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Each month, the participating communities will take on the theme of a different country or city in the form of games, food, and fun. The residents of these communities will learn about a different culture through this program, which will help them broaden their knowledge!

For August 2024, the participating communities will celebrate the culture of San Vicente, Chile! Here are some interesting facts about Chile, as well as some notable places and food this country has to offer.

About San Vicente, Chile

San Vicente de Tagua Tagua, also known as San Vicente, is a city and a Chilean commune located in a Cachapoal province in the O’higgins region. There are estimated to be over 44,000 inhabitants, with 21,000 estimated to live in the urban areas and 18,000 living in the rural ones.¹

San Vicente is home to many beaches and resorts, making it a perfect place for families during the summer time. Some activities that you can do in San Vicente include snorkeling, tours, and sightseeing.²

Fun things to do in Chile

Visit Mountains

There are so many mountains and mountain ranges for hikers and explorers to enjoy in Chile! The Cajón de Maipo is a popular tourist destination where people will hike and ski, as well as visit local restaurants and shops along the way. The El Morado National Monument is another area with plenty of places to hike, ride horses, and explore the beauty of Chile.³

Learn at Museums

Chile is full of wonderful museums that will teach you about the rich history and culture of the country. The San Miguel de Azapa Archaeological and Anthropological Museum features Chinchorro culture and ancient mummies. Another museum is the Gabriela Mistral Museum, featuring the work of a poet and teacher who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1945. The National Museum of Fine Arts was founded in 1880 and features a variety of paintings, sculptures, and graphics by Chilean and foreign artists.⁴

Easter Island

Easter Island is 2,000 miles off the coast of Chile. There are over 900 “moai” statues, which are often called the “Easter Island Heads.” You can take a tour of the island and view the historic sights on your visit, as well as enjoy the local offerings. The only way to get there is through the Santiago airline in Chile, and the flight takes 5.5 hours.⁵

Tour Valparaiso and Viña del Mar

Valparaiso and Viña del Mar are two famous seaside towns in Chile. These beautiful towns offer unique views of architecture, fine dining, sandy beaches, and carriage rides. These seaside towns are the perfect place for your family to relax and enjoy some Chilean culture!⁶

The History of Chilean Food

Chilean food has a rich history, beginning with the Amerindians. They primarily used corn in many of their staple dishes. Eventually, the Spanish came to Chile in 1541, bringing a variety of foods with them, including grapes, walnuts, olives, rice, wheat, citrus fruits, garlic, and spices.⁷

Humitas

Humitas are popular and are made by grinding and cooking corn wrapped in corn husks. In Chile, they are an appetizer or a main dish, but in other countries, they are eaten for breakfast.⁸

Pastel de Choclo

Pastel de Choclo is the Chilean version of Shepard’s pie. This dish is a corn pie stuffed with a meat filling called “pino.” The pino varies from recipe to recipe, but one of the most common pino combinations is beef with spices and onions. On top of the pino, creamed corn is added on top of the other ingredients.⁹

Chilean Tea

Chile has the highest per capita consumption of tea in South America, and is the only South American country where people drink more tea than coffee. Tea consumption first took off in Valparaiso, a major seaside port in Chile. By the end of the 19^th century, tea replaced mate as one of the most preferred drinks of Chileans.¹⁰

Port of Call Food

The dietary teams at the participating communities have put together a menu filled with traditional Chilean eats! Please note that this menu is written for the size of the communities, and you can adjust the quantities for your family. The menu is not final and is subject to change.

Split Pea and Ham Chilean Soup

• 1 cup of softened butter
• 4 cups of chopped yellow onion
• 4 cups of diced carrots
• 4 cups of diced celery
• 2 tablespoons of minced garlic
• 15 cups of dried spilt peas
• 25 cups of chicken broth
• 5 tablespoon of ham base
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 tablespoon of ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon of minced fresh thyme
• 4 cups of chopped ham

1. In a large pot over medium high heat, add the butter and let it melt. Add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Sauté until tender.
2. Add in the split peas and chicken broth. Add in the ham base. Bring to a boil and simmer uncovered for 60-90 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cook until the peas split and the soup has thickened.
3. Add the diced ham back to the soup. Add salt, pepper, and thyme. Garnish with additional ham if needed.

Roasted Chicken Thigh with Cilantro Garlic Sauce, Rice Pilaf and Peas and Carrots

Chicken Thigh Recipe

• 50 EA chicken thigh 5 oz bone in skin on
• 2 cups of soy sauce
• 1 cup of vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon of salt
• 1 tablespoon of ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 cups of minced fresh cilantro
• 5 cups of plain yogurt
• 1 cup of lime juice
• 3 tablespoon of paprika
• 1 cup of vinegar
• 2 cups of ketchup

Method:

1. In a large container, combine all of the ingredients and mix well. Add the chicken and coat well with marinade. Cover, label and refrigerate for 24 hours.
2. Lay the chicken thighs on sheet pan over parchment paper. Roast in the 350f oven for 35 minutes or until the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees or above. Transfer it into service pan.

Cilantro Garlic Sauce

• 6 EA cilantro fresh stems and leaves
• 1 cup of chopped garlic
• 1 of cup lime juice
• 1 cup of vinegar
• Quarter teaspoon of red chili red flakes
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper
• 2 cups of olive oil

Method:

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth consistency.
2. Serve with chicken.

Rice Pilaf

• 15 cups of jasmine rice
• 1 cups of unsalted butter
• 3 cups of sliced almonds
• 2 cups of diced yellow onions
• 1 tbsp of salt
• 1 TBSP of ground black pepper
• 1 cup of vegetable oil
• 1 cup of parsley leaves
• 25 cups of water

Method:

1. Rinse the jasmine rice under cold water numerous times until you see clear water only. Drain completely.
2. Sautee the onion and almonds in butter and oil until they are golden brown. Add the seasoning and herbs. Mix well.
3. Add the rice and sauté for 5 minutes. Then add water, cover, lower heat, and cook for 25 minutes.
4. Fluff with a fork and some softened butter. Transfer into a service pan.

Buttered Peas and Carrots

• 10 lbs of frozen peas and carrots mix
• 1 cup of unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons of garlic minced
• 1 tablespoon of ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon of salt
• 1 cup of lemon juice
• 1 cup of minced parsley
• 2 cups of diced onions

Method:

1. Defrost the vegetables, preferably overnight in a cooler.
2. Sautee the onion and garlic in butter, then add vegetables. Add all of the other ingredients and seasonings.
3. Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes, then transfer it into a service pan.

Baked Apple with Caramel

• 25 EA granny smith apples cut in half and cored
• 2 cups of brown sugar
• 4 cups of white wine
• Half cups of vinegar
• 16 cups of water
• 2 EA fresh rosemary sprigs

Method:

1. In a baking pan, combine all ingredients except the apples and mix well.
2. Submerge apples into the liquid, then cover them with parchment paper and aluminum foil and bake at 350 f oven for 35 minutes or until apple halves are soft. Remove the apples from the liquid and cool down.
3. Transfer the liquid into a sauce pan and mix it with 4 cups of premade caramel sauce. Reduce until thick. Then, cool down to garnish apple halves at service time.

Life Enrichment

Each month, the participating Life Enrichment departments will create a list of fun activities based on the country or city theme for the month. Here are some of the plans our Life Enrichment department is planning for their residents! Please note that this list is not final and activities are subject to change.

Caring Heights

Caring Heights is going to enjoy some empanadas and incorporate stargazing into their activities!

Shenandoah Nursing

The Shenandoah Life Enrichment team is planning out a virtual tour as well as some fun facts. They also want to do a pricing out costs activity to help the residents know how much it would be to actually visit Chile.

Diplomat Healthcare

Diplomat Healthcare plans to educate its residents about the area, as well as help them learn to draw. They will also help the residents learn more about Easter Island and those statues.

Midtown Oaks

Midtown Oaks hosts cooking clubs, and they want to make churros and fresh Chilean salsa with the residents. They also want to host an art club where the residents will make rain sticks and mosaic art of the lapagena rosea (National flower). The residents will also enjoy chair dancing and stretching to traditional Chilean music for their exercise groups.

Saber Healthcare

Saber Healthcare is an organization that provides consulting services to more than 130 buildings across the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, Indiana, and Delaware. To learn more about our company and services, click here.

Saber Healthcare is an organization dedicated to providing consultant services to long-term care providers. This article is for informational purposes and is not meant to be seen as professional advice. Please consult with a medical expert before relying on the information provided.

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Vicente_de_Tagua_Tagua
2. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g2721241-Activities-San_Vicente_Palawan_Island_Palawan_Province_Mimaropa.html
3. https://www.chile.travel/en/where-to-go/destination/cajon-del-maipo/
4. https://www.chile.travel/en/uncategorized/history-and-tradition-read-about-the-museums-in-chile-2/
5. https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/vacationing-in-easter-island
6. https://landedtravel.com/destinations/valparaiso-vina-del-mar/
7. http://www.foodbycountry.com/Algeria-to-France/Chile.html
8. https://www.chileanfoodandgarden.com/chilean-humitas-o-tamales-de-elote/
9. https://gypsyplate.com/pastel-de-choclo/
10. https://www.teainfusiast.com/the-flowering-of-chilean-tea-culture/