La Hacienda Hostel provides budget accommodations in Las Galeras, Samana, Dominican Republic. La Hacienda is a working horse farms and horseback riding is one of the attractions. The ranch overlooks stunning Rincon Bay and is only a 10 minute walk to the nearest beach. All the food produced on the farm is available for guests during their stay. Our idea is to post some of our favourite receipes gathered over the years that make use of the food grown on the farm and food available in the local market. We hope this will help guests who want to prepare their own meals get the maximum enjoyment and pleasure out of the farm grown food available for free!

 Nature is cyclical – even in the Caribbean so what is abundant one day is not to be seen a few days later. On the farm, limes, papaya and bananas grown almost year round. Almonds are plentiful, passion fruit is in season from about Nov to Feb and mangos drop off the trees in April/May. Papaya can be eaten ripe as a fruit or green it can be used like cole slaw or boiled like potatoes. Watermelon makes an appearance some years. There is a good crop of basil (pesto – yes!) and oregano, some peppers (sweet and chilli hot) and whatever pops up from seeds being thrown over the balcony. The field crop produces lots of sweet potato, local root vegetables, squash and corn. With a little imagination and some sublimates from the local market it is possible to eat primarily from the food produced on the farm. The fish man comes to the door about once a week and you can buy a whole fish or lobster, shrimp, crab or my favourite fresh river shrimp. There is a four ring cooker and outdoor BBQ on site ( bring charcoal). There is no oven and cooking utensils are basic in the shared kitchen. The DR has great coffee. Fridge space is provided but there is no freezer.