In the Kitchen With SI Swimsuit: A Traditional Dominican Breakfast

We had the fortune of visiting the Dominican Republic this February thanks to our friends at Go Dominican Republic and Sublime Samana. We were treated to some of the most incredible food. Here's how you can get a taste of this tropical paradise in your own home. Start your day with a traditional Dominican breakfast, also known as "Los Tres Golpes" which translates to "the three hits." This refers to cheese, salami and eggs served for breakfast typically with a side of Mangu (mashed plantains). This recipe from Tasty will make your mornings so much more enjoyable.

Ingredients (6 servings):

- 1 red onion, sliced into rings
- salt, to taste
- 1 cup vinegar
- 6 plantains
- 5 cups water
- 2 cups canola oil, divided
- 12 slices Dominican frying cheese
- 1 cup flour
- 18 slices Dominican salami (salami frito)
- 6 tablespoons butter, sliced
- 6 eggs, fried, for serving
- 1 avocado, for serving

Preparation:

-Place the sliced onions in a medium bowl with a heavy pinch of salt and vinegar. Let soak while preparing the other ingredients, about 1 hour.

-Peel the plantains and cut into quarters. Place the plantains in a large pot with enough water to cover them by 1 inch (2 cm). Add salt to taste. Bring the plantains to a boil over high heat and cook until they are very tender, about 30 minutes.

-Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, heat the canola oil to 350°F (180°C) over high heat.

- Coat each slice of Dominican frying cheese in flour, and then place the slices in 1¾ cups (420 ML) canola oil and fry until both sides are golden brown, about 3 minutes. Remove from skillet and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.

- Add another tablespoon of oil to the skillet and fry the salami until brown and crispy on both sides, 4 minutes. Remove from the skillet, transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.

- Wipe out the skillet, and add another tablespoon of oil to the pan. Pour in the onions and their soaking liquid. Sauté until the onions are soft and bright pink, about 10 minutes.

- Once the plantains are tender, scoop them out from the water and place in a separate large bowl, and keep the starchy boiling liquid warm on the stove.

- Add the butter and about 1 cup (240 ml) of the hot starchy plantain liquid. Mash the cooked plantains together until it is creamy and smooth. Add more liquid as needed.

- Serve the mangú with the fried cheese, fried salami, avocado, and fried eggs. Garnish with pickled onions.