Argentinean Steak, Good Enough To Convert Any Vegetarian

Jackie Steves is guest-hosting her Dad’s blog with 17 posts in 17 days. Follow the adventures of Andy and Jackie Steves as they ‘ the first Steves to venture into South America ‘ report on their experience.

After a hearty lunch of pesto tagliatelle and French fries (both could actually be considered Argentinean foods because of its history of fluxes of immigrants from both places), we visited MALBA, the Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires. Waiting in the long line to get in was worth it to see the museum’s small but delightful exhibit. A substantial number of photographs by Mapplethorpe, one of my favorites, struck my fancy.

We explored Calle Florida, which felt like the Champs-Elysées of Buenos Aires, packed with pedestrians and high-class shops. We entered Galerías Pacífico, a fancy mall to get to Centro Cultural Borges for three floors of photography exhibits.

On our long walk back across downtown we were surprised NOT to witness a crash, as rush hour traffic here is crazy! They have especially wide avenidas, and during certain times of day, gridlock is so bad that only a couple of cars can squeeze through at each green light.

We went to a classy steakhouse (not all-you-can-eat) to commemorate our final night in Buenos Aires with Nicole. We ordered just two steaks between the three of us, which turned out to be huge slabs of perfectly seared beef on wooden boards framed by 10 “sides” ‘ ramekins of, for instance, sundried tomato or mustard sauce.

As a flexitarian for environmental reasons, my guilt over contributing to deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions by creating more demand for cow products was overshadowed by how much I enjoyed this blissful Argentinean beef. Steak, wine, and warm chocolate cake made this one big aphrodisiac/endorphin-producing meal, and it showed on our faces.

The cold rain here and Nicole’s hype about Rio made us so excited for our next destination, a sunny city of beautiful people who really know how to embrace the sweet life.

Comments

11 Replies to “Argentinean Steak, Good Enough To Convert Any Vegetarian”

  1. “my guilt for contributing to deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions by creating more demand for cow products was overshadowed by how much I enjoyed this blissful Argentinean beef” I am sure this is exactly how Al Gore feels while at 40,000ft above this little blue marble in his private jet traveling to his 100ft house boat for a little relaxation. Do as I say, not as I do, the liberal creed.

  2. Or, just say No to to drugs. I meanwhile will continue to have my evening cocktail made with the most abused drug, alcohol. Peasants should do as they are told, and leave us rich powerful conservatives alone. Just serve us and fight the wars we start.

  3. If you are so worried about deforestation and leaving your carbon footprint everywhere, why do you travel incessantly? Can you say h-y-p-o-c-r-i-t-e? I`d hardly consider Rick or Jackie Steves rich, powerful conservatives. Maybe rich.

  4. I think Nancy was mocking the person signed in as Al Bore, and not the Steves. I believe Rick and ETBD buy carbon offsets to lessen their impact on the environment. This is as repulsive to conservatives as cap and trade. Why do people who call themselves conservatives oppose conserving our environment, God`s creation entrusted to us?

  5. most beef grazes on pasture land, which is just grass. it`s finished on grains in feedlots, but lives most of its life on land that isn`t good enough for raising crops. how does that add to deforestation? as for greenhouse gases, you`re not talking about cow farts, are you?

  6. I`m with Barbara, Miz Jackie: just keep pressing on and continue to discover the world on your own terms (and now you see where honestly and forthrightness gets you, huh?)

  7. Matthew, I am not claiming to be a perfect steward of the environment by any means, but I wanted to fill you in on the effects of meet consumption on the environment. The following was taking from FAO (The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations). “According to a new report published by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the livestock sector generates more greenhouse gas emissions as measured in CO2 equivalent – 18 percent – than transport.” “The livestock sector accounts for respectively 37 percent of all human-induced methane (23 times as warming as CO2), which is largely produced by the digestive system of ruminants, and 64 percent of ammonia, which contributes significantly to acid rain.” “Livestock now use 30 percent of the earth`s entire land surface, mostly permanent pasture but also including 33 percent of the global arable land used to producing feed for livestock, the report notes. As forests are cleared to create new pastures, it is a major driver of deforestation, especially in Latin America where, for example, some 70 percent of former forests in the Amazon have been turned over to grazing.” “The livestock business is among the most damaging sectors to the earth`s increasingly scarce water resources, contributing among other things to water pollution, euthropication and the degeneration of coral reefs. The major polluting agents are animal wastes, antibiotics and hormones, chemicals from tanneries, fertilizers and the pesticides used to spray feed crops. Widespread overgrazing disturbs water cycles, reducing replenishment of above and below ground water resources.”

  8. Jackie, if you actually believe any of what you just wrote how can you possibly keep eating beef??? I think Al Bore has a a point. Keep eating your beef and forget this global warming nonsense.

  9. I had the best couple months of my life in Buenos Aires and Rosario, Argentina. Even the ugly people were beautiful. I didn`t understand the crazy traffic. A 3 lane street would have 4 to 5 lanes worth of cars weaving in and out of each other, and never a crash! It`s like everyone ignores the painted lane divisions. I recommend the city of La Boca, the birthplace of Tango. The buildings are painted in bright multi colors, and the people are eager to share their art of dance. Gracias Jackie, eres muy hermosa, y me gusta sus blogs!

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