chukrut - were from the 'Lomiton' in - Tobalaba esquina Providencia - Santiago. But there used to be lomitos in just about every major town in Chile for what I remember, specially in the south with the German influence.

As for peanut butter, 25 years ago you had to be ready to pounce when the Almac or Jumbo had just received an order. But it's not only the gringos who like to hoard them, the Dutch are big on it too. Although they put it on bread that has already been buttered, and then they add salt!

A

Has anyone ever seen provolone here-- ie the real thing, not proveletta prefab stuff?

You may be able to get it in Santiago at Coquinaria or Emporium (I know the one in La Dehesa has real Roquefort and so on). I'll have a look next week and post it in the food section to let you know.

Is there anyone from England here? The reason I want to know is that I am really craving for a fryup. Propa full English, and I cant seem to find the same ingredients. I mean, has anyone found Baked Beans? Decent sausages? BLACK PUDDING? Bacon, yes. but its not the same here.

Luckily, My mate sends me PG Tips, but still, its not the same without the British milk.

Oh, and one more thing. B n H Cigarettes. The gold ones. has anyone got any of these in Chile??? If not, I would love to know where to get them from.

toollatino,
Your cravings for British food would be better satisfied if you lived in Gibraltar or Torremolinos.