Vatican officials have announced that Pope Francis has passed away at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy of 12 years of service as the first Argentinian pope. As the world mourns his passing, it’s a great time to revisit his favorite foods from Argentina and Italy.
Pope Francis was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he grew up surrounded by classic Argentinian cuisine. Empanadas were his go-to snack, with a filling of meat or cheese being his preferred choice. The Vatican Cookbook notes that empanadas are made with flour-based dough, similar to puff pastry, and can feature various fillings such as beef tri-tip.
When it came to dessert, Pope Francis had a sweet tooth for subtle treats like chocolate cake and alfajores – a type of cookie sandwich filled with dulce de leche. In Eating with Pope Francis, chef David Geisser recalls the pope’s fondness for alfajores, saying he’d often smile and hand him one as a gift to brighten his day.
As an Italian native, Pope Francis was also well-versed in traditional Italian dishes like bagna càuda – a hot dip made from olive oil, butter, garlic, anchovies, and herbs. His love for pizza was evident too, with the pope once expressing a desire to enjoy a simple slice without being recognized.
In honor of his favorite foods, we’re sharing recipes inspired by Pope Francis’ Argentine and Italian heritage. From empanadas with chorizo and potato to homemade pizza dough, try these dishes this week as a tribute to the late pope.
Source: https://www.eatingwell.com/pope-francis-favorite-foods-11719124