The “as” is a recent addition to the wide variety of sandwiches in Chilean cuisine and has inherited all the combinations from its older sibling, the Italian hot dog.
Contents
How to make a Chilean Italian “As”
Making a Chilean Italian “as” is essentially preparing an Italian hot dog but instead of sausages, it uses chopped beef steak (“churrasco”), which, unlike the sausage, is intentionally left exposed to showcase its contents.
Nutritional Information
Category: Sandwiches
Cuisine: Chilean
Calories: 350
Preparation: 20 minutes
Cooking: 10 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Traditional Italian “As” Recipe
Ingredients
- 500 g of sliced beef steak
- 4 Italian hot dog buns
- 2 tomatoes
- 2 avocados
- 1 garlic clove
- Mayonnaise
- Oil
- Salt
Preparation
- Peel the avocados, remove the pits, and mash the pulp with a fork. Season with salt and oil to taste. Set aside.
- Peel the tomatoes and dice them into small cubes, season with salt and oil. Set aside.
- Heat a griddle or large pan with a little oil and add the churrascos and finely minced garlic, season with salt, and brown for a couple of minutes on each side, keeping them juicy and preventing them from drying out.
- Split the Italian hot dog buns in half without completely separating them and heat them in the oven or toaster.
- Cut the meat into thin strips and fill the buns with it, add the tomatoes on top, then the avocado, and finally cover with mayonnaise.
- Serve the Italian “as” immediately, optionally accompanied by tea, coffee, or a soft drink.
Origin of the Chilean “As”
According to a 2004 investigation by journalist Ricardo Manzur, the “as” sandwich is said to have originated in a cart selling hot dogs and churrascos on Gabriela Avenue, near the Sótero del Río Hospital.
The creation of the “as” reportedly occurred when the chef at the cart ran out of frica bread for sandwiches and decided to continue assembling them on a special Italian hot dog bun, which was the only one available.
Did You Know?
Since its creation, the “as” enjoyed almost immediate success, especially among nighttime taxi drivers and young people going out partying. The word quickly spread after its creator named it “as,” suggesting it was a hidden ace up his sleeve.
