Expats in Costa Rica: Eat, Pray, Love to Eat

June, 2015.

At last!

We are here in Costa Rica, land of the coffee, home of the gallo pinto!

Gallo pinto translates loosely to "spotted rooster," and is the national dish.  It's mostly beans and rice, and it's served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  (Not sure what the rooster has to do with it.)

I'm no stranger to rice and beans. As a single mom and vegetarian for many years, beans and rice was a staple in our home.  Just … not necessarily the tastiest one.  But, ok.  If this is what's for breakfast, I'll … adapt.   The research I'd done into Costa Rica said the food was bland, boring, and repetitive… so, ok, whatever.  If it's beans and rice for breakfast, I'll just … buckle down and eat it.

Husband and I were hungry and wandered into a tiny soda - a small, mom-and-pop restaurant where food is prepared from scratch.  There was no ham, bacon, or biscuits and gravy on the menu.  Everything was a variation of gallo pinto.  His came with eggs; mine with cheese - plus toast, plantains, and coffee.

Dude.

Gallo pinto is DELICIOUS!

HOW COME NOBODY SAID SO?!  Expat food bloggers???  I don't know why gallo pinto is so scrumptious, but now I'm on a mission to find out.*

The servings were huge but the price was not.  We got two full breakfasts, the best coffee I've ever had, and the satisfaction of doing business with real people instead of a corporation.  Total cost: less than 8 dollars, and that's with the tip.

You heard me.  LESS THAN 8 DOLLARS TOTAL, WITH THE TIP.

And we were full ALL DAY.

Cue the choir!  Let the church say, "Amen!"

And somebody please give me the secret of gallo pinto***!

*UPDATE: The secret is lard.  Beans and rice are prepared normally, and then sort of stir-fried in a light coating of lard, until the edges become a little bit crispy.  The Lard cooks in mysterious ways.

** UPDATED UPDATE: The secret is also Salsa Lizano, also known as my new favorite beverage.