National Dish of the Dominican Republic: La Bandera

La Bandera Dominicana ("The Dominican Flag") is the country's quintessential lunch plate, named for its red, white, and blue colors mirroring the flag.

Components

• White: Steamed white rice.
• Red: Stewed red kidney beans (habichuelas guisadas).
• Blue/Meat: Stewed or braised meat—typically chicken (pollo guisado), beef (carne guisada), or pork.
• Sides: Green salad (lettuce, tomato, onion), fried ripe plantains (tostones or maduros), sometimes avocado.

Served daily in homes and "comedores" across the nation.