World cooking: Costa Rica; Casado & prestinos

black beans

🥗Healthier: lentils

💰Cheaper: pinto beans

Lentils are high in protein and cook faster.

plantains

🥗Healthier: sweet potatoes

💰Cheaper: bananas

Sweet potatoes offer similar sweetness and texture.

meat (chicken, beef, or fish)

🥗Healthier: tofu

💰Cheaper: canned tuna

Tofu is plant-based and lower in calories.

salsa

🥗Healthier: fresh pico de gallo

💰Cheaper: store-bought salsa

Pico de gallo uses fresh ingredients with less sodium.

Start by preparing the Casado, which is a traditional Costa Rican dish.

Coat the pork in seasoned flour with chili pepper and garlic.

Fry the pork in oil until cooked through.

In a separate pan, cook down onions and garlic.

Add chopped bell pepper to the pan with onions and garlic.

Stir in cooked black beans from a can and rice into the mixture.

Add Worcestershire sauce to the rice and beans mixture.

Prepare pico de gallo by blending tomatoes, cilantro, onions, and lemon juice until foamy.

Fry the plantains after boiling them slightly until they are cooked.

Prepare a small side salad with leaves, tomato, and cucumber.

Fry an egg to serve on the side with the Casado.

Assemble the dish by plating the pork, gallo pinto, fried plantains, pico de gallo, salad, and fried egg.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens