Costa Rica is one of Sundance Vacations newest and most exciting destinations! Our Travelers can now experience Central America and enjoy all the things that it has to offer, including its delicious cuisine!
One of the most traditional dishes you will find in Costa Rica is that of Black Beans and Rice. It is eaten by many Costa Ricans nearly every day and once you taste it, you’ll understand why! More commonly known as “Gallo Pinto”, which loosely translates to “Spotted Rooster” in Spanish. Many speculate that the name comes from the dish’s speckled look that results from mixing the lighter colored rice and Black Beans together. Variations of this dish can be found throughout Spanish cultured lands in Europe, South America and the Caribbean.
The Sundance Vacations Costa Rican Black Beans and Rice Recipe puts a slightly more North American angle on the traditional dish, adding in some bacon. Let be honest, who doesn’t love bacon? But, if you happen to be a non-meat eater, you can easily skip that part as well as the broth and it will quickly become a delightful vegetarian dish. Cook and Prep time are about 10 minutes each, depending on the bacon and rice, and it should serve about six people.
Ingredients
- 6 strips uncooked bacon (Optional, skip this ingredient for a delicious vegetarian dish)
- 1/2 onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 15 oz can cooked black beans, drained
- 3 cups cold cooked rice
- 1 ½ tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce (Vegetarians can use the Vegetarian Worcestershire sauce option)
- 4 tablespoons broth (preferably beef, but any will do) (Optional, skip this ingredient for a delicious vegetarian dish)
- ½ tablespoon hot sauce, optional (which ever brand you like best)
- 1 handful of cilantro, finely chopped
- salt and pepper
Preparation
Cook bacon (sliced or whole) in a large saute pan over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon and all but two tablespoons of remaining fat. (If you don’t wish to use any bacon fat, discard and replace with 2 tablespoons of your preferred cooking oil). When bacon cools, crunch it up into small pieces. Set aside a bit of the bacon bits for garnish.
Add peppers and onion to skillet and cook over medium heat. Add beans and cook two minutes longer. Add cooked rice and mix, cook 3 minutes more. Add Worcestershire, hot sauce, broth, cilantro and bacon and mix well. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, and if the rice seems too dry add a little more broth. Garnish with reserved bacon crumbs. If desired, top with sour cream.
*Vegetarians use only the vegetarian Worcestershire sauce!*
Nutritional Facts
Per serving (1): 294 calories, 5 g fat, 0 Cholestorol, 2 mg Sodium, 7 g Protein, 42 g carbohydrates
We are always anxious for feed back! Should you decided to try our Costa Rican Black Beans and Rice Recipe, please let us know how it comes out! Feel free to comment below, offer suggestions to others and more! Be sure to check back each week as we will be adding a new Sundance Vacations Travel Inspired Recipe every Thursday right here on the Sundance Vacations Travel Blog!
Recently we profiled one of our new Costa Rican properties in an article right here on our Travel Blog, to read it, click here.
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Sundance Vacations Recipes: Costa Rican Black Beans and Rice
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