Barbecue vs Grilling

These two terms are used interchangeably and often seen as one and the same, but say this to any pitmaster and they will correct you on the spot. 

Barbecuing requires skill, time, patience and the mastery of fire and smoke to masterfully break down the protein, collagen and render fat in big cuts of meat to convert them into tasty, succulent meat-sterpieces that brings a tear to a grown man's eye. 

Grilling is a simpler affair. High heat and relatively thinner cuts of meat are the norm. Lately, the popularization of techniques such as reverse searing has reinvigorated and lifted the art of grilling to new heights. 

The main difference in choosing between barbecuing and grilling is TIME. In places like Paraguay, where the time seemingly slows down, barbecuing is favored. In contrast, the Dutch seem to have a tighter lock on time, which is reflected on the meat choices most commonly found in slagerijen: steaks and sate's. 

In the end, one thing is for sure: barbecuing and grilling with wood charcoal beats the pants out of anything an electric or gas grill can ever cook. 

3 - 1

Paraguay has roughly 20 million head of cattle to 7 million people. That's a lot of beef. It's no wonder that almost every meal and snack in Paraguay has something with beef in it. Being vegetarian in Paraguay is like being lactose intolerant in the Netherlands.

Come hungry or go home

Asados, or barbecues, in Paraguay are as ubiquitous as bitterballen in The Netherlands. Almost every occasion - birthdays, anniversaries, parties, get-togethers - is reason enough to have an asado. And in doing so, the normal amount of meat per person is calculated at 500 gr per person, not to mention all the side dishes, salads and accoutrements. The best way to truly enjoy a Paraguayan asado is to skip the previous meal and come hungry.

Only grass-fed beef

Paraguay is world-renowned for its grass-fed beef. For those who know, grass-fed beef has a unique beefier flavor that reminds us what beef should really taste like. The fat, especially, has a yellowish tint that comes from the grass the cows eat.