Food is an important part of our daily lives—all of us eat every day in order to survive. Without the nutrients we get from the dishes we buy or prepare, we’d perish. Over the years, people have gotten creative with food, creating iconic dishes and traditional delicacies that we cherish and consume to this day. If there is one thing that everybody in the world can bond over, it’s food. Some dishes are better than others, some are more expensive, some are harder to prepare and some are more filling. However, even where we relate, we still find conflict. When it comes to food, there is one thing that people have forever argued over: what is the best dish ever in human history?
Well, for me, it’s locrio.
Locrio is a rice dish that originated in the Dominican Republic. It is made up of seasoned rice and a type of meat—the most common ones being chicken, Dominican salami, and pork—and is cooked in the same pot. Now, perhaps I may be a smidge biased, considering I am Dominican, but who isn’t a little bit biased when it comes to their favorite dish? Locrio, albeit a little bit time consuming, is not a complicated dish to make. If you already know how to cook rice and how to cook chicken, then all you have to do is combine it. As long as you are patient, you’ll be able to enjoy the delicacy that is locrio. I recommend that you cook it in a large pot in order to have plenty leftover and save you from having to cook the day after.
The fragrance it gives off is mouthwatering, different seasonings swirling together with the classic scent of freshly cooked rice and chicken that is hard to ignore.
The best part of it all is actually getting to eat it. Typically, many people who eat locrio enjoy pairing it with a creamy avocado to add an extra kick of texture and flavor to the meal. Or, if you’re like me, you can add a banana! It has the same type of texture with a faint fruity taste that is refreshing from the onslaught of seasoning. The locrio itself is an incredible experience: the rice is soft with the taste of garlic, herbs, and spices, and the chicken is rich in seasoning, juicy, and cooked just right, melting in your mouth and warming your stomach. Every bite is a treat and it has me scrambling for seconds and thirds.
It is the perfect meal. I eat it at any point, day or night, with avocado or bananas or just by itself. It never fails to make me feel better on bad days and having it for dinner is always a joy. Personally, eating it reminds me of my country and makes me feel just a bit more connected to my culture—especially during the winter, when all I want to do is sunbathe on the beautiful beaches of the Dominican Republic.
