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.
Slaw SaladBy Nikki PageSlaw salad is another common food in Costa Rica. This nutrient-packed dish can either be the main course or a side to add color and crunch to your casado or other dinner plates. Aside from very few specific allergies, Slaw Salad is safe for almost all diets including Vegan and Gluten-free.
Tip: We enjoy adding a dash or two of hot sauce to add a bit of spice. We especially enjoy the Mango Hot Sauce from Jala-peños restaurant in Playa Negra, Costa Rica.Yuca Fries RecipeBy Steve PageHave you ever had Yuca Fries?
Making french fries in Costa Rica is challenging because most potatoes are small. Yuca is a great alternative to the potato. They are a common vegetable throughout Central America making them extremely affordable in Costa Rica. The yuca fries have a slightly different texture and taste than the standard potato variety and we prefer them with many dishes. Seasoned Chili Yuca Fries make a great snack or the perfect bar-b-que side.
These Seasoned Chili Yuca Fries bring a little spice to the standard fry. Since they are baked they use a fraction of the oil making them a healthier option than the traditional deep-fried version. A great side for grill night or a snack while watching the game. Your family is sure to love these savory treats.
Tip: We prefer our Seasoned Chili Yuca Fries to be very crispy so we leave them in the oven a bit longer. If you prefer softer fries add these additional steps:
1. PRIOR TO SEASONING, boil the cut yuca pieces in a pot of water for 10 minutes.
2. Adjust cook time to 15 minutes on each side.Fruit SaladBy Nikki PageFruit salad is a great snack and side! Why not make a large batch, for a quick grab out of the refrigerator? This way you can have a healthy, quick snack, or an instant side to any dish, and it’s a great way to add color and sweetness. Most people don’t eat the daily recommended amount of fruit and often opt for other unhealthy snacks. However, if you have fruit salad already prepared, odds are you will eat more fruit.
When preparing meals, most people focus primarily on the main course. By having pre-prepped food options such as fruit salad, makes it easy to provide healthy snacks and sides. Fruit is natures candy and often cures a sweet tooth craving. It is also a much better option than candy or other sugary snacks. Additionally, fruit provides a sweet contrast to the main course and other salty or spicy sides.
Fruit Salad works well for breakfast, as well. It is packed full of vitamins and minerals and provides a boost of energy to start the day. Moreover, fruit beautifully compliments a morning cup of coffee.
Hardboiled EggsBy Steve PageHardboiled eggs are a great snack and also a great topping to salads, sandwiches and more. Eggs offer protein and healthy fats and provide a variety of healthy nutrients for your body. Hardboiled eggs are considered to be a satiating food and therefore help curb cravings and leave you feeling satisfied. Why not add hardboiled eggs to your lunch, serve them as a side, or eat them as a snack for a boost of nutrients and energy?
They are a much better option than reaching for that candy bar or bag of chips. Your body will thank you.
Health benefits of hardboiled eggs include:
1. Don’t Adversely Affect Blood Cholesterol - because your liver simply produces less.
2. Raises HDL (The “Good”) Cholesterol - due to high high-density lipoprotein levels.
3. Builds Cell Membranes - with choline a water-soluble vitamin-like essential nutrient.
4. Helps lower the risk of heart disease. - by changing LDL particles from small, dense to large LDL.
5. Eye health.- due to powerful antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin.
6. Lower Triglycerides - as a result of Omega-3 fatty acids.
7. Builds tissues and molecules - with a good dose of quality protein and amino acids.
8. Provides a good source of cholesterol for your body.
9. Help You Lose Weight - because of their satiating characteristics from macronutrients.Fried EggBy Taya PageFried Eggs are an easy way to add some protein to your diet. They also make an affordable breakfast, lunch or dinner and work great for a Fried Egg Sandwich. Fried eggs are satiating, so they help you feel full fast, so you don’t have to eat a bunch to feel satisfied.
Fried eggs make great snacks too. It only takes a few minutes to fry up an egg, leaving you plenty of time to get back to your activities. Eggs are accepted on many diets and eating plans too. We use coconut oil to fry our eggs, as it provides healthier fats. It also has other health benefits, making it a better option over vegetable oil or butter.
Gallo Pinto – Beans & RiceBy Steve PageWant to know the secret to Gallo Pinto?
Uses rice and beans that were cooked at least one day before. The locals will often make batches of beans and rice for sides to their Casado (typical Costa Rican dish) and use the leftovers to make Gallo Pinto for breakfast. It seems that the time allows the flavors of the beans to mature and the rice to firm up a bit. Although it takes a few days to prepare this dish, it is delicious.
Red & Black BeansBy Steve PageRed & Black Beans - Instant Pot is basically a simple combination of the red bean and black bean recipes. We use this recipe often, as we like the color combination. When using red & black beans on tostadas or in beans and rice the two colors help give the dish a better presentation and appealing to the eye. Oh, and they taste great too!
Using the instant pot reduces the cook time and saves on energy while creating perfect been firmness. Red & Black Beans - Instant Pot is another extremely affordable recipe that takes minimal time to cook. In addition, it makes a large amount, which is great! It is always nice to have some ready for another meal or two.
Rice – Instant PotBy Steve PageRice is very simple and is one of the most frequent things we cook. Rice is a staple in Costa Rica and is included in one form or another in every casado (typical Costa Rican plate). It is used to make Arroz Con Pollo and Gallo Pinto, as well as in soups. Although you can make these dishes with fresh rice, it is common to make large batches and add the leftover rice to meals over the next few days. Gallo Pinto is almost always made with rice that was cooked a day or two prior.
Using the electric pressure cooker reduces cook time and saves energy while creating perfect sticky rice firmness. Rice - Electric Pressure Cooker is another extremely affordable recipe that takes minimal time to cook. In addition, it makes a large amount for use in other meals. This recipe will produce approximately ten servings of plain rice.