Costa Rican Food Recipes

COSTA RICAN ENYUCADOS

Steps:

• To peel the yucca, slice the root in half, then make a cut on the long edge. Peel back the outer skin. Alternatively, use a peeler to remove skin. Slice the yucca into 2-inch rounds.
• Put the yucca in a 3-quart stockpot. Add 1 teaspoon salt and cover with water, about 6 cups. Bring to a boil and simmer until the yucca is very tender, about 30 minutes.
• Drain excess water from the yucca, then mash until a puree is formed. Allow the puree to cool before forming the croquettes.
• Flatten about 1/2 cup (3 to 4 ounces) of yucca in your hands (you can use a bit of flour on your hands or food-safe gloves so the yucca doesn't stick). Place about 1 ounce of mozzarella in the middle and form the yucca around the cheese into a flat oval patty; set aside. Repeat with the remaining yucca and mozzarella.
• Pour about 1 inch of oil into a frying pan and heat over medium-high heat until bubbling. Carefully place half of the patties in the oil and fry, flipping about halfway through, until golden brown on the outside but still tender on the inside, about 5 minutes per side. Using tongs, remove the enyucados from the oil and allow excess oil to drain; sprinkle with salt. Place the enyucados on a plate covered with a paper towel to absorb additional oil. Repeat with the remaining patties.
• Serve with salsa rosada or your preferred dip, if desired.

COSTA RICAN MARINADE

Steps:

• Using a shallow non-metal dish or reasealable plastic bag add all the ingredients and mix together well.
• Up to 3 pounds of beef, chicken, or pork can be placed in the marinade and refrigerated for 8 hours but no longer than 24.
• Cover the dish or seal the plastic bag and turn meat occasionally.
• Grill meat to desired doneness and discard remaining marinade.

ARROZ CON POLLO (COSTA RICAN STYLE)

Steps:

• In a large pot with 2 litters of water on medium high; add the chicken breast, tomato cut in 1/4s, onion cut in 1/4s, bell pepper, celery, garlic, bouquet Garni, pepper corns, salt and the peeled carrot. Bring to a boil until the chicken is soft enough to be shredded.
• When ready, take the chicken out shredded with the help of 2 forks, cover and set aside.
• Strain stock through a fine mesh strainer into another large container discarding the solids and keep it! we will use it to make our rice.
• Let's work on the rice now, put all ingredients into a rice cooker.
• The olive oil, achiote paste, salt and the 3 cups of chicken stock. Remember to use the one from the chicken you just did!
• Stir the mixture and try to make sure the rice is evenly spread out. Press the "cook" button. You'll have delicious golden rice in about 45 minutes, depending on your rice cooker. When the rice cooker finishes and switches to "keep warm", wait 10 minutes. Then open the lid and fluff the rice.
• Mean while we are going to work on the veggies.
• Let's cut the carrot in brunoise and the green beans in rondelle. Add them into a medium pot with 2 cups of the chicken stock left and 2 cups of water let it boil until they are soft. Let's say till they are al dente, add the corn stir and drain. Set aside.
• Now that we have all the ingredients ready, let's put it all together.
• In a clean large non-stick pot in medium high temperature, add the olive oil, melt the butter and add the bell pepper, the onion and garlic finely chopped, sauté for 3 minutes, add the veggies we have soften and have ready, sauté 2 more minutes, let's get the shredded chicken and add it to it, add the cumin, paprika, curry and Worcestershire sauce.
• Get all ingredients combine then add the rice little by little, gently mix ingredients with rice by using a big spoon until it is uniform rice, veggies and chicken. Try and add salt if necessary.
• Serve with a green salad or some french fries. Enjoy.