The {Page-Turner-Cookbook} featuring
Costa-Rica Is My Kitchen
Costa-Rica Appetizers & Soups
Costa-Rica Main Dishes
Costa-Rica Desserts
liquid Measures
Weight & temperature Measures
non-liquid ingredients
Top 5 countries
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Weight & temperature Measures
non-liquid ingredients
Top 5 countries
Last Page
Exotic fruits grow locally in the tropical environment, so there is always something to make the food exciting. Meals in Costa Rica often contain both rice and black beans, or at least one or the other.
Casado
The most traditional of Costa Rican meals, the Casado is an entire meal including white rice, beans, plantains, picadillo, salad and some type of meat (chicken, fish, pork or beef).
Gallo Pinto
Particularly popular for breakfast, the gallo pinto is a rice-and-beans dish prepared with onion, celery and other spices, sometimes accompanied with natilla or scrambled eggs.
Chifrijo
Chifrijo is made of corn tortilla, chicharrón (fried pork) and beans. Other popular versions are pollo frito (fried chicken) and a vegetarian version: yuca frita (fried cassava).
Appetizer Black bean and corn wonton appetizers 
Serves: 12
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time:10 minutes
36 wonton skins 2/3 cup thick and chunky salsa
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1-15 ounce can whole kernel corn, drained
1-15 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup sour cream
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Gently fit 1 wonton skin into each of 36 small muffin cups, 1 3/4x1 inch, pressing against bottom and side. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
Remove from pan; cool on wire rack. Mix remaining ingredients except sour cream.
Just before serving, spoon bean mixture into wonton cups. Top each with 1/2 teaspoon sour cream.
Gently fit 1 wonton skin into each of 36 small muffin cups, 1 3/4x1 inch, pressing against bottom and side. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
Remove from pan; cool on wire rack. Mix remaining ingredients except sour cream.
Just before serving, spoon bean mixture into wonton cups. Top each with 1/2 teaspoon sour cream.
Main Achiote chicken and rice
This carribean and Latin American chicken skillet is bursting with flavor? Look no further than this tasty dish flavored with annatto and manzanilla olives.
Serves: 6
2 Tbsp. annatto paste
1 broiler-fryer chicken (3 lb.), cut up, skin removed
1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
1 cup chopped onions
1 red pepper, cut into strips
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups water
1 chicken bouillon cube
1/3 cup manzanilla olives, halved
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
Serves: 6
Preparation time:30 minutes
Cooking time:25 minutes
1/2 cup Mayonnaise2 Tbsp. annatto paste
1 broiler-fryer chicken (3 lb.), cut up, skin removed
1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
1 cup chopped onions
1 red pepper, cut into strips
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups water
1 chicken bouillon cube
1/3 cup manzanilla olives, halved
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
Mix mayo and annatto paste. Add half to chicken in large bowl; toss to coat.
Cook chicken in large deep skillet or Dutch oven on medium-high heat 5 min. or until evenly browned, turning occasionally. Remove chicken from skillet; discard drippings. Cover chicken to keep warm.
Add rice, onions, peppers, garlic and remaining mayo mixture to skillet; cook on medium-low heat 3 min., stirring constantly. Add water and bouillon; stir. Top with chicken. Bring to boil; cover. Simmer on low heat 22 to 25 min. or until chicken is done (165ºF) and liquid is absorbed.
Top with olives and cilantro.
Cook chicken in large deep skillet or Dutch oven on medium-high heat 5 min. or until evenly browned, turning occasionally. Remove chicken from skillet; discard drippings. Cover chicken to keep warm.
Add rice, onions, peppers, garlic and remaining mayo mixture to skillet; cook on medium-low heat 3 min., stirring constantly. Add water and bouillon; stir. Top with chicken. Bring to boil; cover. Simmer on low heat 22 to 25 min. or until chicken is done (165ºF) and liquid is absorbed.
Top with olives and cilantro.
Main Chifrijo -Costa Rican crispy pork rice and beans
Corn tortillas, oil for frying and a little salt is all you need to prepare and enjoy homemade chips at home. Take your tortillas out of the plastic the day before and let them dry out. This will ensure a quick fry and crispy chips. One pound dry red beans soaked overnight in the slow cooker covered with plenty of water, 1/2 an onion, bulb of garlic, bay leaf and jalapeño. Cook on low for 8 hours or until beans are tender. If beans don’t have a lot of broth, add a little chicken or vegetable broth, about 1 cupAdd salt once tender.
Serves: 6
2 pounds pork belly
1 teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons soy sauce optional
for the pico de gallo
6 Roma tomatoes deseeded and diced
½ cup white onion finely diced
1 clove garlic minced
1 large jalapeño or 2 serrano peppers, diced
1 red fresno pepper diced (removing seeds is optional)
¼ cup cilantro chopped, or to taste
juice of 1 lime
1 tablespoon olive oil optional
salt and pepper to taste
for the red beans
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
4 cups red beans or black beans, cooked with the broth
1/3cup white onion or yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic minced
1 stalk celery finely diced
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chile ancho powder optional
2 tablespoons hot sauce
you will also need:
4 cups of your favorite cooked rice
homemade corn tortilla chips or a good thick, store-bought chip
1 to 2 avocados sliced
extra hot sauce for garnish
Serves: 6
Preparation time:40 minutes
Cooking time:2 hours
for the homemade chicharron2 pounds pork belly
1 teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons soy sauce optional
for the pico de gallo
6 Roma tomatoes deseeded and diced
½ cup white onion finely diced
1 clove garlic minced
1 large jalapeño or 2 serrano peppers, diced
1 red fresno pepper diced (removing seeds is optional)
¼ cup cilantro chopped, or to taste
juice of 1 lime
1 tablespoon olive oil optional
salt and pepper to taste
for the red beans
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
4 cups red beans or black beans, cooked with the broth
1/3cup white onion or yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic minced
1 stalk celery finely diced
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chile ancho powder optional
2 tablespoons hot sauce
you will also need:
4 cups of your favorite cooked rice
homemade corn tortilla chips or a good thick, store-bought chip
1 to 2 avocados sliced
extra hot sauce for garnish
1. Combine the sea salt and pepper. Season the pork belly on both sides, add the soy sauce and rub in to season all over. Place the pork belly on a plate and refrigerate overnight uncovered.
2. Remove pork belly from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Preheat oven to 500ºF. Place the pork skin side up on a wire rack, lined with a baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes at 500 degrees, lower temperature to 325ºF and roast for another 90 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool before slicing.
3. When ready to prepare chicharron, slice the pork belly into bite-size pieces. Transfer to a heavy pot and heat to medium/low. This takes a little while because you want the pork to release the fat slowly and cook in its own fat. Stir now and then and cook until pork becomes crispy in most spots. Remove from pan and drain onto paper towels.
4. In a bowl, combine all of the ingredients for the pico de gallo. Season to taste, cover and set aside.
5. In a medium sauce pan, preheat 2 tablespoons of olive oil to medium heat. Add the onions, garlic and celery. Season lightly with salt and pepper and continue cooking for 5 to 7 minutes. Add all of the remaining ingredients for the beans. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, taste for salt.
6. Warm the chicharrones for a few seconds in the microwave. In a shallow bowl, ladle in some bean broth, rice, beans (without broth), chicharrones, pico de gallo and hot sauce. Garnish with tortilla chips and avocado slices.
Adapted from https://hispanickitchen.com/
2. Remove pork belly from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Preheat oven to 500ºF. Place the pork skin side up on a wire rack, lined with a baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes at 500 degrees, lower temperature to 325ºF and roast for another 90 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool before slicing.
3. When ready to prepare chicharron, slice the pork belly into bite-size pieces. Transfer to a heavy pot and heat to medium/low. This takes a little while because you want the pork to release the fat slowly and cook in its own fat. Stir now and then and cook until pork becomes crispy in most spots. Remove from pan and drain onto paper towels.
4. In a bowl, combine all of the ingredients for the pico de gallo. Season to taste, cover and set aside.
5. In a medium sauce pan, preheat 2 tablespoons of olive oil to medium heat. Add the onions, garlic and celery. Season lightly with salt and pepper and continue cooking for 5 to 7 minutes. Add all of the remaining ingredients for the beans. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, taste for salt.
6. Warm the chicharrones for a few seconds in the microwave. In a shallow bowl, ladle in some bean broth, rice, beans (without broth), chicharrones, pico de gallo and hot sauce. Garnish with tortilla chips and avocado slices.
Adapted from https://hispanickitchen.com/
Main Gallo pinto
Literally meaning painted rooster, Gallo pinto is a favorite rice-and-beans concoction that is commonly considered the national dish of Costa Rica usually eaten for breakfast, sometimes with scrambled or fried eggs, but it is an enjoyable food at any time of day.
Serves: 6
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
1 tablespoon garlic, finely chopped
2 cups cooked black beans, drained
½ cup Salsa Lizano
3 cups cooked rice (white, short grain)
½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Serves: 6
Preparation time:10 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
2 tablespoons vegetable oil1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
1 tablespoon garlic, finely chopped
2 cups cooked black beans, drained
½ cup Salsa Lizano
3 cups cooked rice (white, short grain)
½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1. Pour oil into large pan and place on medium heat. Sauté onion, red pepper and garlic until onions begin to soften.
2. Add beans and Lizano sauce, a classic Costa Rican condiment. (If Salsa Lizano is not available, mix together 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, ½ teaspoon ground ginger and 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce. Add to onion mix before beans.) Let simmer for 5 minutes, stirring from time to time.
3. Fold in the cooked rice, reduce to very low heat and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until all liquid is gone and mixture is well heated.
4. Sprinkle in cilantro and serve warm.
2. Add beans and Lizano sauce, a classic Costa Rican condiment. (If Salsa Lizano is not available, mix together 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, ½ teaspoon ground ginger and 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce. Add to onion mix before beans.) Let simmer for 5 minutes, stirring from time to time.
3. Fold in the cooked rice, reduce to very low heat and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until all liquid is gone and mixture is well heated.
4. Sprinkle in cilantro and serve warm.
Main Sopa negra
Serves: 6
Preparation time:10 minutes
Cooking time:3 hours
1 lb. dried black beans Sometimes you can find fresh, raw beans in Costa Rica!1 tablespoon oil
1 medium onion peeled and chopped
1 cup chopped celery1 cup chopped carrots
1 red bell pepper seeded and chopped
1 jalapeno pepper seeded and chopped small
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
2 cloves garlic pressed or minced
8 cups or more chicken broth
1 teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground cumin
salt and pepper
2 hard-boiled eggs sliced in quarters
1 radish sliced thinly
1 avocado sliced thinly
A few dices of red bell pepper
A dollop of sour cream per dish
Wash the beans and place in a large stockpot.
Cover with water and bring to a boil.
Boil for three minutes and then turn off the heat and allow to sit for one hour.
While waiting for the beans, saute in canola oil, the onion, celery, carrot and peppers. Once they soften add the garlic.
Drain and rinse the beans and then return to the pot.
Add the broth and the sautéed vegetables, ginger, salt and pepper and the cilantro.
Bring to a boil and then turn the heat down, partially cover and simmer until the beans are tender.
This should take about 2 to 3 hours.
Garnish with a spoon of sour cream, a slice of avocado, chopped green onions, sliced radishes, chopped hard cooked egg and a bit of diced red pepper.
Serve with warm corn tortillas.
Cover with water and bring to a boil.
Boil for three minutes and then turn off the heat and allow to sit for one hour.
While waiting for the beans, saute in canola oil, the onion, celery, carrot and peppers. Once they soften add the garlic.
Drain and rinse the beans and then return to the pot.
Add the broth and the sautéed vegetables, ginger, salt and pepper and the cilantro.
Bring to a boil and then turn the heat down, partially cover and simmer until the beans are tender.
This should take about 2 to 3 hours.
Garnish with a spoon of sour cream, a slice of avocado, chopped green onions, sliced radishes, chopped hard cooked egg and a bit of diced red pepper.
Serve with warm corn tortillas.
Dessert Chocolate mocha soufflé
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:45 minutes
1 teaspoon instant espresso 1 teaspoon hot water
6 ounces semi sweet chocolate
1/4 cup heavy cream
3 egg yolks
1 teaspoon flour
6 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 teaspoons sugar
1 cup whipped cream
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Butter and flour a 5 cup soufflé mold. Chill until ready to use. Combine espresso with hot water, stir until dissolved. Melt chocolate in on top of double boiler. Stir in the cream and coffee.
Beat egg yolks and flour. Stir this into the chocolate. Beat egg whites with cream of tartar to a soft peak.
Gradually add the sugar, and beat egg whites to a stiff peak. Stir a 1/4 of the whites into chocolate mixture, then fold chocolate mixture into remaining egg whites, a little at a time.
Pour mixture into the prepared mold. Bake for 35 45 minutes. Serve hot with whipped cream .
Butter and flour a 5 cup soufflé mold. Chill until ready to use. Combine espresso with hot water, stir until dissolved. Melt chocolate in on top of double boiler. Stir in the cream and coffee.
Beat egg yolks and flour. Stir this into the chocolate. Beat egg whites with cream of tartar to a soft peak.
Gradually add the sugar, and beat egg whites to a stiff peak. Stir a 1/4 of the whites into chocolate mixture, then fold chocolate mixture into remaining egg whites, a little at a time.
Pour mixture into the prepared mold. Bake for 35 45 minutes. Serve hot with whipped cream .
Dessert Mango coconut chia pudding
Serves: 2
Preparation time: 5 minutes
1/2 cup lite coconut milk1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
3/4 cup fresh ripe Ataúlfo mango, diced
2 tbsp chia seeds
1 tbsp sweetened shredded coconut
4-6 drops Nu-Naturals liquid stevia (or sugar/honey to taste)
Combine all ingredients in a large container. Mix well and close container.
Refrigerate overnight or at least 5-6 hours.
Divide into 2 bowls or glass dishes and serve. Enjoy!
Refrigerate overnight or at least 5-6 hours.
Divide into 2 bowls or glass dishes and serve. Enjoy!
Dessert Mango soufflé
Filled with intense tropical flavors, this light soufflé gives the best results with ripe mangoes.
Serves: 6
For the molds
2 teaspoons butter
2 teaspoons sugar
2 medium mangos ( 1 1/2 cups puree)
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
4 egg yolks
4 egg whites
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
3/4 cup confectioner's sugar
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
6 1 1/4-cup soufflé molds For the molds
2 teaspoons butter
2 teaspoons sugar
2 medium mangos ( 1 1/2 cups puree)
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
4 egg yolks
4 egg whites
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
3/4 cup confectioner's sugar
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter the soufflé molds. Sprinkle the bottom and sides of molds with sugar; shake out excess. Place dishes on a baking sheet. Do not touch the inside.
Choose ripe mangos, full of flavor. Peel and slice all the pulp into a mixing bowl. discard the pits.
Puree the mango pulp in a food processor. Whisk in the sugar and lemon juice. Pour the mixture in a saucepan, and stew over medium heat until thick. Cool the mango and transfer to a mixing bowl. Cool for 10 minutes Stir in the egg yolks.
In an electric mixing bowl, whip the egg whites with the cream of tartar. When they reach a soft peaks, gradually add the confectioners sugar, and continue beating until the whites are firm and fluffy.
Fold the egg whites into the mango mixture.
Fill the mold with the soufflé mixture. Smooth the top with a spatula. Bake 12 to 15 minutes.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve at once. Serve with a coconut custard cream.
Choose ripe mangos, full of flavor. Peel and slice all the pulp into a mixing bowl. discard the pits.
Puree the mango pulp in a food processor. Whisk in the sugar and lemon juice. Pour the mixture in a saucepan, and stew over medium heat until thick. Cool the mango and transfer to a mixing bowl. Cool for 10 minutes Stir in the egg yolks.
In an electric mixing bowl, whip the egg whites with the cream of tartar. When they reach a soft peaks, gradually add the confectioners sugar, and continue beating until the whites are firm and fluffy.
Fold the egg whites into the mango mixture.
Fill the mold with the soufflé mixture. Smooth the top with a spatula. Bake 12 to 15 minutes.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve at once. Serve with a coconut custard cream.
conversion of liquids
Weights
Temperatures
Measures of non liquid ingredients
Non-liquid ingredients in volume converted
|
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ingredient |
1 cup |
3/4 cup |
2/3 cup |
1/2 cup |
1/3 cup |
1/4 cup |
2 tablespoons |
| All-purpose wheat flour | 120 g | 90 g | 80 g | 60 g | 40 g | 30 g | 15 g |
| All-purpose sifted wheat flour | 110 g | 80 g | 70 g | 55 g | 35 g | 27 g | 13 g |
| White sugar | 200 g | 150 g | 130 g | 100 g | 65 g | 50 g | 25 g |
| Powdered sugar/Icing sugar | 100 g | 75 g | 70 g | 50 g | 35 g | 25 g | 13 g |
| Brown sugar normally packed | 180 g | 135 g | 120 g | 90 g | 60 g | 45 g | 23 g |
| Corn flour | 160 g | 120 g | 100 g | 80 g | 50 g | 40 g | 20 g |
| Cornstarch | 120 g | 90 g | 80 g | 60 g | 40 g | 30 g | 15 g |
| Rice (not-cooked) | 190 g | 140 g | 125 g | 95 g | 65 g | 48 g | 24 g |
| Macaroni (uncooked) | 140 g | 100 g | 90 g | 70 g | 45 g | 35 g | 17 g |
| Couscous (uncooked) | 180 g | 135 g | 120 g | 90 g | 60 g | 45 g | 22 g |
| Quick oatmeal (uncooked) | 90 g | 65 g | 60 g | 45 g | 30 g | 22 g | 11 g |
| Table salt | 300 g | 230 g | 200 g | 150 g | 100 g | 75 g | 40 g |
| Butter / Margarine | 240 g | 180 g | 160 g | 120 g | 80 g | 60 g | 30 g |
| Shortening | 190 g | 140 g | 125 g | 95 g | 65 g | 48 g | 24 g |
| Fruits and légumes chopped | 150 g | 110 g | 100 g | 75 g | 50 g | 40 g | 20 g |
| chopped walnuts | 150 g | 110 g | 100 g | 75 g | 50 g | 40 g | 20 g |
| Nuts /ground almonds | 120 g | 90 g | 80 g | 60 g | 40 g | 30 g | 15 g |
| Fresh bread crumbs (not packed) | 60 g | 45 g | 40 g | 30 g | 20 g | 15 g | 8 g |
| Dry bread crumbs | 150 g | 110 g | 100 g | 75 g | 50 g | 40 g | 20 g |
| Parmesan grated | 90 g | 65 g | 60 g | 45 g | 30 g | 22 g | 11 g |
| Chocolate chips | 150 g | 110 g | 100 g | 75 g | 50 g | 38 g | 19 g |
As the sun rises or sets in Costa-Rica
"May every sunrise hold more promise, and every sunset hold more peace."
The {Page Turner} E-Cookbooks
Library on a world cooking journey
8 Recipes
4 Main dishes
3 Desserts