La Bander The National Dish Of Dominican Republic

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La Bandera: The National Dish Of Dominican Republic

“La Bandera” (The Flag) Is the name of the National Dish of Dominican Republic, which represents its National culture, like the Flag. It became a National Dish in……….. and since then it has become an important national culinary representation for Dominicans in the US since an enormous emigration between the years of 1960-1990 became established as a diaspora in New York City. This dish has a blend of the indigenous Spanish, Africans, and even Taìno influences. This is a very filling, satisfying and delicious dish that is cooked very often in the Dominican household, typically for lunch up to 4 times a week and is for sure the largest and most important meal of the day. Is quite healthy as well since it uses local ingredients, which are commonly grown in the country. Is normally consumed at home among family members, friends and sometimes neighbors. Apart from this dish being cook on a normal day for lunch, you can also find it in the buffet of many events, special occasions, at restaurants and even on the street vendors around the cities.
My introduction to this dish was at a young age since I was born and raised in Dominican Republic and rice and beans has been the staple dish for many years before, which is very nutritious and tasty. I was used to eating this dish literally every day for lunch, that if somebody were to ask me what we making for lunch I knew the answer. Sometimes the dish will switch, it will be served with a different type of beans, meat or even the salad would be different than the usual one. It was always some variety but it had the same components. I used to eat it without knowing it had a specific name or that it had a meaning to Dominicans. As growing u...

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...ecause of financial reasons there wasn’t much options. This dish evokes powerful memories from their past. They remember how rice was the most important food crop, and a family had to manage of only a small portion of rice for at least 2 weeks because it was expensive to buy. The beans were grown during the Taínos era which, reminded them of the nobility of them, how friendly, and welcoming their were. It reminded them of the history and how the country has develop. That was the first time the dish had some meaning to me. I realize that it was more than a dish to my parents it was a representation of where they come from, what they overcome, and how this dish no matter were they went it can be trace back to their original roots and give the people some history of their cuisine. This meant a lot to me because I learn to appreciate the dish, and now it had a meaning.

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