Recipe: Gallo Pinto (Spotted Rooster)

the appetizer:

Almost 95% of the Costa Rican population are of Spanish or Mestizo (mixed) heritage, heavily influencing the country's cooking style. Costa Rica's traditionally mild, not over-spiced cuisine usually features rice and beans, which are also the main ingredients in the national recipe, gallo pinto.

Costa Rica

Gallo Pinto (Spotted Rooster)

1 cup of cooked rice
1 cup of cooked beans
1 chopped onion (small)
1 small chopped red pepper
2 tablespoons of celery
2 cloves of garlic chopped
1 tablespoon vegetable oil (or 1 teaspoon margarine)
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
4 tablespoons Salsa Lizano*
2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon seasoning (your choice)

1. Fry onion, red pepper, garlic, cilantro in the vegetable oil, about 3 minutes.

2. Pour in the beans and add the sauce, black pepper and seasoning. Let it cook for a few minutes, but don't let it dry out.

3. Pour in the cooked rice and mix it with the beans.

Enjoy with:

Sour Cream
Platanos maduros (fried plantains)
Eggs (fried or scrambled )

*Salsa Lizano is a commercial product rarely found outside Costa Rica. You can substitute Worcestershire sauce but don't expect the same taste. Some people recommend the vegetarian version of Worcestershire sauce and others say to use any salsa. Your mileage may vary.