Tico Treat, a Latinalicious Guest Post by Carolyn Gonzalez
by Ms. Latina ~ April 10th, 2009. Filed under: Health.
When Ms. Latina asked me to do a guest post on her blog, I was flattered. We had been tweeting about food and I mentioned I was having gallo pinto. Gallo Pinto for those who don’t know is “el plato tipico de Costa Rica.”Nothing says Costa Rican food like gallo pinto. Now I know other countries have their own version but I am here to tell you about my version.
. Wooo Hooo!
Check out Carolyn’s blog, Carolyn in Carolina, and leave her some comment luv! Just keep an out for Scott, he’s a Natural Born Killer!
Gallo Pinto translates into “painted rooster.” Gallo pinto is just rice and beans cooked with onions and bell pepper and Salsa Lizano. Salsa Lizano is a sort of Costa Rican Worcestershire sauce. It is fabulous. It’s hard to find here but I get my supply from Costa Rica when my parents visit. An interesting tidbit is that one of my great uncles invented this sauce and then sold it to the Lizanocompany and they made a fortune while he did not. He got some money but the Lizano’s are the ones who made the money because the sauce is a Costa Rican staple and used in everything.
It’s super easy to make. I warn you, I don’t do recipes, I just willy nilly cook. Take half an onion and dice it up. Dice up half a red bell pepper. Sauté them in a little oil until they get soft. I cheat and use canned black beans because I am lazy and hate making real beans but you can make your own; it’s better that way. Add the beans to the pan and then add some garlic, salt and pepper to taste. I also add a little cilantro and, of course, the Salsa Lizano but you can use Worcestershire sauce (again to taste). Then add cooked white rice. Mix it up. That’s it!
My abuelita used to serve this to us con un huevito fritofor breakfast. But I use it mainly as an entrée or side dish. I love eating this with fresh pan y mantequilla and with a dollop of natilla (sour cream).
Unlike the cuisines of Mexico, Cuba or Argentina, Costa Rican food isn’t that distinctive but this is one dish that is verytipico of the country. I love having this because it reminds of being there having breakfast with my familia when I go visit. It also reminds me of my abuelita Hilda and being in her kitchen learning how to cook.
Buen provecho!!
Thank you Carolyn for this delicious AND healthy recipe! I have to tell you when I saw the pics I was drooling at work! I plan on making it this weekend and sneaking in some brown rice (Doc said no more white for me- Blahhhh to her!). I also did a search and found the Lizano sauce on Amazon: Lizano Salsa Sauce 9 Oz / 280ml. Wooo Hooo!
Check out Carolyn’s blog, Carolyn in Carolina, and leave her some comment luv! Just keep an out for Scott, he’s a Natural Born Killer!
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April 10th, 2009 at 1:43 am
Thanks for allowing me to be a guest blogger!! I am glad you liked the recipe and I hope you like how it tastes.
Gracias amiga!
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April 10th, 2009 at 1:53 am
This looks really good. Carolyn, you need to try some delicious Venezuelan treats. We make a great Peruvian dish here at our house.
April 10th, 2009 at 3:14 am
I am a “willy nilly” cook as well! Drives my husband nuts but it is the way I cook! I am definitely going to try this because my kiddos will love it!
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April 10th, 2009 at 6:11 am
This is making my mouth water. It sounds and looks so good. I cannot wait to try this recipe out myself. Great post.
April 10th, 2009 at 7:39 am
I’m sure I will! I’m always looking for some new way to make rice – in my house they don’t think its dinner if I don’t include it! Normally I make white for them and brown for me but maybe with this recipe I can sneak it in hehe
April 10th, 2009 at 11:28 am
Caro, muchas gracias! Bueno alimentos aqui.
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April 10th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
What a great recipe and I love the style of Carolyn’s sraightforward writing! Thanks for this yummy recipe!
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April 10th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
It sound and look very good … I might be trying this recipe on of this days … it looks very yummi..thanks
April 11th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Carolyn used to make this dish for me when we lived in side by side efficiencies while attending college… Needless to say it was bien rico…
Thanks for the recipe C will ask J to make it for me….
April 11th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
Stopping by from Carolyn’s blog! Fab dish, I’m drooling too! I bet hubby would love this too! Darn brown rice and health what is up with that … LOL.
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May 31st, 2009 at 12:07 am
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July 5th, 2010 at 8:38 pm
Thanks for this recipe. Just got back from Costa Rica and I’m sooooo sorry that I didn’t think to pick up a bottle (or case) of the Salsa Lizano. I’m craving it like crazy. Now I’m looking for the least expensive online version. But I’ll pay whatever I have to.
November 23rd, 2010 at 1:27 pm
Wow, that looks delish!!