Gallo Pinto
By: Steven Walling
Published: Thursday, December 10, 2009 - 5:42pm

Ingredients




1 Onion
Diced Green or Red Pepper
Fresh or Frozen Cilantro
Other spices as desired, typically cumin.
Cooked Red Beans or Black Beans 
White Rice

Preparation

1 Heat cooking oil to medium heat in a pan. 2 Add finely chopped onion and the diced pepper, stirring to soften while taking care not to brown it. 3 Add the cooked beans, simmer until most or all of the liquid from the beans has evaporated. 4 Salt and spice as desired. 5 Add cooked rice (at a 3:2 or 2:1 rice-to-beans ratio). 6 Cook for a short time until ingredients and flavors are well-blended and rice has changed color. 7 Add cilantro or Salsa Lizano before serving.

About


Gallo Pinto is a traditional rice and beans dish of Costa Rica and Nicaragua. It is most commonly served at breakfast, with an egg or side of fresh, plain Costa Rican cheese. It may also be served with sides such as fried Plantains, chicken, or pork for lunch or dinner.
Very similar to other Carribean and Central/South American dishes, the exact origin of the dish is contested. Whatever the case, it is a delicious staple food that is filling, if not particularly exotic.