Black Bean Soup for 4 persons
Black bean soup can be easily and quickly prepared using either dried black beans (soak overnight and then discard water) or using canned black beans. Dominicans will prepare this soup simply while other variations can be made by using ham/bacon bits for extra flavour during the cooking process.
Ingredients Required
- 2 Cans of black beans, rinsed and then drained (15 oz size each)
- 1 Medium chopped white onion
- 1 Chopped green bell pepper
- 7 Cups of water
- 1 Teaspoonful of olive oil
- A pinch of ground cumin
- Salt to taste
- Course ground black pepper
How To Make Your Black Bean Soup
- In a large pan saute the onion, garlic and green pepper until soft
- Add the drained beans, 7 cups of water and salt, black pepper and cumin
- Mix well and then simmer over a low light for about 25 minutes. (It’s at this point that if you like you can add some bacon or chunks of ham)
- Let the soup cool off and then start to puree in a blender. (Some people prefer to puree all the beans, while other people like to puree only half the mixture to give the soup a rougher consistency)
- Once you have your desired consistency return all the soup back to the pan and heat gently until hot enough to serve
This soup is great just served on it’s own, or with a dollop of sour cream and some finely chopped onions on top.
Dominican Republic Introduction
Occupying the eastern half of the island of Hispaniola, the Dominican Republic (the DR or Dom Rep, as it's often known) is a hugely popular destination, thanks to the portion of the country that most resembles the image of a Caribbean playland: the crystal-clear waters and sandy beaches lined with palm trees, of which the DR has plenty. This vision of leisurely days spent by the sea and romantic nights filled with merengue and dark rum is supported by what turns out to be the largest all-inclusive resort industry in the world. Set on the most geographically diverse Caribbean island, the DR also boasts virgin alpine wilderness, tropical rainforests and mangrove swamps, cultivated savannas, vast desert expanses and everything in between within its relatively small confines - slightly smaller than the US states of New Hampshire and Vermont combined - providing staggering opportunities for ecotourism and adventure travelling.
Dominican Republic Map
The DR also lays claim to some of the more intriguing culture and history in the area, dating back to its early cave-dwelling groups, the Taínos , who recorded much of their activities in the form of rock art - it's quite likely you'll find yourself clambering down a dark cave to view some of these preserved paintings during your stay. In addition, as Dominicans are often quick to point out, their land was the setting for Christopher Columbus's first colony, La Isabela, and Spain's first New World city, Santo Domingo , at the end of the fifteenth century. Though the island quickly lost this foothold, the events that took place during its brief heyday did much to define the Americas as we know them.
Dominican Day Parade in New York
With a deep blue sky and temperature of around 82ºF thousands of Dominicans were delighted yesterday with folkloric and cultural groups that included colorful floats and carnival figures and displays of karate and taekwondo, during the annual Dominican Day Parade in New York. They also enjoyed songs performed by orchestras and soloists, Bachata Artist Frank Reyes, Merenguero Ruby Perez, and former Miss Universe - Amelia Vega.
Government blasted for lack of Responsibility...
The president of the Dominican Association of Industries, that’s (AIRD) is calling for more fiscal responsibility from the government and says that neither the public nor the private sector can handle more taxes.
Yandra Portela said that the government, instead of focusing on fiscal reform to cover its costs, should cut government spending, seeing that this year alone spending has risen by 30%. Portela added...."the government needs more austerity when it comes to spending and that the current economic situation doesn't give President Leonel Fernandez the luxury of riding around in high priced SUVs and taking trips".
She also said that the Central Bank does not need to have a reform in order to deal with the quasi-fiscal deficit and that the government should take a look at its propane gas subsidy program. She also said that the government should focus on the energy crisis. Portela also criticized how "Dominicans make laws, and then abandon them," referring to Energy Laws 125-01 and the Monetary and Financial law.
Dominican Republic Cockfighting
As to your wallet, it isn't to guard against pickpockets but to guard against laying out your last peso as you get swept into the frenzied betting that is going on all around you. The noise level rises and falls as the matches progress and people cheer on their champion. With blinding speed money changes hands and folk win or lose large and small sums. A Vagas betting parlor holds no candle to the activity that goes on in a cockfighting arena here in the Dominican Republic.
If you are visiting this island and are interested in seeing a match just ask a Dominican and he or she can direct you to the local arena giving you times and entry fee costs without a blink of an eye.
For those who find the sport too agressive or disturbing you might just want to go to take in the atmostphere in and around the arena. There is food and drink on tap and other less legal activities being offered by local women. No matter your reason for attending you will have something definitely different to talk about when you return home.
Constanza
| Essential Constanza |
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Constanza is located 30 miles south of Jarabacoa and is a small town situated in a valley at the agreeable altitude of 4,264 feet. Lush and picturesque Constanza brings an almost Swiss like feeling amidst this Caribbean Island. A lot of the surrounding area has now been deforested however there is still masses and masses of farmland with potato, garlic and strawberry, lettuce and apple crops.
A town with a lot of diversity many wealthy Dominicans have vacation retreats here, mansions and estates whilst not a mile down the road there is a sprawling shanty town full of shacks where the Haitian labourers live who tend the fields and farmland without running water or electricity.
In the 1950's Dictator Trujillo invited and brought many Japanese families to this area to introduce their way of agriculture, hoping to turn this fertile valley into a huge agricultural centre. The Japanese succeeded and now many have inter married with the local community and their own descendants still own most of the surrounding farmlands. Constanza is a charming town and lends much of appeal to its fantastic hiking trails and is also a great place for mountain bikers, guides are usually available for hire for the day.
