Costa Rican Appetizers: Delicious Recipes To Try

April 16, 2023 Post a Comment

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Traditional Appetizers HANDS ON Cooking Class Costa Rica Cooking from www.costaricacooking.com

If you're looking for some exciting and flavorful appetizers to add to your party menu, look no further than Costa Rican cuisine. The country's cuisine features a variety of fresh and exotic ingredients that create unique and delicious dishes. In this article, we'll explore some of the best Costa Rican appetizers, including their preparation time, cook time, ingredients, equipment, method, notes, nutrition info, and recipe tips.

Gallo Pinto

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 small red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Equipment:
- Large skillet
Method:
1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the onion, red bell pepper, and garlic and cook until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the black beans and cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
4. Add the cooked rice, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper, and stir until everything is combined and heated through.
5. Serve hot. Notes:
Gallo Pinto is a traditional Costa Rican dish and is often served for breakfast, but it can also be a great appetizer. You can also add some chopped cilantro for extra flavor. Nutrition Info:
- Calories: 250
- Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Protein: 8g
Recipe Tips:
- Use leftover rice for this recipe, as it tends to be drier and works best.
- You can also add some diced tomatoes and hot sauce for extra flavor.

Chifrijo

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup cooked pork, diced
- 1/2 cup chicharrones (pork cracklings)
- 1/4 cup pico de gallo
- 1/4 cup guacamole
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
Equipment:
- Large skillet
Method:
1. Heat the black beans in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the cooked pork and chicharrones and cook for 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through.
3. In a separate bowl, mix together the cooked rice, pico de gallo, guacamole, and sour cream.
4. To assemble, spoon the bean and pork mixture onto a plate and top with the rice mixture.
5. Serve hot. Notes:
Chifrijo is a popular Costa Rican dish and is often served as an appetizer or a snack. You can also add some shredded cheese for extra flavor. Nutrition Info:
- Calories: 350
- Fat: 16g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Protein: 14g
Recipe Tips:
- If you can't find chicharrones, you can substitute with bacon or omit it altogether.
- You can also use ground beef instead of pork.

Ceviche

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 cup lime juice
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1 small red onion, chopped
- 1 small red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 small jalapeno, seeded and minced
- 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
- Salt and pepper to taste
Equipment:
- Glass bowl
Method:
1. In a large glass bowl, combine the shrimp, lime juice, and orange juice.
2. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through.
3. Add the chopped red onion, red bell pepper, jalapeno, and cilantro to the shrimp mixture.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve cold. Notes:
Ceviche is a popular appetizer in Costa Rica and throughout Central and South America. You can also add some diced avocado for extra flavor. Nutrition Info:
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Protein: 25g
Recipe Tips:
- Make sure to use fresh shrimp for this recipe.
- You can also use other types of seafood, such as fish or scallops.

Tostones

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 green plantains, peeled and sliced into rounds
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- Salt to taste
Equipment:
- Large skillet
Method:
1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the plantain rounds and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they are golden brown.
3. Remove the plantains from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain the excess oil.
4. Using a tostonera or the bottom of a flat-bottomed cup, flatten each plantain round to about 1/4 inch thick.
5. Return the flattened rounds to the skillet and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes on each side until they are crispy and brown.
6. Season with salt to taste.
7. Serve hot. Notes:
Tostones are a popular appetizer in Costa Rica and throughout Latin America. You can also season them with garlic or other spices. Nutrition Info:
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Protein: 1g
Recipe Tips:
- Make sure to use green plantains for this recipe, as they are firmer and work best.
- You can also top the tostones with some shredded cheese or salsa.

Conclusion

Costa Rican cuisine is full of delicious and unique flavors, and their appetizers are no exception. Whether you're hosting a party or just looking for some new recipes to try, these Costa Rican appetizers are sure to impress. With their fresh ingredients and simple preparation, they're perfect for any occasion. So why not add some Costa Rican flair to your next party menu and give these appetizers a try?