Costa Rica General Info: Costa Rica Food: Costa Rica Recipes:

“Comida Tipica” or native Costa Rica dishes, rely heavily on rice and beans, the basis of most meals. Tasty home-style cooking is what you’ll find in most local restaurants.  Meals are generally wholesome and reasonably priced.

Gallo Pinto, the national dish of fried rice and black beans is particularly served as a breakfast, along with eggs and toast. Many meals include “arroz con pollo” (chicken) or “arroz con atun” (tuna).

At lunch Gallo Pinto becomes Casado: a large plate of rice and beans with salad, fried plantains, and choice of meat. Vegetables do not form a large part of the diet here in Costa Rica. Home cuisine has its share of fried foods.

In Costa Rica, the word 'Soda' means a small restaurant serving local “typical” cuisine. They are the best bargain in the house! Take the opportunity to try one of the many local dishes, called “Casado”. Generous servings go for only $1.80 to $4 a (large) plate.

'Casado' is a Spanish term that means 'married man’s meal', and that is exactly what this dish is: a plate full of “a little of everything”. It comes with your choice of meat (chicken, fish, beef or pork), a serving of rice, beans, salad and usually fried bananas and tortillas.

Here are a few Costa Rica food terms to know:

carne - beef

pollo – chicken

pescado – fish

cerdo – pork

atun - tuna

pollo, carne, pescado en salsa – chicken, beef, fish in sauce

pescado al ajillo – fish cooked in garlic and butter
pollo frito - fried chicken
chuleta de (chop) cerdo (pork) - pork chop
bistek -  slice of beef
arroz - rice

camarones - shrimp
mariscos – seafood  

Drinks:

Natural - a fruit drink with fresh fruit, your choice of water (agua) or milk (leche) blended together.

You can usually choose fresh fruit such as:

·         Piña (pineapple)

·         Mora (blackberry)

·         Papaya

·         Banana

·         Sandia (watermelon)

·         Café (coffee) con leche (with milk) negro (black)

·         Te frio (iced tea)

Beer: cerveza (serr-vessa)

·         Imperial (in reg. or light)

·         Bavaria (Dark or Light)

·         Pilsen

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