Merken

Because we haven't done anything exciting recently to report, I am sending a recipe that is so dang good it will knock your socks off. Problem is, that last ingredient is a shake of a spice combination that I don't think you guys can find in the good ole USA. It's merken. This is a combination of spicy spices that Chileans seem to put or sprinkle on everything. The also mix it with a tiny bit of olive oil and make a thick spread too. Not to be outdone, I too am giving many of my foods a dose of this spice. I made some egg salad the other day that I thought deserved a little zip- merken to the rescue. It comes in this ever so cute shaker bottle, and is well worth the 1200 peses we spent for it. If you can find it, try this recipe. It's sort of a South American bruchetta- that's the only way I can describe it. They put this mixture on bread, sandwiches, salads, meats- anything! And it is EVER so yummy! It is called Pebre.

Pebre

finely chopped tomato

finely chopped fresh cilantro

sliced onion soaked in salt water for 1 hr., then diced small

1garlic head, diced small

salt

olive oil

white vinegar

shake on merken to taste---es todo!"

Anyone that want some of this- let us know. We'll bring some back- whenever we get back. Maybe you all can look for it at Fiesta. It's worth it.