Indepence in the D.R.

After three centuries of Spanish rule, with French and Haitian interludes, the country became independent in 1821 but was quickly taken over by Haiti. Victorious in the Dominican War of Independence in 1844, Dominicans experienced mostly political turmoil and a brief return to Spanish rule over the next 72 years. The United States occupation of 1916–1924, and a subsequent, calm and prosperous six-year period under Horacio Vásquez Lajara, were followed by the military dictatorship of Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina until 1961. The last civil war was ended by the 1965 United States occupation of the Dominican Republic, and was followed by the authoritarian rule of Joaquin Balaguer, 1966 – 1978. Since then, the Dominican Republic has moved toward representative democracy, and has been led by Leonel Fernández for most of the time after 1996.
The Dominican Republic has adopted economic liberalism, and has the second largest economy in the Caribbean. Though long known for sugar production, the economy is now dominated by services. The country's economic progress is exemplified by its advanced telecommunication system. Nevertheless, unemployment, government corruption, and inconsistent electric service remain major Dominican problems. The country also has "marked income inequality".
International migration greatly affects the country, as it receives and sends large flows of migrants. Haitian immigration and the integration of Dominicans of Haitian descent are major issues; the total population of Haitian origin is estimated to be 800,000.

Holidays in The D.R.

January 1 New year’s day Non-working day.

January 6 Catholic day of the Epiphany. Also called the day of the king.

January 21 Dia de la Altagracia, Non-working day. Patroness Day (Catholic).

January 26 Duarte's Day Movable. Founding Father.

February 27 Independence Day Non-working

May 1 Labor Day Movable.

Last Sunday of May Mother's Day

(Variable date) Catholic Corpus Christi Non-working day. A Thursday in May or June
(60 days after Easter Sunday).

August 16 Restoration Day, Non-working day.

September 24 Virgen de las Mercedes,Non-working day (Catholic)

November 6 Constitution Day.

November 25 Christmas Dinner, I love this day. lots of food!

December 25 Christmas Day.Non-working day.

December 24 Christmas eve.

Jasmine Rice,Dominican Style.

Ingredients

2 cups of rice

4 cups of water

1teas spoon of oil

1teas spoon salt

Directions

For those of you who like Jasmine rice I have just the recipe (Dominican style). In a nonstick 3qt heavy gauge aluminum pan add rice, oil and salt to boiling water (medium heat). Let it cook until water has boiled down to just the rice. Cover for about 15 minutes at a low heat. This Dominican version of Jasmine rice goes well with Dominican beans, fried fish and chicken etc…

Note. This recipe is for jasmine rice only. 4 to 5 servings

If you like cheese cake you will love this one.

CRUST
1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs rolled fine.
4 tablespoons of sugar.
8 table spoons of butter.

In a medium bowl thoroughly mix ingredients. Press firmly into a 9or 10 inch pan, I like to use a spring form pan, lining the bottom and sides; set aside and make filling.


FILLING
3 8- ounce packages softened cream cheese.
1cup sugar
3 eggs
3/4 teaspoon vanilla

In a large mixing bowl beat cream cheese well. Add sugar a little at a time; add eggs one at a time; add vanilla. Combine thoroughly. Pour into the crust; fill to within 1 - 2 inches of top to allow room for topping. bake for 40 minutes at 375.



FIRST TOPPING

1 pint sour cream
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Mix sour cream, sugar and vanilla. pour over the baked cheesecake and bake at 500 for 7 minutes. Allow to cool.

SECOND TOPPING

1/4 cup Smuckers strawberry ice cream topping

Drizzle topping over cheesecake.

THIRD TOPPING

1 pint heavy cream
1/3 cup sugar

Mix sugar and heavy cream and whip until fluffy. Pour over top of cheesecake. Garnish with fresh strawberries and Smuckers strawberry ice cream topping.

You can't have a meal with out Plantains ( Green Bananas)

I like to start out by describing the Plantain before I go into the recipe. Plantains tend to be firmer and lower in sugar content than dessert bananas. Bananas are most often eaten raw, while plantains usually require cooking or other processing, and are used either when green or under-ripe (and thereof starchy) or overripe (and therefore sweet). Plantains are a staple food in the tropical regions of the world, treated in much the same way as potatoes and with a similar neutral flavor and texture when the unripe fruit is cooked by steaming, boiling or frying. Our meal tonight consists of plantain, rice and beans. I will cover the plantain recipe- yummy fried style!

Ingredients

2 medium plantains
l cup of oil


Preparation

Start out by cutting the plantain on an angle and fry on a skillet. Fry them in oil until golden (fry one side and them turn over and do the other side). Put the plantains on a plate with a paper towel underneath to drain some of the oil. Smash each in individual plantain (with a bottom of a round glass or a majador de tostones . Put them back into the oil for about four minutes. fried plantains can be served along any Dominican meal, I particularly like mine with lime. 4 to 6 servings.




I

Yummy Beans ( Dominican recipe)

Ingredients

1 can of pinto beans

1 fresh tomato (diced)

1 garlic cloves (minced)

1 bullion

1 tsp of cilantro

1 tsp of oil

1 1/2 cup of water

Preparation

In a sauce pan add oil,garlic, bullion and tomato. Saute for about three minutes. Then add beans, cilantro and water. Let it boil for 15 minutes or until the beans become thick. Serve with rice or anything that you might like. 4 to 5 servings.