Tastes of Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Cuba
from www.whats4eats.com and http://www.foodnetwork.com/regional-international/caribbean-recipes/index.html

Spanish and African cultures wield great influence on the cuisine of this expansive region. Like elsewhere in Latin America, Caribbean food and cooking methods differ and often depend on access to the sea or mountains. One uniting characteristic, however, is the passion for celebration, and in this region, there's an endless amount of food-focused festivities.

Depending on the country, you'll find variations on savory dishes such as Mofongo, a tripe stew, and Mondongo, a mashed fried plantain dish made with garlic and pork rind. The Cuban classic, Ropa Vieja, a delicious and tender stewed beef, is prepared throughout these islands. Two secrets to cooking flavorful Caribbean fare are sofrito, a mixture of sautéed garlic, onions, peppers and tomatoes that's used as a base for soups, stews and rice dishes, and recaito, a green version made with cilantro.

Other popular foods include Cuban Sandwiches, Black Bean Soup, Arroz con Leche (rice pudding), Tostones (fried plantains), Mojitos (a refreshing cocktail) and much more. Of course, rice, both yellow and white, and beans, both black and red, are a mealtime must. Although less common, Alcapurrias (meat- or seafood-stuffed banana croquettes), Bacalaitos (codfish fritters) and Chicharrón de Pollo (fried chicken) are also favorites.

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Typical Cuban Dishes

Appetizers

  • Croquetas de Jamón (Ham croquettes)
  • Mariquitas (Plantain chips)
  • Papa Rellenas (Stuffed potato balls)
  • Tostones (Fried plantains)

Salads

  • Ensalada Mixta (Mixed green salad)

Soups and Stews

  • Ajiaco (Beef stew)
  • La Caldosa (Meat and vegetable stew)
  • Sopa de Frijoles Negros (Black bean soup)
  • Sopa de Plátanos (Plantain soup)

Sandwiches

Poultry

  • Arroz con Pollo (Chicken with rice)
  • Pollo al Bloqueo (Blockade chicken)
  • Pollo en Fricasé (Chicken fricassee)

Meats

  • Boliche (Stuffed pot roast)
  • Chorizo (Spicy pork sausage)
  • Lechon Asado (Roast pork)
  • Pernil (Roasted Pork Leg)
  • Picadillo (Ground beef hash)
  • Ropa Vieja (Shredded beef)
  • Vaca Frita (Flank steak fried with onions)

Fish and Seafood

  • Langosta Criolla (Lobster braised in chili sauce)
  • Pargo a la Criolla (Red snapper in creole sauce)

Vegetables and Beans

  • Congri (Red beans and rice)
  • Fufu (Mashed plaintains)
  • Moros y Cristianos (Black beans and rice)
  • Yuca Frita (Cassava fries)

Breads and Grains

  • Congri (Red beans and rice)
  • Congri Orientál (Yellow rice with beans)
  • Media Noche (Grilled ham and cheese sandwich)
  • Moros y Cristianos (Black beans and rice)
  • Paella (Rice with chicken and seafood)
  • Pan Duro (Crusty bread)

Sauces, Condiments and Oils

  • Achiote (Annatto oil)
  • Alcaparrado (Seasoning mix of olives, raisins and capers)
  • Mojo (Garlic sauce)
  • Salsa Criolla (Tomato-onion-pepper sauce)

Preserves

  • Mermelada de Guayaba (Guava marmelade)

Desserts

  • Bunuelos (Fried figure-eight donuts)
  • Churros (Deep-fried pastry dough)
  • Coco Quemado (Coconut pudding)
  • Cucurucho (Coconut candy)
  • Guayaba con Queso (Guava with cheese)
  • Natilla (Caramel custard)
  • Pan Dulce (Sweet rolls)

Beverages

  • Batidos (Fruit milkshakes)
  • Café (Strong, sweet coffee)
  • Cuba Libre (Rum and cola with lime)
  • Guarapiña (Fermented pineapple juice)
  • Guarapo (Sugarcane juice)
  • Mojitos (Rum, lime and mint cocktail)