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.
Tostada with Rice & BeansBy Steve PageTostada with Rice & Beans is a very quick and easy lunch that offers great taste and some needed nutrients. They are a favorite in our house and are made with many common ingredients found in Costa Rica and other Latin American countries. Tostadas are not only easy to make, but they are very affordable. Whether you choose the standard flour tortilla or the gluten-free corn tortilla, your taste buds will thank you for the satisfying flavors. Our version of the tostada includes precooked rice and beans. You can find links to the recipes below.
Tip: For a gluten-free version use corn tortillas.
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/
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.
Stir Fry Garlic ChickenBy Taya PageAnother affordable and easy meal is Stir Fry Garlic Chicken. This dish offers a variety of flavors and colors and is simple to make. With a total time of fewer than thirty minutes, this is the perfect meal for those nights when you have little time to cook before the evening’s activities. Stir Fry Garlic Chicken offers bright vegetables and juicy chicken pieces that are certain to get your mount watering. In addition, the chicken, garlic, and veggies provide low-fat nutrients that are great for boosting energy and your overall health.Quick Easy Beans and Rice with EggBy Nikki PageQuick Easy Beans and Rice with Egg is one of Nikki's favorite lunches. This simple recipe takes under 15 minutes to prepare and is another satiating option. One bowl of Quick Easy Beans and Rice with Egg and you will have the energy to power through your afternoon. The egg compliments the beans and rice nicely, giving it additional flavor and color. Nikki prefers her egg over easy with hot sauce, which adds a zesty flavor to the bowl.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.Chicken & Camote – Electric Pressure CookerBy Nikki PageChicken & Camote - Electric Pressure Cooker is another quick and easy recipe that produces a very nutritious meal. Not only is Chicken & Camote packed with nutrients, but is extremely affordable too! Camote is sweet, so it compliments the savory flavors of the chicken perfectly.
We recommend adding a bright colored slaw, or fruit salad to increase the visual presentation of the dish.
