Meals tend to favor meats and starches over dairy products and vegetables. Many dishes are made with ''sofrito'', which is a mix of local herbs used as a wet rub for meats and sautéed to bring out all of a dish's flavors. Throughout the south-central coast, bulgur, or whole wheat, is a main ingredient in ''quipes'' or ''tipili'' (bulgur salad). Other favorite Dominican foods include ''chicharrón'', ''yuca'', ''casabe'', ''pastelitos''(empanadas), ''batata'', yam, ''pasteles en hoja'', ''chimichurris'', and ''tostones''.