Yaroa is a well-loved street food in the Dominican Republic, frequently referred to as a layered work of art. It generally includes French fries, meat (often ground beef or chicken), cheese, and a selection of sauces.
Crispy fries loaded with a generous portion of flavorful ground meat, drenched in melted cheese, and generously topped with tasty mayo and ketchup isn’t what you’d usually expect from a classic meal.
Yaroa is a newly established Dominican classic that began in Santiago and has now become a popular street food, particularly at the end of a late night.
The dish was first offered in the 1990s and rapidly became a part of the menu at a well-known Dominican restaurant chain. Today, it is available in restaurants all over New York City.
Yaroa is a highly attractive dish due to its easy preparation, which has made it popular among fast food sellers.
While many people pair the dish with crispy fries, it can also be served with mangu or maduros instead. The traditional ground meat used is beef, although it can also be substituted with pork or chicken.
You can prepare the fries fresh or use store-bought frozen ones, making it a super simple recipe to whip up any day of the week.
Recipe
- In a pan over medium heat, add the oil.
- When the oil is heated, toss in the bell peppers and onions, and sauté them until they become soft, which should take around 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic and sauté it for about a minute, or until it becomes aromatic.
- Incorporate the beef and use a wooden spoon or spatula to crumble it.
- Cook for approximately 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned.
- Remove the excess oil from the beef. Return it to the pan, then incorporate the tomato sauce and seasonings.
- Combine everything well and let it cook gently for 3-5 minutes. Then, set it aside.
- Cook the fries as directed on the package. Once they are golden and crispy, take a plate and prepare to stack them!
- Include the fries and a generous portion of the ground beef mixture.
- Then, sprinkle on the cheese, and finish by adding mayonnaise and ketchup on top.
- Enjoy!
Yields: 4 servings Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 20-25 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 pound (500 grams) ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 cup (125 ml) tomato sauce
- 1 pound (500 grams) French fries
- 1 cup (250 grams) of grated mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) ketchup
