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.
PlantainBy Steve PagePlantain are extremely common throughout Central America making them an extremely affordable food. You will find plantains on nearly every casado (typical Costa Rican plates), which is no surprise because they are so prevalent in the area.
Plantains can be used for cooking at any stage of ripeness, but ripe ones can be eaten raw. Just like bananas, as the plantain ripens, it becomes sweeter and its color changes from green to yellow to black. Green plantains are firm and starchy, and they resemble potatoes in flavor. Foods like patacones or tostones are made by using the green. Locals use the ripe versions to make Fried Plantains.
Plantain nutrition information resembles the banana very closely. Since you get a large volume at a little price, plantains are a great "bang for the buck" so to speak. They can take a week or longer to ripen and since you can use them at nearly any stage they are a staple to have in your Costa Rica kitchen.
Health benefits of Plantains include:
1. Digestive Health – Plantains are good for digestive health because of their high fiber content.
2. Weight Control – Plantains may help reduce weight. That’s because they are high in fiber and contain complex carbohydrates that help keep you full.
3. Heart-Healthy – Plantains are high potassium, which helps maintain the cells and fluid that control your blood pressure and keep your heart pumping.
Delicious Banana Pancakes, Quick & Easy, Gluten-FreeBy Nikki PageAvocado Tomato Toast & Fruit
Savor a heart-healthy, plant-based breakfast with this easy Avocado and Tomato Toast. Packed with fiber, healthy fats, and vitamins, it's the perfect quick start to your day. Enjoy with a side of colorful, seasonal fruit for added antioxidants.
Ingredients:
Whole-grain bread
Ripe avocado
Fresh tomato
Lemon juice
Mixed greens
Seasonal fruits
Prep Time: 5 mins | Cook Time: 15 mins | Total Time: 20 mins
Toast, top, and enjoy!
This excerpt is short and to the point, making it suitable for search engine results while still providing essential information about the recipe.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.Pan Fried Pineapple Pork SteakBy Steve PagePan-Fried Pineapple Pork Steak is a delicious and affordable meat dish. If you are looking for a low-cost alternative to chicken, this dish hits the spot. Pineapple compliments the pan-fried pork steak perfectly with its juicy sweetness and bright color. The flavor and spices penetrate to the center of the meat by marinating the meat overnight. At under $3 per person, pan-fried pineapple pork steak is a savory main course that will keep you on budget.Cocoa Brownies Without Chocolate ChipsBy Steve PageBlack 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...)