Feliz cumpleaños, CHILE (change of pace from politics)

[rabs]

Sept. 18, 200 YEARS of independence from the Iberian empire.


This is what we are having tonight (could not wait until tomorrow.)

The empanadas are of "pino," a combination of ground meat, raisins, boiled eggs, sauteed onions, a little bit of garlic. It has always been the traditional treat on Chile's Independence Day.

Of course there has to be a "tinto" to accompany the empanadas. We chose "Casillero del Diablo" (The Devil's Lair) Cabernet Sauvignon this time.





Of course one has to listen to "Si vas para Chile," composed by the late Chito Faro. Chileans outside of their country listen to this and get all teary. It happened tonight to Ms. Rabs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMudRUNUl90&feature=related
Sang by Las Cuatro Brujas -- The Four Witches.

And here Laura Branigan (not sure who she is) but pretty cool ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MCldJWxfVs&feature=related

So, feliz cumpleaños Chile, where I lived the most intense and wonderful nine years of my life.

[naaman fletcher]

1. No Pisco sour?

I'd have one, but wouldn't possibly no where to get one in Africa. Will have to wait until I get home.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Trapped Chilean miners celebrate national day with meat pies feast

Trapped Chilean miners celebrate national day with meat pies feast
The trapped Chilean miners marked the country’s 200th birthday on Saturday with a traditional feast as the highlight of their unconventional subterranean celebrations.

By Philip Sherwell
Published: 11:17PM BST 18 Sep 2010

Empanada pies stuffed with beef, olives and onions were baked in tubular shape so they could be delivered through the boreholes than connect them to the outside world.

Slices of barbecued steak were also sent down to their refuge half a mile beneath the Atacama desert.

The men had to wash down their meal with soft drinks after doctors vetoed their request for Chilean wine to toast the bicentennial. But they still delivered a rousing rendition of the country’s anthem, captured for the nation via video-link.

A flag signed by the 33 men – there is one Bolivian among them who has been given honorary Chilean status for the celebrations – was sent in the other direction and raised next to the tent camp where relatives are keeping vigil at the surface.

"These 33 miner-heroes, with their iron will, their spirit, their fight, their strength, are an example to all of us of what it means to be Chilean," said senior Interior Ministry official Cristian Barra said as the flag was hoisted.

More:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/chile/8011622/Trapped-Chilean-miners-celebrate-national-day-with-meat-pies-feast.html

http://3.bp.blogspot.com.nyud.net:8090/_-wpI18pmW0g/RuWpiFG_t9I/AAAAAAAAACk/X5n-ArCfnnE/s320/empanadas+y+vino.jpg http://www.santiagodelestero.org.nyud.net:8090/images/empanadas.jpg

[Judi Lynn]

3. Feliz cumpleaños a Chile, and to your loved ones, rabs.

http://www.ilovechile.cl.nyud.net:8090/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/bicentenarioChile.jpg

[EFerrari]

4. That's looks so good!

:toast:

[Judi Lynn]

5. I didn't remember to listen to the videos, since I took right off to look for recipes for empanadas!

Just listened to Las Cuatro Brujas, and also Laura Branigan.

Chile has a powerful history.

The landscape in Chile is almost impossibly beautiful.

That song is beautiful. It would be very meaningful to someone from Chile.

[rabs]

6. Thanks Judi for your well wishes

and hope you make some empanadas one of these days :-)

don't forget the "tinto" ... :-)

Btw, the day after Independence Day is when the traditional military parade is held in Santiago.

Here is a link to the 2009 parade, when Michelle was president. (The parade today is still not up on youtube.) Full-screen viewing recommended.

First part is the Chilean Blue Berets who have participated in U.N. peacekeeping missions in Bosnia, Cyprus, Kosovo, Haiti and other places.

Then there is the Fourth Company of the Chacabuc0 Regiment dressed in colorful, 19th-century uniforms to honor troops who fought aginst Peru and Bolivia in the 1879 War of the Pacific (in which Chile was victorious). The motto of the Chacabuco Regiment is "A Chilean does not surrender, EVER."

After that come the big boys, Might cause a few jaws to drop for those who have never seen the Chilean Army. Will also explain why the Chilean Army has never been defeated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61XJYPw5OE0&feature=related

--------------

Oh, you do not want to mess with these ladies. (Members of the Carabineros national police.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrVXrYlBiAc&NR=1

[EFerrari]

7. (OT: did you find one? Like this?

http://southamericanfood.about.com/od/snacksstreetfood/r/empanadaschile.htm

Do you really use ground beef or is that a grigoism? I have to try this. lol)