Gallo Pinto (Costa Rican Rice and Beans)

Costa Rica''s national breakfast — rice and black beans fried together with Salsa Lizano.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked white rice (day-old is best)
• 1 can black beans, with some liquid
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp Salsa Lizano (or Worcestershire sauce)
• 2 tbsp cilantro
• Oil, salt

Method

1. Sauté onion and pepper 3 min. Add garlic, 30 sec.

2. Add beans with some liquid. Cook 3 min, mashing a few beans.

3. Add rice. Toss and fry 3 min until rice absorbs the bean liquid and gets slightly crispy.

4. Add Salsa Lizano. Toss. Garnish with cilantro.

5. Serve with fried eggs, fried plantains, and sour cream.

What You're Practicing

• Salsa Lizano is Costa Rica''s national condiment — slightly sweet, tangy, and savory. Worcestershire is the closest substitute.
• Day-old rice works best (same principle as fried rice — less moisture = better texture).