Indian Secret

A couple days ago the temperature in Santiago dropped like 20 degrees and I caught a cold which has rendered me worthless. I can't work, or even do any serious blog entries. Nevertheless, I will survive.


I wanted to blog up a recipe that I just boiled up, an amazing Chilean infusion to improve breathing, support the immune system, and secure eternal youth. I learned it at an almacén, or "corner store" in Santiago, a city where there are about 3-4 corner stores between every 2 cross streets. I'm confused too. Point is, it's the wise corner store owner who carves out a niche to distinguish himself from the rest.

I was a victim of this nichification the last time I had bronchitis, and received a two-hour crash course in Mapuche infusion recipe.

Here's the recipe:

You need:

1 head romanian lettuce
4 avocado pits
1/2 bundle of dried sea kelp
2 spoonfuls organic honey
6 cups purified water

Here's what you do:

1. Pour all the water into a big pot with the lettuce and start it heating up
2. Finely chop the avocado pits. I usually use a grater until my fingers start bleeding and then chop up the rest as finely as I can. It's important to get the most you can out of these.
3. Chop the dried kelp into sticks and throw it into a frying pan until it starts making popping sounds. (It gets really loud, and pops rapidly like firecrackers). Be sure to turn them over frequently, don't let them blacken. Goggles and earplugs might be a good idea. Turn off the heat after a few minutes, then immediately...
4. Add the toasted kelp and the avocado pits into the water with the lettuce. Bring it all to a boil for 30 seconds, then take it back down.
5. Once it stops boiling, add as much honey as you want.
6. Stir it up a little bit and then serve. Should fill up about 4 tall glasses.
7. Take an ibuprofen.

In about half an hour you'll feel really great.

For my illiterate readers, below is a visual display of a few of the more exotic ingredients.

Dried kelp. In Chile, it's called cochayuyo.




Yes, Brita does exist in Chile. You can buy this at Sodimac (formerly Home Depot):



Avocado Pits. Use your imagination.



Guacamole. Why not.