This page is going to consist of 4 recipes:
Carne en Salsa
Caribbean Rice and Beans
Fried Plantain
Flor de Jamaica
Before we get started, just know I don't measure anything. The measurements I've included are what I eyeball when putting in. Do with that, what you will!
Carne en Salsa
Ingredients:
2-3 pounds of beef pieces
1-2 bell peppers
1 medium onion
1 bunch of cilantro
2 large tomatoes
1 head of garlic
6 Tbs Lizano (worcestershire sauce can be a substitute)
3 Tbs Soy sauce- use tamari if gluten free
1 packet beef bouillon
Ketchup
Sugar
Salt
3-6 cups of drinkable water
Directions:
1) Chop up half of the cilantro and garlic into fine pieces.
2) Chop the onion and bell pepper(s) roughly, into large pieces
3) Add all the chopped veggies to the instapot, along with the beef pieces. Add 3 Tbs of Lizano, 2 Tbs of soy sauce, beef bouillon, salt to your liking, and top it off with basically as much water as your Instapot can hold up to the fill line.
4) Cook on high pressure for 25 minutes. If you can wait to do a natural reasease, I suggest waiting 45mins -1hr before taking the lid off, to avoid a big mess :)
5) Once you have the lid off, remove all the pieces of meat into a medium to large pot. If you have some veggies in there too, that's okay, but get as much meat out as you can.
6) Separate the veggies and broth that are left, using a fine mesh strainer. I recommend saving the broth in a large glass container, and using it for other dishes. It is a very rich, flavorful broth. Regardless of what you do, save at least 2 cups of broth on the side.
7) Add the separated mushed veggies to a blender.
8) Roughly chop the other half of the cilantro and garlic, as well as the two tomatoes. Add these to the blender.
9) Add 3 Tbs Lizano, 4 Tbs ketchup, 1 Tbs sugar and 2 cups of the homemade beef broth. Blend.
10) Add the blended mixture to the meat in the pot. Simmer on medium low to 30 minutes.
11) Serve with rice and beans. Bon appetit!
Costa Rican Rice and Beans
Ingredients:
Rice of your choice (I use brown)
A few sprigs of fresh thyme
Coconut milk
Panamania pepper (can substitute habanero pepper)
Salt and Pepper
Large can of red beans
Directions:
1) Decide on amount of rice you'd like to cook. I prep for a few meals, and like to use one cup of rice.
2) Add 1 cup of rice, 1 cup of filtered water, 1 cup of coconut milk, a few full sprigs of time, 1 whole panamania pepper (don't chop or open) and salt & pepper, to a rice cooker.
3) Cook rice. Enjoy the smell!
4) Mix in can of beans, mostly drained. I leave some liquid in. Serve with Carne en Salsa. YUM!
Fried Plantain
Ingredients:
Ripe plantain- will have a lot of black and a little bit of yellow
Olive oil, coconut oil or unsalted butter, I prefer they way they cook and taste with an oil
Salt
Optional! Add some cinnamon to SPICE up this sweet treat
Directions:
1) Melt butter in frying pan over medium-low heat. Add salt and cinnamon if using
2) Chop plantain into diagonal slices, about 1/2 inch thick.
3) Fry in butter until dark brown or slightly black. Flip once. Don't worry if you think you burnt them, the sugars will just be extra caramelized and yummy!
4) Serve with a Costa Rican meal, or just as a yummy treat!
Flor De Jamaica
Ingredients:
Hibiscus tea or flowers
Ginger
Raw sugar or honey
Filtered water
Directions:
1) Boil a large pot of water
2) Chop about half a cup of ginger. It doesn't need to be finely chopped or even peeled. Add it to the boiling water
3) Boil for 15-20 minutes
4) Add tea. I add 3 bags for a large pot
5) Add sugar to taste. I only add a few tablespoons. Traditionally, people usually add A LOT
6) Let it cool, refrigerate and enjoy with your favorite Costa Rican meal, or as a midday refresher
LET ME KNOW!!!
If you end up making any of these meals, please let me know! I would love to add them to this page <3
Happy cooking!!! PURA VIDA :)