Completos, Empanadas, Jugos

These are the little boogers I have referred to several times in this blog. 
The completo is a hot dog made with freshly baked bread then smother the entire thing with guacamole and some kind of cheese spread on top.  YUM!
I had never had an empanada with anything but dessert type fillings.  Here they make them with all kinds of fillings.  We love the napolitano type with tomatoes, cheese and meat but they make them with cheese, shrimp, seafood of all kinds, sausages, etc. etc.  Then fry them all up to crispy, golden brown.
The jugos are a big issue for me.  I just can't get enough.  They make them with fresh fruit, sugar and water or milk then blend it all up  and .....mmmmm!  Mango, banana is my favorite combination.  The kids love the strawberry, papaya.  Geoff's favorite is orange, pineapple- I think.  We love them.
You know what makes the perfect meal? All 3 of them together!!!  Wow!  Save up the month of calories for this!

 My favorite Completo stand

Video of La Serena Beach

Here is a quick view of La Serena beach.  It is a beautiful day so I thought I would take a quick video to share.  We haven't had very many cloudless days.  It's kindof chilly here in Chile without the sun.

AND we found housing!  Yay!  Kindof.  It will be about 10-15 minutes from this beautiful beach but we need to get out of here fast.  From what we understand, starting in January this place is packed and it takes about an hour and a half to get out off the beach road.  And, all the places charge $200 and up per day to rent.  We will miss this view--- A TON!

Baking in Chile

Sugar = Azucar
Flour = Harina
Brown Sugar =  Azucar Rubia or Azucar Mascabado
Salt = Sal (easy!)
Eggs = Juevos (sold not cold)
Baking Powder = Polvo para Hornear
Baking Soda = Bicarbonato
Cornstarch = Almidon de Maiz
Vanilla = Vainilla
Cinnamon = Canela
Almond = Almendra
Butter = Mantequilla
Shortening = Manteca (sold in packets in the fridge aisle with butter)
Nutmeg = Nuez Moscada
Sour Cream = Crema Acida (kind of really sour and runny)
Milk = Leche (sold in boxes not cold)
Heavy Whipping Cream = Crema para Batir
Oven = Horno

There are approximately 225 grams in 1 cup of butter

Note to self:  get baking products in Santiago!  Chocolate chips are difficult to find and expensive.  Pecans are difficult to find as well.  So is brown sugar.

In case anybody was wondering!

Raking the beach

Ok seriously???  The first time we saw them raking the beach I thought it may have just been some kind of clean up thing.  But no!  These guys rake the beach every day!!!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving finally came!  We celebrated the Sunday after.  Geoff took me out to several different stores to find kitchen tools: baking dishes, pans, measuring cups and spoons, silverware, dishes, etc. etc.  Then we had to find ingredients.  Somehow Geoff found turkey!  He brought home a nicely cut up turkey.  Since it was in pieces it fit in the oven nicely!  It was perfect.  Here is a picture of our feast.

Here was our menu:
Turkey
Mashed potatoes
Holiday potatoes
Raspberry pretzel jello
Green Salad
Pumpkin pie
Banana cream pie
Strawberry mango pie

We invited a couple of Inthinc employees, Marcos and Diego with his wife Ivy, and the missionaries and a family in our ward.  Our house was full and we had a great day!