My daughter and one of her girlfriends took a trip to Costa Rica and had a typical meal that is often served there. It inspired her to recreate it. Her Costa Rican dinner was a mix of Shrimp and Chicken with Mango served on a plate with Salsa and Beans. It was so good, I had to post it. Read about how Costa Rica is one of the world’s longevity hotspots here.
Enjoy my daughter’s Costa Rica dinner recipe!
- 1 medium tomato chopped
- ½ cup purple onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 Tbsp Cilantro fresh, chopped
- ½ mango peeled and chopped
- ½ tsp serrano pepper chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 juice of lime
- 1 - 1½ lbs chicken tenders skinned, with no bones
- 2-4 shrimps per person - cleaned and shelled with tails on (or get a package of frozen shrimp and thaw)
- Sliced Banana or Plantain if available
- vinegar of choice, to taste
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 can of black beans
- mixed salad greens with your favorite dressing
- ½ avocado sliced
- Mix the tomato, purple onion, garlic, cilantro, mango, serrano pepper, lime juice, salt, and pepper and set aside.
- Heat the butter in a skillet on the stove. Saute the chicken for a couple minutes until it is slightly browned. Turn over and saute until cooked through. (about 5-8 minutes total depending on the thickness of the chicken) Season with salt and pepper.
- When the chicken is almost done, add the shrimps to the skillet and cook, tossing occasionally for about 2-3 minutes until it is cooked through and slightly browned.
- Add the sliced bananas to the skillet and saute on each side until slightly browned. (keep warm)
- Cook the beans (see recipe above or just use canned black beans with seasonings)
- Boil the rice with 2 cups of water for 15 minutes (or follow package directions)
- Serve the meal with salad greens (with oil and vinegar), sliced avocado, chicken and shrimp, mango salsa, rice, beans, banana, lime slices.
Costa Rica Cuisine
The food in Costa Rica is known for its simplicity, as well as its reliance on tropical fruits and legumes. It’s unpretentious, healthy, and simple to prepare. Black beans are a staple.
On their trip, my daughter and her friend drove all over the island in a car, staying in several hotels, and even went white water rafting.
For more authentic recipes purchase the book, “Gallito Pinto: Traditional Recipes From Costa Rica”
Have you been to Costa Rica or would like to go? Please leave a comment below.
Leave a comment and tell us what you think