We hope you enjoy these Cut The Crap Costa Rica Kitchen Recipes and information on local fruits and vegetables. We have provided descriptions and nutrition information for produce that is common in Costa Rica and other Central American countries. These foods are generally grown in-country which reduces their costs.
Although we are not nutrition experts or doctors, we have consulted these experts and have used our own experience to form the basis for the health benefits of most dishes. The majority of recipes and foods are healthy choices; however, we have added a few "not so healthy" choices to satisfy those occasional cravings.
Costa Rica Kitchen Recipes, try something new. Remove things you don't need. Cook what is local. And, stay in budget.
Camote Sweet Potatoes Casserole With Marshmallows: Costa Rican StyleBy Nikki PageBestselling Cookbook authors Steve & Nikki go head to head to see who can make the best Thanksgiving side dish. Both Costa Rican Camote dishes were served in Costa Rica at the annual Tamarindo Church Thanksgiving dinner? The vote is in. Learn how they made the dishes and who the winner is.
How To Cook Camote Sweet Potatoes With MarshmallowsBy Steve PageBestselling Cookbook authors Steve & Nikki go head to head to see who can make the best Thanksgiving side dish. Both Costa Rican Camote dishes were served in Costa Rica at the annual Tamarindo Church Thanksgiving dinner? The vote is in. Learn how they made the dishes and who the winner is.
Fried PlantainBy Nikki PageSince plantains take little preparation, they make a great snack. Delicious fried plantains also work great for dessert. Topping desserts with fried plantains is a great way to add flavor. Try topping your bowl of vanilla ice cream with a few pieces of some warm, bright-colored, sweet, fried plantain. Use your imagination to create some delicious, colorful creations of your own.
We typically use a small amount of coconut oil to fry our plantains. This keeps the nutrition value high and the fat and calories low.
Tip: We included the option to add sugar; however, we recommend trying them without sugar the first time. We usually do not add sugar. On occasion, we will add sugar for our guests visiting from the U.S., as they typically are accustomed to sugar being added to everything.
Costa Rica Non Alcoholic Ice DrinkBy Taya PageCosta Rica Non-Alcoholic Ice Drink
What's a Granizado?
Granizados remind me of snow cones from the states except these icy treats have a sweet twist.
They are served from carts along the sandy beaches and busy streets of Central America. We often treat ourselves to these delicious treats while enjoying a beautiful Costa Rica sunset.
We love watching the locals use a big block of ice as they run up and down what looks like a giant cheese grater. Turning the ice into a snow cone texture. They take the ice and put it into a container adding flavored syrup over the top much like a snow cone but that's not all, now here comes the sweet treat. Adding Pinito Leche (Powder Milk) and sweetened condensed milk also know as Leche Condensada, creates a perfect sweet icy treat.Black Beans with Thyme – Electric Pressure CookerBy Nikki PageBlack beans are a staple in the Costa Rican diet. You will find black beans as a side of some casados and breakfast plates as an alternative to red beans. They can also be used in place of red beans for pico de gallo, a signature dish of Costa Rica. Black beans that have been refried (read more...)Granadilla – Passion FruitBy Nikki PageGranadilla - Passion Fruit is a very common fruit you can find throughout Costa Rica. There are two varieties of passion fruit: the granadilla and the maracuyá. The difference between them is kind of like that of red and green apples; however, passion fruit tastes nothing like apples. (read more...)Maracuyá – Passion FruitBy Nikki PageMaracuyá - Passion Fruit is a very common fruit you can find throughout Costa Rica. There are two varieties of passion fruit: the granadilla and the maracuyá. The difference between them is kind of like that of red and green apples; however, passion fruit tastes nothing like apples. (read more...)Watermelon – SandiaBy Steve PageIt is composed of approximately 92% water, and is a good source of Vitamin A, C, and B6. You can find it throughout Central America and can be bought in most stores year-round in Costa Rica. We love to buy watermelon - sandia from fruit stands and the back of local farmers’ trucks and (read more...)PataconesBy Nikki PagePatacones are typical Latin American food. In Costa Rica, they are found on many casados and offered as appetizers at several restaurants. Patacones are a delicious snack and can be used as an ingredient for a number of other meal options.
You can eat them alone like chips, or they can be topped with meat such as shredded beef, pork, or chicken. There are many ways to serve this fried banana/plantain treat. Use your imagination and create your own culinary masterpiece with patacones.
Green patacones make more potato like chips, whereas the yellow patacones are a bit sweeter. The green version holds together better and makes a better base to dishes where you top them.
Patacones are typical Latin American food. In Costa Rica, they are found on many casados and offered as appetizers at several restaurants. Patacones are a delicious snack and can be used as an ingredient for a number of other meal options.
(read more...)