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Recipes
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Agua Dulce - Whole Sugar Cane Hot Drink
Agua Dulce is a hot drink made of whole sugar cane and is usually served instead of coffee.
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Arepas - Costa Rican Crepes
Arepas are Costa Rican crepes that can be both savory or sweet and are popular snacks.
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Arroz Con Leche - Rice Pudding
The key to great arroz con leche is cinnamon. It's that special kick that infuses and inspires the dish. While some ...
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Arroz con Pollo - Chicken & Rice
Arroz con Pollo (chicken and fried rice) is one of the country's most popular dishes served for lunch and dinner. You'll...
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Arroz Guacho - Sticky Rice
A savory pork and rice dish ideal for a chilly evening or potluck dinner.
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Atol de Naranja - Orange Pudding
A sweet citrus pudding that is as easy to prepare as it is delicious.
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Bacalao - Cod Soup
Fresh cod fillet is first soaked and then simmered into a delicious, savory soup.
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Barbudos - String Bean Fritters
Barbudos (string bean fritters) have been helping Costa Ricans mothers feed their kids green vegetables for decades. ...
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Bean-stuffed Bell Peppers
Large red bell peppers stuffed with pork, beans, cheese and savory spices.
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Bistec Encebollado - Steak and Onions
Steak and onions is a quick and easy lunch or dinner without a lot of cleanup. Forget the barbeque; all you need is a ...
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Bolitas de Coco - Coconut Balls
No-bake coconut cookies made with just four ingredients.
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Budin - Bread Pudding
A sweet, oven-baked pudding often served during the Christmas season.
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Ceviche
A Costa Rican seafood staple, ceviche is made from fresh sea bass, snapper, octopus, abalone, or shrimp seasoned and ...
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Ceviche de Platanos Verdes - Green Plantain Ceviche
A traditional and tangy side dish made from soaking green plantains in fresh lime juice.
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Chicha de Maiz - Cracked Corn Punch
A tangy beverage that blends cracked corn with fresh ginger.
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Chile Relleno - Stuffed Peppers
Hearty bell peppers stuffed with a mix of spices, lean beef and onions.
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Coffee
Costa Ricans have a love for coffee brewed in their history as Central America's major exporter of java. Many drink as ...
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Costa Rican Food and Drink
Costa Rican food is a fusion cuisine. It combines elements of culinary traditions from Africa, Italy, France, China, and...
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Costa Rican Style Rice
White rice embellished with onion, bell pepper, and garlic.
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Costa Rican Terrine
A terrine with heart of palm, dates and coconut milk all into one delicious dish.
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Costa Rican Tilapia
Fresh tilapia marinated in lime juice and spices, baked to perfection, and served with rice.
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Dulce de Ayote - Sweet Crookneck Squash
A sweet compote of squash, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, orange peel, and lime leaves.
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Dulce de Leche - Caramelized Condensed Milk
Thick, syrupy and caramelized, this is perfect for spreading on bread or over thin wafers.
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Empanadas - Cheese & Bean Turnovers
Savory turnovers filled with cheese, beans and spicy chorizo.
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Empanadas de Chiverre - Winter Squash Turnovers
A sweet pocket turnover filled with a puree of honeyed winter squash.
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Empanadas de Pina - Pineapple Turnovers
Sweet baked turnovers brimming with pineapple jam.
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Ensalada de Chayote - Vegetable Pear Salad
A fresh salad made with crispy greens, vegetable pears, and your choice of vinaigrette.
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Ensalada de Palmito - Heart of Palm Salad
Tender hearts of palm, crispy greens, and a tasty vinaigrette combine in this fresh salad.
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Ensalada de Repollo y Atun - Tuna & Cabbage Salad
Crunchy cabbage, savory tuna and fresh lime juice create a satisfying salad.
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Ensalada Rusa - Beet & Potato Salad
A salad of red beets, potatoes, and boiled eggs that pleases both the palate and the eyes.
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Escabeche de Pollo - Chicken Escabeche
Browned chicken drumsticks marinated in olive oil, onions, capers and olives.
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Flor de Itabo - Yucca Flower Omelet
A seasonal dish made with flor de itabo, the cream-colored flower of the yucca plant.
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Fresco de Frutas - Fruit Drink
A thick, creamy shake that combines fresh fruits, water and syrup.
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Fresco de Limon - Lemonade
Fresh-squeezed lemon juice is blended with sugar and water to create a tangy lemonade.
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Fresco de Tamarindo - Tamarind Drink
A traditional beverage made from tamarind pulp, sugar and water.
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Frijoles Molidos - Fried Beans
Refried beans are a great accompaniment to any traditional Costa Rican meal.
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Frito - Pork Stew
A traditional pork stew served with white rice, guinea plantains, or green plantain.
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Gallo Pinto - Rice and Beans
Gallo Pinto (spotted rooster) is a traditional dish of mixed rice and beans found on nearly every breakfast plate at ...
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Garbanzos - Pork Garbanzo Beans
Hearty garbanzo beans simmered with lean pork, vegetables and herbs.
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Guacamole - Avocado Dip with Cilantro
A healthy dip made with fresh avocado, lime juice and cilantro.
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Higado en Salsa - Beef Liver in Sauce
A savory dish of beef liver sauteed with onion, bell pepper and garlic.
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Horchata - Ground Rice & Cinnamon Drink
A delicious, sweet beverage of soaked rice, condensed milk, cinnamon and clove.
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Lengua en Salsa - Beef Tongue in Sauce
Slow-simmered dish beef tongue cooked with a variety of savory spices and herbs.
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Lomo de Res - Beef Loin
Beef loin seasoned, marinated and baked in tender, juicy foil packages.
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Masamorra - Corn Pudding
Fresh corn baked with brown sugar, cinnamon and cloves.
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Miel de Chiverre - Honeyed White Spaghetti Squash
A sweet, very traditional dessert usually enjoyed during the Easter holidays.
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Miel de Tapa de Dulce - Cane Sugar Candy
A solid candy made from unrefined, naturally evaporated sugar cane.
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Mondongo - Beef Stomach Soup
This traditional dish of beef stomach, spices, onions and tomatoes in a tasty, savory stew.
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Mus de Pejibaye - Peach Palm Fruit Mousse
Peach palm fruit is pureed and blended with cream cheese to create this silky mousse.
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Norwegian Ceviche
A Norwegian twist on Costa Rica's traditional popular lime-marinated seafood dish.
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Olla de Carne - Costa Rican Beef Stew
A traditional and hearty beef stew fortified with taro root, potatoes and sweet potatoes.
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Pan Bon - Traditional Caribbean Bread
A sweet bread common to Costa Rica's Caribbean region.
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Pan de Elote - Corn Bread
Costa Rican cornbread combines fresh corn kernels, buttermilk and butter.
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Pan Frances - Costa Rican-Style French Bread
Fluffy, French-style baguette baked with local ingredients.
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Papas con Chorizo - Potatoes with Chorizo Sausage
Savory sausage pan fried with cubed potatoes and spices.
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Patacones - Fried Green Plantains
Small, fried plantain rounds perfect for serving with refried beans or fish ceviche.
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Pejibayes - Peach Palm Fruits
Thick and fibrous peach palm tree fruits that are delicious eaten alone or with mayonnaise.
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Picadillo de Arracache - Minced Arracacha
Ground beef and arracacha sauteed with savory herbs and served with soft tortillas.
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Picadillo de Chayote - Minced Vegetable Pear
Tender vegetable pear is sauteed with milk, butter, peppers and onions in this tasty dish.
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Picadillo de Chayote con Elote - Minced Vegetable Pear and Corn
A combination of minced vegetable pears and fresh corn are a traditional side dish.
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Picadillo de Papaya Verde - Minced Green Papaya
Green papaya, thin-sliced beef, and potatoes the basis for this filling, savory dish.
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Picadillo de Platano Verde - Minced Green Plantain
Green plantains are boiled, chopped and sauteed with onions, bell peppers, garlic and herbs.
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Picadillo de Platano Verde con Atun - Tuna with Minced Green Plantain
This typical dish of sauteed plantains and tuna is a common side dish as Costa Rican tables.
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Picadillo de Platano Verde con Carne - Ground Beef with Minced Green Plantain
A side dish of minced green plantains, ground beef and a selection of vegetables and herbs.
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Picadillo de Vainicas - Minced String Beans with Beef
Fresh string beans and lean ground beef are a delicious combination for this side dish.
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Pinolillo - Corn Cocoa Drink
A cool, refreshing beverage created from a toasted corn kernels and cocoa powder.
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Platanos Asados - Baked Plantains
Fresh, ripe plantains covered with sour cream and cheese and baked soft in the oven.
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Platanos Maduros - Fried Plantains
Ripe plantains pan fried to a crispy golden brown.
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Pollo en Salsa - Chicken in Tomato Sauce
Golden chicken breast fried brown and simmered in a fresh tomato sauce.
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Pozol - Pozole
Pork, onions, bell peppers and beef stock create a meal usually served with green plantains.
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Prestinos - Sweet Crepes
Sweet crepes pan fried and embellished with local honey or sugar cane honey.
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Queque Seco - Costa Rican Pound Cake
A Costa Rican pound cake that is lighter and drier than its North American counterpart.
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Queque Seco de Naranja - Orange Pound Cake
An orange-infused pound cake that is lighter and drier than most American pound cakes.
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Quick Gallo Pinto - Quick Rice and Beans
A fast, weeknight version of Costa Rica's famous rice and bean dish.
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Resbaladera - Barley and Rice Drink
A sweet beverage that combines barley, rice, milk and spices.
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Rice and Beans
Not to be confused with the gallo pinto recipe, Rice n' Beans is a traditional Caribbean dish that may share the main ...
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Rompope - Costa Rican Eggnog
A thick eggnog made of eggs, evaporated milk, and coconut makes a popular Christmas drink.
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Sopa de Albondigas - Meatball Soup
A savory homemade meatball soup that highlights fresh ingredients and lean ground beef.
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Sopa de Leche - Milk and Tortilla Soup
A simple milk soup served with tortillas.
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Sopa de Pescado - Fish Soup
This homemade soup brings out the flavors of the day's freshest fish catch.
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Sopa Negra - Bean Soup
Black, red or pinto beans are stewed with fresh vegetables to create this hearty soup.
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Suspiros - Meringues
Puffy, sweet meringue cookies popular at Christmas and on special occasions.
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Torta Chilena - Chilean Pastry
Sweet dough baked in the oven, filled with dulce de leche, and sprinkled with powdered sugar.
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Tortillas
A delicious and easy recipe for traditional corn tortillas, which can be prepared in less than 30 minutes.
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Tres Leches - Three Milk Cake
A traditional three milk cake, ideal for special occasions.
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Vigoron - Yucca, Pork and Cabbage Salad
A popular dish comprised of fresh yucca, pork chicharrones and cabbage.
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