In this section, we would like to present some of the most important typical dishes of Costa Rica.

Gallo Pinto

Probably the most traditional dish in Costa Rica. It is served for breakfast and means colorful rooster. You need:

3 cups cooked white rice
2 cups freshly cooked black beans (frijoles)
2 tablespoons onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon bell pepper, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh coriander, finely chopped
2 tablespoons oil
1/2 tablespoon Worchester Sauce

Saute the onions and the bell pepper in oil until soft. Add the beans and cook for two more minutes. Add the rice and mix. Add the sauce and the coriander and mix well. Serve with eggs and sour cream. Serves 6 people.

 

Sopa Negra (Black bean soup)

2 cups black beans
6 cups water
2 tablespoons onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons fresh coriander, finely chopped
4 hard boiled eggs
1 tablespoon Worchester Sauce

Cook the black beans in salt water together with the coriander, onions and garlic until soft. (40 minutes in pressure cooker). Strain and set broth aside. Blend 1 cup of beans and return to the broth. Add the Worchester Sauce and the rest of the beans and boil. Garnish with the minced hard boiled eggs. Serves 6

 

Arroz con pollo

1 chicken
3 cups rice
2 tablespoons onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon bell pepper, finely chopped
1/2 cup peas
1/2 cup carrots, diced
1/2 cup coooked string beans, sliced
2 tablespoons raisins
1/4 teaspoon achiote
2 teaspoons, Worchester Sauce
2 tablespoons oil
salt to taste
Coriander leaves

Cook chicken with 1/2 the onion and 1/2 the bell pepper, salt, and 4 cups water until tender. Let cool. Strain the juice and add water. Discard the bones and shred the chicken. In a large pot, heat oil with achiote and saute the remaining onion and the bell pepper. Add the rice, vegetables, chicken juice, chicken and the water mixture. Cook until the rice is done and add the raisins. Garnish with the coriander leaves. Serves 8.

 

Picadillo de Papa

1/2 kg potatoes, peeled and diced
1/4 kg pork sausage, peeled
2 tablespoons fresh coriander, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon Worchester Sauce
1/4 cup water

Saute sausage over medium heat, then crumble. Drain on paper towel. Return to pan, add remaining ingredients, stir, cover and cook until potatoes are done. Serve with tortillas. Served 8

 

Flan de Coco

1 can condensed milk
1 can evaporated milk
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup fresh coconut, shredded
6 eggs

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Pour mixure in a caramelized dish and bake in a double boiler a 350 F until knife comes out clean. Let cool. Run knife around the edge of the dish to separate it from the sides. Refrigerate. Serves 12