Any time my food palate needed a little vacation from jamon and patatas, those dear moments when my taste buds craved adventure and spice, the times when all I wanted was something reminiscent of Mexi-Cali, my Dominican Republic host mom came to the rescue.

She took me to the island where bananas are growing on trees instead of out front fruterias on the streets, where the calming ocean is a skip away from your door versus the bustling city traffic of Madrid, and where the people are not afraid to play with flavor in their food.

She told me that this dish, is not complicated but more of a kitchen sink meal - a delicious way to discard leftovers from the week with a handful of kitchen sink spices.

Sancocho Dominicano

beef
pork including chops ribs
cook
then add chicken
include bones with all your meat and poultry
then add sliced plantains
cubed yucca squash
cubed pumpkin
sliced yams
And the spices...
one inch cilantro
oregano
garlic
onion
jerk seasonings
paprika

Add water, a chicken or vegetable stock cube, and simmer in a large covered pot for hours.

Ah, the perks of having a little Dominican Republic in my life.