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Mike Cropano

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Reach My Goal

Raised

$5,217

My Goal

$5,000

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I'm fundraising for EMpower!

I am taking on the EM GIVES Challenge in an effort to empower 1,000 of the most marginalized young people in Latin America. I will cook a full meal over a 4 week time frame (because, yes, my cooking skills are that sub-par). Each week will feature an individual course inspired by a different Latin American country. I'll be posting videos/photos of the final product every week (as well as the inevitable burnt food / bloopers).

Week 1: Beef Empanadas from Mexico

Week 2: Peruvian ceviche

Week 3: Argentine Steak with Chimichurri sauce

Week 4: Brazilian-style churros with caramel sauce

Join me as I take on this challenge and help me achieve my fundraising goal by donating to my page! 

About EMpower:

EMpower – The Emerging Markets Foundation is a global philanthropic foundation focused on empowering marginalized young people in emerging market countries.

They partner with local, community-based organizations in 15 EM countries that enable young people’s successful transition into productive, healthy adulthood, developing the next generation of leaders.

My Achievements

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Received First Donation

50% of Fundraising Target

100% of Fundraising Target

Surpassed Fundraising Goal

My Updates

Week 4: Brazilian-style Churros with caramel sauce

Wednesday 18th Nov
Ingredients: 150g unsalted butter (chopped), 1 Tbsp confectioners' sugar, pinch fine salt, 250g plain flour, 3 free-range egg yolks, 100g ricotta, vegetable oil for deep frying, 1/2 cup cinnamon sugar, 1 cup caramel sauce

Put butter, sugar, salt, and 375ml in a large saucepan over medium heat. Once simmering, sift in flour. Cook, stirring, until mixture comes away from the sides of pan. Set aside to cool before adding egg yolks to prevent the eggs from scrambling. Mix in yolks and ricotta. Put in a piping bag fitted with a star-shaped nozzle. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Heat oil in a large frying pan. Pipe in batter and fry until golden and crisp. Drain on paper towel. Dust with cinnamon sugar and serve with caramel sauce.

Week 4: Brazilian-style Churros with caramel sauce

Wednesday 18th Nov

Week 3: Argentine Steak with Chimichurri

Tuesday 10th Nov
Chimichurri: 1/2 Cup Olive Oil, 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar, 1/2 cup finely chopped parsley, 4 cloves garlic minced, 1 red chili deseeded and finely chopped, 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon coarse salt, pepper to taste.
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Allow to sit 10 minutes to release all of the flavors into the oil before using. Ideally, let it sit for more than 2 hours

Skirt Steak: 1.5 pounds of 1/2 inch thick skirt steak (outer skirt preferred). Take steak out of fridge and allow to come to room temperature first. Put cast iron pan on medium-high flame and allow pan to get extremely hot for 3-5 minutes. Coat both sides of steak with olive oil. Season with coarse salt and pepper. Cook steak for 2min - 2min - 1min - 1min intervals, flipping at each interval, for medium rare.

Week 3: Argentine Steak with Chimichurri

Monday 9th Nov

Week 2: Peruvian Ceviche

Monday 2nd Nov

Week 1: Beef Empanadas from Mexico

Tuesday 27th Oct

Thank you to everyone who has sponsored me thus far! Check out the video below for a look at last week's challenge. Don't forget to use your favorite hot sauce. I paired the beef empanadas with a cucumber margarita!

Empanada Recipe: https://www.munatycooking.com/beef-empanadas/

Drink Recipe: 1.5 ounces silver tequila, 1.5 ounces fresh lime juice, 3 ounces cucumber juice

Week 1: Beef Empanadas from Mexico

Tuesday 27th Oct

Thank you to my Sponsors

$262.50

Jason Schleifer

$262.50

Seon Song

$262.50

Seon-a Song Corporate Match

$262.50

Cormac Walsh

Nyum Nyum

$262.50

David

$262.50

Adam Groothuis

$210

Mike Cropano

$157.50

Mike Cropano

$150

Anonymous

uber eats on the way to pick some up lets gooo

$105

Brogan

Taller flames please!

$105

Rekha Nair

Can't wait to watch your culinary skills in action!

$105

Christina Ronac

$105

Katia M

good luck in your challenge, Mike!

$105

Oscar Lopes

Great cause Crop! Which week is Cacio e Pepe?

$105

Evan Li

Keen to see the crisp on the churros

$105

Amelia Cropano

All looks great! I am very proud of you in caring for those much in need.

$105

Charlie A.

What, no mmmmeatballs…??!!

$105

Calabrese Family

Great cause Mike! Good luck. Keep that fire extinguisher handy!

$105

Julio

Envoy the Ceviche!

$105

Zachary Ostrowski

Vod parms AD!

$105

Alex Atallah

Keep eating

$105

Charlotte Creager

Great cause Mike!

$105

John Maliszewski

$105

Michael Baptista

$105

Rushi Sheth

Good Luck!

$105

Lynelle Chen

Good luck!

$105

Andy Schlesinger

I hope you're a better trader than you are a cook....

$105

Vinny Medeiros

$105

Victor Lugo

Bon appetit and good on you, Mike - enjoy!!

$100

Michael Fishkin

$100

Lindsey Spink

$100

Anonymous

$52.50

Dan Bowers

good luck Mike

$52.50

Benjamin Fornecker

$52.50

Sean Rivas

$52.50

Gareth Moses

Where's the picture??

$52.50

Elliot Conn

$52.50

Jaymeson Kumm

Way to go MC!

$52.50

R Cascais

$52.50

Rekha Ramdas

Good Luck Crops!!!

$52.50

Felipe Tiraboschi

Great cause, Mike! Good luck!

$50

Grace Evans

bon appetit!

$50

Anonymous

CROPSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

$50

Sean Lawrence

good luck mike!

$50

Shirley Fu

Love this initiative!!

$21

Catrina Cropano

$20

Lucie R

Good Luck and Bon Appetit!

$10.50

Joachim

Our Team