Gallo Pinto (beans and rice)

[SmokinEdge]

Occasionally we make Gallo Pinto, which is a rice and bean dish from Costa Rica. This is considered a national dish there and even often eaten with fried eggs for breakfast. However, we like it as a different side dish as the flavor is different and a little bit sweet due to the Lizano Salsa that is used in it. Lizano is an excellent condiment sauce much like steak sauce but sweeter and made of blended vegetables. It is very unique and really cannot be substituted. Get you some Lozano and you will find many uses for this bottled sauce from Costa Rica.

Im making Cornell chicken tonight thanks to Bill’s post. I thought this rice and beans would pair perfectly. Recipe to follow for the Gallo Pinto.

 

[SmokinEdge]

Gallo Pinto, basic recipe:

2Tbs olive oil
1 red bell pepper diced
1 small onion diced
2 cloves minced garlic
2 cups cooked beans with reserved juice
1/4 cup Lizano
3 cups cooked rice (preferably day old and refrigerated, but not necessary)
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Sauté peppers, onion and garlic until translucent.
Add the beans to the skillet with liquid and the Salsa Lizano. Reduce slightly. Stir in cooked rice combine and heat through.

To finish stir in the chopped cilantro (can also use parsley, or omit entirely)

Plate and add more Lizano as desired.

Plate pics will follow in a few hours.

 

[JLinza]

Im in...

 

[02ebz06]

If only...
I was in Costa Rica in April. Could have picked up a few bottles...

 

[SmokinEdge]

For the beans you can use pintos or black beans or a combination. If you use canned beans I strongly recommend using Goya brand beans specifically, don’t use any other brand, you can thank me later, it’s that big of a difference and especially if you want to use the juice.

We almost always have homemade pinto beans on hand so I’m using those leftover beans with 1 small can of Goya black beans. Also I’m using about 1 cup of homemade “Mexican rice” not the box stuff, and 1 cup of regular white rice. Btw, I don’t measure much and cook by sight and feel so YMMV.

 

[SmokinEdge]

If only...
I was in Costa Rica in April. Could have picked up a few bottles...

Amazon has it all day. Actually I happened to see this latest bottle on the shelf at local grocery, first time actually, but we usually order off Amazon.

 

[SmokinEdge]

Rice and beans done.

 

[SmokinEdge]

Plate with the Cornell chicken.

 

[SmokinEdge]

Piece on the right is the back with the neck. Yes, I still cook and eat chicken backs. Delicious.

 

[indaswamp]

Looks delicious SE! I like the looks of the recipe. Will have to give that a go one night.

 

[JLinza]

That looks like a fine plate Eric. Right up my alley