A Taste of Home: Clari Guzman Shares Her Family’s Locrio Dominicano

There's nothing that transports us back to childhood quite like the flavors of our favorite home-cooked meals. The aromas we grew up with carry comfort, warmth, and the feeling of being truly at home.

This March, Stony Brook junior communications major Clari Guzmanbrings that feeling to the East Side Dining kitchen as part of the Cooking from Homeprogram by SBU Eats. Together with campus chef Albin Melo, Clari prepares locrio dominicano - a simple, flavorful one-pot dish from the Dominican Republic - using the recipe passed down from her grandmother.

"My grandmother is the best chef," Clari said with a smile. "For as long as I can remember, her locrio has been my favorite food. She made it for me on every special occasion, filling our home with love."

Locriocombines rice, vegetables, spices and any available meat into a hearty one-pot dish that's quick, comforting, and bursting with flavor. Traditional versions include spicy sardines (locrio de pica-pica), Dominican salami, chicken (locrio de pollo), or smoked pork chops (locrio de chuleta). Over time, this humble dish has gained popularity, and is celebrated for its warmth and the bold, savory spirit of Dominican cuisine.

For Clari, making locrio is more than following a recipe - it's a way to connect with her roots, her history, and her family. "When I moved to America, finding locrio - especially the way my grandma made it - felt almost impossible," she shared. "After years without seeing her, it was the first meal she cooked for me when I went back home. Now, every time I return, she makes it again for me. Each bite brings back memories, comfort, and the irreplaceable feeling of home."

With Chef Albin by her side, Clari prepared Locrio de Pollo accompanied by traditional maduros (fried sweet plantains) and fresh vegetablesfor the SBU community, sharing not only her grandmother's cooking flavors but also the aromas of fruit trees from her family's orchard and the joyful spirit of Dominican tradition.

Launched in 2022, Cooking from Homeinvites SBU students to showcase the recipes that shaped them - family favorites, cultural classics, or traditional dishes. Working alongside SBU Eats chefs, students bring these meaningful meals to life and share them with the campus community.

"The most exciting part of the Cooking from Home program is seeing the students be so proud of their dishes and want to educate the campus about their family culture and tastes" said SBU Eats Registered Dietitian and Wellness Manager Laura Martorano.