Well, that Dominican spot in BK is definitely an outlier, certainly not the case with most Dominican establishments, which are usually very generous with their portions, not just with rice and beans but also the main dish or protein. Stewed meat is one of our main specialties so to hear a place only gives a few chunks of meat is unusual.
- Thread starter granca
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Dominican Foods
Well, that Dominican spot in BK is definitely an outlier, certainly not the case with most Dominican establishments, which are usually very generous with their portions, not just with rice and beans but also the main dish or protein. Stewed meat is one of our main specialties so to hear a place only gives a few chunks of meat is unusual.
Empanadas are usually fired here because most do not have an oven. Fried food seem to taste better but baked foods in most cases are slightly better for you. Everything in moderation.
Empanadas are fried because that is the tradition, it does not have to do with having an oven or not. Tradition is the same reason Puerto Ricans and Cubans also fry theirs, heck even Colombians. I don't disagree with baked being healthier, just don't agree that Dominicans, PR's or Cubans should suddenly stop frying their empanadas because some hold an opinion that baked ones are better, any Spanish Caribbean restaurant you go to has empanadas as an appetizer and they are always a popular choice and they are fried. I attended a Hispanic Heritage event my company held last night and some of the appetizers were of course, fried empanadas and they were the most sought after, especially the beef ones.
I don't criticize baking or frying...whatever. The fact is that the other day a specialist said that more than 50% of the dominicans in the DR is obese. In fact there are few ladies left with nice bodies, except mine but she does yoga and zumba.
A lot of Michelin style women.
fried empanadas do not taste anything close to baked empanadas. i realize that taste is subjective, but the dough is different, and all that oil just tastes horrible, and is no good for your health.
Cubans bake their empanadas. I live in Miami and yearn for a deep fried Dominican (pastelito) or Puerto Rican (pastelillo). I can't find them here and the ones that are fried just aren't as good as what I'm used to in NYC. Empanadas and other Cuban baked good were influenced by the French from Haiti that migrated to Cuba long ago during and after the revolution. Haitians only bake their patties/empanadas.
Jeez. FIRST time I had a fried empanada? There is a lil cuchifrito spot off Delancey and Rivington(maybe?) St. in LES. I was intrigued. They looked good under them steamy yellow spotlights. Big old balls of meat wrapped in dough. I had one of them olive drab green military trenchcoats on. You know the kind they sell for $10 at the Army Navy Supply? That fried empanada left so much grease in the pockets of that coat I couldnt wear it for the rest of the season. Fried empanadas my ass.
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Empanadas aren't marketed as a health item to begin with. Taste is definitely subjective, most Dominican places make very good ones but I've had the unfortunate experience of occasionally having one that was fried in perhaps really bad oil and/with poor seasoning. Fried empanadas bode extremely well with Dominicans and non-Dominicans alike here in the tri-state area and anywhere with Hispanic population.
Cubans do not bake all their empanadas, what they do have is a version that is baked in a flaky crust but they also make the fried empanadas and those are the ones you are more likely to find at Cuban bakeries and restaurants. NJ has the 2nd largest Cuban population outside of Miami (Union City and Elizabeth, NJ to be exact) so I am no stranger to Cuban food, apart from the fact that it's not that much different than Dominican food overall.
yes, they do make fried empanadas, as well as the baked versions. i have only seen baked empanadas in the DR at one location, and they were excruciatingly unpalatable.
Smoked Meat?
As a Montrealer I have to ask... I've seem pastrami, smoked turkey but not smoked meat... Do you mean smoked meat like that or something else?
As a Montrealer I have to ask... I've seem pastrami, smoked turkey but not smoked meat... Do you mean smoked meat like that or something else?