The most popular local dishes of the Dominican cuisine

Recipes

1. Habichuelas con Dulce (Sweet Beans Cream)
2. Asopao de Mariscos (A cross between soup and seafood paella)
3. Sancocho (Meats and Root Vegetables Stew)
4. Mangu (Mashed Plantains)
5. Moro de Guandules (Rice and Pigeon Peas)
6. Locrio de Arenque (Rice and Herring)
7. Morir Soñando (Fresh squeezed orange juice and milk)
8. Chivo Picante Guisado (Spicy goat Stew)
9. Pastelon de Yuca (Cassava Torte)
10. Yaniqueques (Fried Crispy Dough)
11. Habichuelas rojas guisadas (Red beans stew)
12. Chicharrones de pollo (Fried Chicken)
13. Pasteles en hoja (Meat and root vegetables wraps)
14. Ninos Envueltos (Rice cake in Cabbage leaf)
15. Pescado Frito (Fried Fish)
16. Pudin de Pan (Bread Pudding)
17. Arroz con Leche (Rice Pudding)

For more information and details about these recipes, please visit:
http://cocinadominicana.com/index.htm

• 1 lb of boiled red kidney beans
• 1 can of sweetened coconut milk
• 1 can of evaporated milk (Carnation)
• 1 cup of milk
• 1 cup of sugar
• 8 cinnamon sticks
• 8 cloves
• ½ tsp of nutmeg
• ½ cup of raisins
• 1 lb sweet potatoes boiled and diced
• Milk cookies (optional)

Directions

In an electric blender, mix the beans and add the three types of milk and continue to mix until blended (drain if you wish).  In a saucepan, bring the mix to a boil, add the sugar and the spices and let it cook over medium heat for approximately 15 minutes. Add the sweet potatoes and the raisins. Serve cold or hot, with milk cookies on top.

Asopao de Mariscos (A cross between soup and seafood paella)
Ingredients

• 2 lb of seafood mix
• 2 ½ cups of rice
• ¾ gallon of water
• 5 tbsp of oil
• 4 tbsp of tomato paste
• ¼ cup of diced bell peppers of different colors
• 1 pinch of oregano
• 1 tsp of crushed garlic
• 1 pinch of black pepper
• ¼ cup of celery, diced
• 1 tbsp of parsley finely chopped
• 1 tbsp of cilantro finely chopped
• 1 tbsp of Tabasco sauce
• Salt to taste

Directions
In a large saucepan stir fry garlic, bell peppers, herbs and black pepper. Add tomato paste and let it fry for a few seconds. Add the seafood and fry for a few seconds. Add half the water and bring to a boil. When the water starts to boil, add the rice. Bring the other half of the water to a boil in a separate saucepan, lowering the heat when it reaches the boiling point. Stir the rice regularly and add water from the other saucepan as necessary to maintain the same water level until the rice is soft. Serve hot with avocados or tostones (fried plantains).

Sancocho (Meats and Root Vegetables Stew)
Cut the meat in small pieces and rub them with lemon, set aside for a while before cooking.

• 1 lb of goat meat
• 1 lb of pork sausage
• 1 lb of pork
• 2 lbs of beef with bones
• 1 whole chicken (2 lb)
• 2 lbs of pork rib chops
• 1 lb of smoked ham bones
• 2 lemons
• 1 tbsp of crushed garlic
• 4 tbsp of oil
• 2 large green peppers, diced
•  ½ lb of cassava, cubed
• ½ lb of Yam, cubed
• 2 tbsp of celery
• ½ lb of taro, cubed
• ½ lb of potatoes, cubed
• 3 green plantains, 2 of them cubed
• 2 beef bouillon cubes (pork or chicken may be used as well)
• 2 corns cut in pieces (optional)
• ½ tsp of ground oregano
• ½ tsp of cilantro
• 2 tsp of vinegar
• 2 tbsp hot sauce or sour orange juice

Directions
Place the beef in a bowl and add the herbs, the garlic, the vinegar, the spices and the salt. Mix evenly. In a large saucepan heat the oil, add the beef and stir. Cover and cook for one minute, then stir again. Add a few spoonfuls of water if the mixture sticks to the saucepan. Continue this process for 20 minutes.  Add the pork and let it fry for 15 minutes, adjusting the water level as necessary. Add the rest of the meats and the bouillon cubes to the mixture, and let it cook over low heat (stirring and adjusting the water level regularly) for another 10 minutes.
 Add ¼ gallon of water and bring to boiling point.  Add the yam and the taro and the two green plantains that had been cubed earlier. Let it boil for 10 minutes. Grate the remaining plantain and add to the mixture. Add all the remaining ingredients and adjust the water level as necessary. Stir regularly to prevent sticking. Let it boil until the ingredients are soft and the mixture thickens. Add salt to taste. Serve warm accompanied with white rice.

Mangu (Mashed Plantains)
Peel the plantains and cut in pieces before cooking.
Ingredients

• 4 green plantains
• 4 tbsp of butter
• 1 cup of cold water
• Salt

Directions
Boil the plantains in water with 2 tsp of salt, until tender. Remove from heat and mash plantains, adding the butter and water until the mix is very soft.

Moro de Guandules (Rice and Pigeon Peas)
Ingredients

• 4 cups of rice
• 2 cups of boiled pigeon peas
• 4 cups of water
• 2 cups of coconut milk
• 5 tbsp of oil
• 4 tsp of tomato paste
• ¼ cup of diced green bell peppers
• 1 pinch of oregano
• ½ tsp of crushed garlic
• ¼ cup of chopped celery
• 1 tsp of minced parsley
• 1 tsp of minced cilantro
• 1 cube of chicken bouillon
• Salt

Directions
Heat a small amount of oil in a saucepan. Add the garlic, the herbs, the spices, the bouillon, tomato paste and the salt. Stir and add the pigeon peas. Let it fry for a little while. Add the rest of the water and the coconut milk and bring to a boil. Add the rest of the ingredients, including the rice (set aside the remaining half of the oil). Stir regularly to avoid sticking. When all the water has evaporated, cover with a lid and cook over low heat for 15 minutes. Then stir and add the rest of the oil and cover again. Wait another 5 minutes. Taste the rice, the inner part must be firm but cooked. If necessary, cover and let it cook for another 5 minutes over very low heat.

Locrio de Arenque (Rice and Herring)
Soak the herring in water for several hours before cooking.
Ingredients

• 4 cups of rice
• 2 lb of smoked herring
• 6 cups of water
• 5 tbsp of oil
• 4 tbsp of tomato paste
• ½ cup of red bell peppers diced
• ¼ cup of capers (optional)
• 1 tsp of crushed garlic
• ¼ cup of minced celery
• 1 tsp of minced parsley (optional)
• Salt

Directions

In the same water used to soak the herring, boil it until it is so soft that it starts to fall apart. Let it sit and cool down, remove herring from the water and remove the skin and the bones. Put aside the water used to boil the herring and add more fresh water, if necessary, to complete six cups.

In a saucepan, heat a little bit of oil, add the garlic, the herbs, the tomato paste, capers and spices. Stir and add the herrings. Add the water you set aside earlier and adjust the salt to taste. Bring to a boil.

When the water starts to boil, add the rice. Stir regularly to avoid sticking. When the water has evaporated, cover with a lid and cook over very low heat for 15 minutes. Uncover, stir, and add the oil and cover again. Cook for another 5 minutes. Taste the rice, it must be firm but cooked. If necessary, cover and let it cook for another 5 minutes over very low heat.

Morir Sonando (Orange juice and milk)
Prior preparation: Mix sugar and milk and refrigerate until cold.
Ingredients

• 2 cups of orange juice
• ½ cup of sugar
• 2 cups of water
• 4 cups of evaporated milk
• 2 cups of ice cubes

Directions

Mix the ice and the sweetened milk. Add the orange juice slowly, stirring constantly. Serve immediately. 

Chivo Picante Guisado (Spicy goat Stew)
Prior preparation: wash the meat with cold water and rub it with lemon. Cut in medium size pieces.
Ingredients

• 4 lb of goat meat
• 2 lemons cut in halves
• 3 green bell peppers
• 2 tsp crushed garlic
• ½ tsp ground oregano
• 1 small red onion cut in quarters
• 4 tomatoes cut in quarters
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp of oil
• 2 jalapeno peppers finely chopped (or Tabasco sauce)
• Salt

Directions

Season the meat with pepper, salt, garlic, onion, green peppers and oregano, set aside. In a saucepan, heat the oil and add the sugar. When the sugar is brown, add the meat and fry until golden brown.  Add a cup of water and cover. Cook over medium heat until the meat is tender. Adjust the water as necessary to avoid burning. When the meat is almost soft, add the rest of the ingredients. When all the ingredients are soft, reduce the liquid to obtain a light sauce.  

Pastelon de Yuca (Cassava Torte)
Butter a 3” deep baking pan and heat in oven at 200°C.

• 2 lb of cassava
• ½ cup of mozzarella cheese finely sliced
• ½ cup of butter
• ¼ lb of ground pork
• 2 tbsp of oil
• 1 basil bunch finely chopped
• 1 tbsp of tomato paste
• 1 small red onion diced
• 1 green pepper diced
• 1 pinch of ground pepper
• 1 pinch of oregano
• Salt

Directions

In a saucepan, heat a tbsp of oil. Add the ground meat and stir to cook evenly.  Add two tbsp of water, the pepper, the oregano, onion, green pepper, basil, a pinch of salt and the tomato paste. Let it cook over low heat adjusting the water when necessary. When the meat is cooked allow most of the water to evaporate and adjust salt to taste. Remove from heat and set aside.

Peel the cassava and boil it in water adding a tsp of salt. When the cassava is soft, remove from heat. Drain the water immediately and mash the cassava adding the butter until the mix is very soft.  Spread a third of the mix in the baking pan. Cover with one third of the cheese and add half of the meat. Add another layer of the mix, then another third of the cheese and the rest of the meat. Cover with the rest of the mix and slices of cheese.  Put in the oven until the cheese is golden. Serve hot.

Yaniqueques (Fried crispy dough)

Ingredients

• 2 cups of flour
• 1 tsp of baking soda
• 3 tbsp of cold water
• Salt

Directions

Combine the baking soda with the water. Pour over the flour and mix well by hand to obtain dough that is elastic and shining. Extend the dough to make a thin layer, cut in circles. Perforate in the center with a fork and fry in hot oil until golden. Set on paper towels for a minute before serving. Serve warm.

Habichuelas rojas guisadas (Red beans stew)
Ingredients

• 2 cups red beans cooked
• 1 lb bones of pork chops (optional)
• 2 cups water
• 1 small red onion cut in quarters
• 1 cube of chicken bouillon
• 1 tsp parsley chopped
• 1 tsp cilantro chopped
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 3 tbsp oil
• ½ tsp crushed garlic
• 1 pinch of oregano
• Salt

Directions

Heat 3 tbsp of oil. Add the bones of pork chops and fry for a while. Add the oregano, onion, tomato paste, garlic and herbs. Mix and add two tablespoons of water. When most of the water has evaporated, add the chicken bouillon. Add the beans and three cups of water. Mix regularly to prevent burning on the bottom; adjust the water until it reaches a creamy consistency. Adjust the salt to taste. Serve with white rice, salad and meat.

Chicharrones de pollo (Fried Chicken)
Prior preparation: cut the chicken into thick strips. Leave the skin on the chicken strips.

• 2 lb boneless chicken
• ½ cup flour
• 1 pinch oregano
• 1 pinch ground black pepper
• 2 cups of oil
• Salt

Directions
Mix flour, black pepper, oregano and salt. Cover the chicken with the mix. Heat the oil in a deep frying pan and fry the chicken until golden.  Set on a paper towel so it absorbs the excess oil. Serve hot.

Pasteles en hoja (meat and root vegetable wraps)
Prior preparation: peel and finely grate the taro, plantain and yam. Cut the plantain leaves into squares of approximately 20 x 20cm. Wash and set aside.
Ingredients

• 1 green plantain
• ½ lb of taro
• ½ lb of yam
• 1 tsp of seasoning powder
• 3 plantain leaves
• 1 tbsp of oil
• ½ lb ground beef
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp of salt
• 1 small red onion diced
• 1 green pepper diced
• ½  cup ketchup
• 1 tsp Tabasco sauce
• Ground black pepper
• Cooking string

Directions

Place the ground meat in a bowl, mix in the green pepper and the onion. Add a pinch of oregano, a pinch of ground black pepper and a tsp of salt.

In a saucepan heat the oil. Add the meat and mix until cooked evenly. Add two tbsp of water and the tomato sauce. Let it cook over medium heat.  Adjust the water as needed. When the meat is fully cooked, let the liquid evaporate, adjusting the salt to taste. Remove from heat and set aside.

In a bowl, mix the taro, yam, plantain, and the seasoning powder, a tsp of salt and black pepper to taste. Put two tbsp of the mix in the center of one of the leaf squares. Place 1 tsp of meat in the center, cover meat with two additional tbsp of the mix. Wrap and tie tightly with the string. Repeat this process and when you have used all the mix and the meat, heat the water in a deep saucepan. When the water reaches boiling point, add one tbsp of salt. Place all the wraps in the boiling water and let them boil for 15 minutes over medium heat.

Unwrap before serving. Serve with ketchup and Tabasco sauce.

Niños Envueltos (Rice cake in Cabbage leaf)
Prior preparation: separate the cabbage leaves. Bring water to a boil, remove the water from heat and place cabbage leaves in the hot water with a tsp of salt until they are soft.
Ingredients

• 3 cups of rice cooked according to our recipe for white rice
• 1 large cabbage
• ½ lb ground beef
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp of salt
• 1 small red onion
• 1 green pepper
• 1 tsp of Tabasco sauce
• Ground black pepper

Directions
Dice the green pepper and onion. Put the meat in a mixing bowl, mix in the green pepper and the onion, adding a pinch of oregano, a pinch of black pepper and a tsp of salt.
Heat a tbsp of oil in a saucepan. Add the ground beef and stir until evenly cooked. Add two tbsp of water and tomato paste. Let it cook over medium heat. Adjust the water as necessary. When the meat is cooked let the water evaporate, adjusting the salt to taste. Remove from heat and set aside.
Put two tbsp of rice in the center of a cabbage leaf. Put 1 tsp of meat in the center and over the rice, cover with two additional tbsp of rice, wrap and place in a baking pan. When you have used all the rice and meat, put two tbsp of water in the baking pan, cover with foil and place in the oven over low heat for 10 minutes.

Pescado Frito (Fried Fish)
Prior preparation: clean the fish if you are going to use whole fish.
Ingredients

• Fish for 4 people
• 2 lemons cut in quarters
• 4 cups of oil
• 1 cup of flour (if using whole fish)
• Black ground pepper
• Salt

Directions
Season the fish with pepper and salt. If using whole fish, cover it with flour, shaking the excess before frying. In a frying pan, heat the oil and deep fry the fish until golden brown. Serve with white rice, vegetable or fried green plantains.

Pudin de Pan (Bread Pudding)
Prior preparation: Butter a 3” deep baking pan and sprinkle it with brown sugar. Set the oven at medium heat (200°C).
Ingredients

• ½ cup of soft butter
• 4 cups of evaporated milk
• 4 cups of water
• 3 cups of bread cubes
• ¼ cups of corn starch
• 1 cup of sugar (set aside 4 tbsp for the caramel sauce)
• 1 tsp of baking soda
• ½ cup of raisins
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 3 eggs
• 1/8 cup of rum
• 1 tbsp vanilla
• 10 cloves
• 1 pinch of salt

Directions

Mix the eggs for one minute. Set aside.  Break the cinnamon sticks into 1” pieces. Heat the milk and remove from the heat right before it reaches boiling point. Mix all the ingredients (except the bread). Place the bread pieces in the baking pan and pour the mix over the bread.  Set aside for one hour at room temperature.

Bake the mix for 45 minutes. In the meantime, prepare a light caramel sauce with 4 tbsp of sugar and half cup of water.  Set aside the caramel sauce.

Insert a clean knife in the center of the mix. If the mix doesn’t stick to the knife, take the bread pudding out of the oven.  Let it cool down before removing from the baking pan. Cover with the caramel sauce. 

Arroz con Leche (Rice Pudding)
Prior Preparation:  Soak the rice in a mix of 1 cup of milk and 1 cup of water and refrigerate for two hours.
Ingredients

• 4 cups of evaporated milk
• 6 cups of water
• 1 cup of sugar
• 1/3 cup long grain rice
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• ¼ cup raisins
• 2 tbsp of butter
• 1 pinch of salt
• ½ tsp of cloves
• 1/8 tsp of ground nutmeg

Directions

Heat four cups of water in a saucepan; add cloves, cinnamon and salt. Bring to a boil and add the rice (including the milk and water you used to soak the rice). Stir regularly to avoid sticking to the bottom of the saucepan. Adjust the water as needed and, when the rice is very soft, add the milk and half of the sugar. When the mix starts to boil, add the raisins and the rest of the sugar.

When the mix reaches a thick consistency, almost solid, remove from heat and serve immediately in small cups or dessert bowls.  Sprinkle with ground nutmeg and let it cool down. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.