Dominican Republic FoodThe Dominican Republic food besides being delicious and tempting is easy and available to everyone. I am not talking about High Cuisine that exists in every country and of course in the Republica Dominicana too. I mean the food the people eat on a daily basis and that can find in any restaurant all over the country.
This is the Tropical Fruits are an integral part of Dominican Food
Similarities with Cuba and Puerto Rico The Dominican food is similar in general to the ones from Spanish speaking countries in the Caribbean, meaning Cuba and Puerto Rico Food. They all have a typical Spanish heritage mixed with local flavors inherited from the Tainos and other natives that were here before Columbus arrived to this island called Hispaniola. It has also an influence of its neighbor Haiti that shares the Hispaniola Island. The food has the exact components as the people of the country, meaning, Spanish, African and Tainos. La Bandera, the flag It is customary to have for lunch “La Bandera”. This is how they call the national dish of the Republic. It is a combination of white rice, red beans, called habichuelas; stewed meat and fried plantains, always accompanied by a small salad or boiled vegetables. I now understand why it is called the flag. It is so typical that they take it with them wherever they go. I remember a friend of mine that told me that if he doesn’t it rice and beans one day it is like he didn’t eat at all.
La Bandera is #1 in Dominican Republic Food
Search our site and the web Mangu When you visit you’ll notice at every breakfast buffet a plate called Mangu, made with mashed plantains, yautia or taro and yucca or cassava. Mangu is traditionally served with fried red onions, and can also be accompanied by fried white cheese, eggs or salami. Rice Like in all the Caribbean rice is the king. I cannot imagine a Puerto Rican or Dominican eating lunch without rice. Rice is prepared in many ways; white is number one but it is also prepared mixed with beans, gandules or pigeon peas, sweet corn or mixed vegetables. And don’t forget the “concon” which is the rice that sticks to the bottom of the pot. It’s crispy and delicious. Fish Being this an island, the supply of fish and seafood is endless. Especially in the resorts on the Dominican Republic beaches, you may have fish or seafood on a daily basis if this is your wish. I once had fish cooked with coconut milk. It was idyllic. Meat The choices are chicken, beef, pork or goat, made in any number of ways, like stewed, fried or roasted. Codfish stew is sometimes served instead of the ‘meat’ option. The ‘bandera’ is usually served with a small mixed salad or a plate of boiled vegetables.
The Mangu is a typical dish of Dominican Republic Food
Sancocho Dominicano This is a tremendous soup like a potage that is a meal by itself, enough it is served with white rice and avocado salad.It is made many meats like chicken, pork and beef, plantains, yucca, yautia, auyama, corn and name; all this seasoned with peppers, onions, garlic, cilantro, parsley and some little cubes of chicken and beef soups. When living in Puerto Rico we had a Dominican maid that was part of the family and she used to cook the Sancocho at least once a week. The children grew up eating Dominican food. Pastel en hoja If you have eaten the tamales in Mexico or Cuba, the pastel is their cousin. They are made instead of plantain instead of corn and in this country the meat is veal or pork. They are wrapped in plantain leaves. Tropical fruits This is a rich agricultural country and you will find all tropical fruits not only in abundance but also with a great sweet favor coming from the rich land of this country. They are served not only during breakfast but during the whole day. Here you’ll taste the sweetest papaya or bananas; passion fruit, pineapples are always in season. The oranges that are called “naranjas” in Spanish, here are called “chinas”, don’t ask me why. When the time of mango arrives usually during summer you’ll feel you are in a mango paradise. Other less known tropical fruits are mamey, zapote and jagua. I hope you will try them all.
Dominican Republic Food without desserts?
No Way.... This is the famous and sweet "Arroz con Leche"
Deserts I am going to mention a few, since I am not a chef I am not dealing with recipes. • Cariñitos de Guayaba For the benefit of my readers I recommend the following experts in Dominican Republic Food:
Image Credits: All courtesy of Wikimedia Commons  Custom Search From Dominican Republic Food go to Republica Dominicana
|
