Riu food - always to remember
If you are staying at one of the larger hotels or resorts, we recommend that you take the opportunity to have a look at the full range of foods on offer. Along with the variety of international dishes on display, almost all hotels will present their guests with a couple of traditional Dominican options, as much for their Dominican guests as in the hope that the visitors from abroad will also sample them. Dominicans are justly proud of their cuisine, and enjoy sharing it with visitors, who more often than not do not regret deciding to try something different. Dominican cuisine has a lot in common with the gastronomic traditions of the neighboring islands of Puerto Rico and Cuba, as well as with the country it shares the island of Hispaniola with, Haiti. It has less in common with other Latin American countries, although there are some shared traditions there too. The different cultural influences that combined to make the Dominican people are also reflected in their favorite foods. The three primary ingredients in this recipe are Spanish, Taino and African, with a peppering of Italian, Chinese and Arab. The breakfast buffet will always include mangu, which is a savory puree made with mashed plantains, yautia (taro) or yuca (cassava). Another variation of mangu is 'mazamorra', made with the pumpkin-like squash known in the Dominican Republic as 'auyama'. 'Mangu' is traditionally served with fried red onions, and can also be accompanied by fried white cheese, eggs or salami. On the menus, you will see mentions of 'salsa criolla' or Creole sauce, which is the Dominican name for a vegetable based sauce made with onions, green peppers and tomatoes, which can be combined with fish, shrimp, chicken or other meats. Other popular sauces or seasonings include 'al ajillo' - garlic sauce, or 'a la crema' - similar to a bechamel sauce. The evening meal is usually light, and can be a variation on what is eaten at breakfast, a simple sandwich and hot drink, or in the hotter months, simply a glass of natural fruit juice. Dominicans are also particularly partial to ginger and lemon grass teas, and thick hot chocolate drinks. Street corner food stands and roadside sellers are a picturesque part of the Dominican experience. It is advisable to take this slowly if you are a newcomer to the country, because hygiene is not always that great, and your stomach is still adjusting to being in a different climate. Once you feel you are ready, frituras (fried snacks), chicharrones (pork rinds) pollo frito (fried chicken) and chimichurri (hamburgers) are all there for the taking.
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