

Is gallo pinto healthy? – I think it’s pretty healthy. How long does this keep? – You can keep gallo pinto for up to a week in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can then heat in the microwave or on the stovetop. Costa Rican Vegetable Beef Stew Recipe – Olla CarneĬan I make gallo pinto ahead of time? – Yes.Other popular traditional Costa Rican recipes:

I love to eat gallo pinto with our favorite shredded beef in red sauce. We eat this with fresh corn tortillas, natilla (sour cream), freshly fried sweet plantains and a fried egg. We serve this with fresh white cheese slices (Costa Rican cheese isn’t available in most of the US, but you can use a Mexican queso fresco and it will be very similar.) Note that if you travel to the Caribbean side of Costa Rica you can expect to find the Costa Rican dish called “Rice and Beans.” It’s not the same as pinto because it’s made with coconut milk instead of Salsa Lizano. I think it’s totally different, but if you can’t get Lizano in time, go on and give it a try. Some people say you can just substitute Worcestershire sauce for the Salsa Lizano. We often substitute red beans or red kidney beans for the black- you can do freshly cooked or canned. Just cut the amount of salt in half unless using low sodium beans. You can substitute canned black beans for the fresh. Trust me- you want to make this with leftover rice and beans or it becomes a whole day process. Many non-Costa Ricans lament how long it takes to make this dish because they try to make the rice and beans and then the pinto. It gives you bad breath in the morning, apparently. Once I tried to add garlic to our gallo pinto and my Costa Rican husband was scandalized- scandalized. Mix again and then serve- preferably with fried eggs, warm corn tortillas and a hot cup of Costa Rican coffee or agua dulce. Heat thoroughly and add the Salsa Lizano. Toss until well combined with the beans and spices. You have just made sofrito!Īdd the beans with broth and toss with the spices (your chopped vegetables) and oil. Lightly cook until the onion is translucent. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. (These instructions assume you have already done the first two steps- cook the rice and beans ahead of time.) If you are headed to the Caribbean side, don’t miss the traditional Rice and Beans dish made with coconut milk! Gallo Pinto Recipe – Costa Rica Ingredients Sometimes we substitute gallo pinto for rice and beans in a Costa Rican casado.īasically, if you visit Costa Rica and don’t see gallo pinto- you might want to check if you went to the right country. Lovingly called “pinto” for short, you can also find this dish on lunch and dinner menus alongside freshly braised meat. Related post: Costa Rican Passion Fruit Juice Recipe Next up- plate of gallo pinto alongside a freshly made tropical fruit juice. You may find sour cream (natilla), avocado slices or a bit of hot sauce on your table.Ī traditional Costa Rican breakfast starts off with a plate of fresh fruit and a cup of strong coffee. We usually serve it alongside a fried egg, ripe plantains, white cheese and homemade tortillas or a piece of toast. Gallo Pinto is literally translated as “spotted rooster” for it’s color and texture, and it’s a mix of beans, rice, Salsa Lizano, chopped onion, chopped red bell pepper, and chopped cilantro.

Gallo pinto provides the perfect solution- a way to use up yesterday’s rice and beans for a hearty and filling breakfast. Gallo pinto was born out of necessity- many times rice and beans were leftover from the day before and people needed to get out the door quickly to work in the fields. Related post: What Is Salsa Lizano From Costa Rica If you know anything about making beans from scratch though, you know it takes a while. We make these two dishes in abundance every single day. Like many Latin American countries, the staples of Costa Rican food include black beans (sometimes red) and white rice.

Everyone in Costa Rica knows and loves this dish, and it contains pretty much all of the basic ingredients we use in our cooking. The crown jewel of Costa Rican cuisine has to be the gallo pinto dish. For generations, men and women have arisen early to pick coffee in the fields before coming home for a large lunch. The most “pura vida” thing about Costa Rica is the country itself- the endless cloud forests, pristine beaches, friendly people (who refer to themselves as ticos) and of course the food.Ĭosta Rica is an agricultural country at its roots- and coffee is a huge part of the national identity. We combine black beans and white rice with red bell pepper, cilantro, onion and Salsa Lizano. This Costa Rican gallo pinto recipe is traditionally served at breakfast alongside eggs, coffee and tortillas.
