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.
Yuca – CassavaBy Steve PageYuca, also known as cassava is a root that is very common throughout Central America. Traditional Costa Rican plates offer yuca as a fried side. In addition, yuca is used in soups and can be mashed. The supermercados (grocery stores) stock yuca chips that are crispy and delicious as well. Yuca prepared as fries and chips are our favorite. They are a great snack while watching the game and compliment bar-b-que perfectly.
The yuca root produces several other products. Cassava flour is one great gluten, grain, and nut free option. Many celiacs and people with nut allergies use cassava flour to prepare their meals. You may not know this but, another product of yuca is tapioca. By drying the yuca into a powdery (or pearly) extract you create tapioca. That's right, the tapioca pudding comes from yuca. There are several ways to consume this amazing root.
Yuca - Cassava ranks third as the largest source of food carbohydrates in the tropics. People in these regions only eat more of the carbohydrates rice and maize (corn). Yuca has the ability to withstand difficult growing conditions, in fact, it's one of the most drought-tolerant crops. Because it is local to Costa Rica, yuca is a great ingredient to stay within budget while adding some great nutrients as well. We make sure to stock a couple of pieces in our kitchen.
Note: Processing yuca by peeling, chopping, and cooking it will significantly reduce its nutrition value. Powdered forms of yuca like tapioca have very limited nutritional value.
Health Benefits of Yuca - Cassava include:
1. Boosts Immunity – Yuca is nutrient dense and has a high Vitamin C concentration, so it may help boost immunity.
2. Helps Protect The Skin – Yuca may help protect the skin because it aids in the production of collagen and helps with skin elasticity. It also contains Vitamin C and antioxidants, which are also beneficial to the skin.
3. Helps With Arthritis Symptoms – Yuca contains anti-inflammatory properties, as well as manganese, which help ease arthritis symptoms.
Chile Lime Chayote – Instant PotBy Nikki PageIf you are looking for an affordable side for any dish, give this Chile Lime Chayote a try. Prepared in an instant pot, it is easy to make and tastes great. Since chayote is a local vegetable it is a cheap way to fill your family's stomachs. The chili spice gives a zesty flavor to the
(read more...)PineappleBy Steve PageCosta Rica has the sweetest and best-tasting pineapple that we have ever eaten! This amazing fruit is so juicy and delicious that it makes the perfect refreshing snack on a hot day. We make it a point to keep cut pineapple in our refrigerator, so we have it ready to eat. Pineapple is (read more...)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.Costa Rica BurritosBy Steve PageThese Costa Rica burritos are a favorite in our house and are made with many common ingredients found in Costa Rica and other Latin American countries. As a result, these burritos are an easy and very affordable meal option for any family. Whether you choose the standard flour tortilla, or the gluten-free corn tortilla, your taste buds will thank you for the satisfying flavors. This Costa Rica version of the burrito includes pre-made rice and beans and you can find links to the recipes below.
Tip: For a gluten-free option, use corn tortillas. The corn tortillas are generally smaller and as a result, make it harder to roll them. The photos of the folded burritos are made with gluten-free corn tortillas and are held together with a toothpick.
We like to add a dash or two of hot sauce for a bit of spice. The Mango Hot Sauce from Jalapeno's restaurant in Playa Negra is definitely our favorite!
Tostada with Refried BeansBy Steve PageThese tostadas are a favorite in our house and are made with many common ingredients found in Costa Rica and other Latin American countries. Tostada with Refried Beans makes a quick and easy lunch that gives you a boost of nutrients and tastes great. In addition to being easy to make, these tostadas are also very affordable. Although they are not a typical Costa Rican dish they are made with ingredients that are produced locally which reduces the cost. Whether you choose a standard flour tortilla or opt for a gluten-free corn tortilla, your taste buds will enjoy the satisfying flavors. Our version of the tostada includes pre-made rice and beans. You can find links to the rice and bean recipes below.
Tip: For Gluten-free version use corn tortillas.
Note: We enjoy adding a dash or two of hot sauce to add a bit of spice. The Mango Hot Sauce from Jalapeno's restaurant in Playa Negra is definitely our favorite!
Rice recipe: https://cutthecrapcostarica.com/recipes/rice-instant-pot/
Black Beans recipe:
https://cutthecrapcostarica.com/recipes/black-beans-instant-pot/
Red Beans recipe:
https://cutthecrapcostarica.com/recipes/instant-pot-red-beans/
Seasoned Chicken & Potatoes – Electric Pressure CookerBy Nikki PageSeasoned Chicken & Potatoes is a simple, yet delicious Instant Pot recipe. This tasty dish is a great way to add protein and other nutrients to your diet. The instant pot pressure cooker does a great job trapping the juices of the chicken, resulting in moist flavorful bites. The potatoes are tasty too, since they absorb the spices and flavoring from the chicken. Just add a few garnishes and you have a dish that is appealing and mouthwatering.
Tip: Add hot sauce or other sauce to increase flavor, as desired.
Note: Adding butter to potatoes increases the flavor, but also adds fat and calories.
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.Chicken Soup – Electric Pressure CookerBy Nikki PageChicken Soup is not only for when you are sick but makes a great lunch, dinner or even a quick snack. Using the electric pressure cooker makes it easy to prepare chicken soup for a large family, or banquet.
Once the pot of soup is made it is simple to reheat a bowl for a fast meal. Loaded with vegetables and chicken, this dish provides many vitamins and minerals your body needs every day. The variety of flavors and textures are very satiating and leave you feeling great. Grab a bowl for lunch, and you’ll have plenty of energy to push through your hectic afternoon schedule.
Tip: The recipe can easily be altered to different tastes by selecting a different soup mix flavor.
We used Maggi’s “Sopa Criolla Gallina Con Fideos” for our package of soup mix and the nutrition information includes the nutrients from this flavor.
