Gallo Pinto is a traditional breakfast in Costa Rica and I fell in love with it! Lately, I’ve been re-enacting it some, and have missed it so much. I first tried this on my yoga retreat in Costa Rica, where all the dishes were vegetarian based. What makes this meal so great for everybody is that it’s really not too far off from a ‘standard American breakfast’ either. It really can be a meal you can eat for breakfast, your toddler would eat, heck your dog will love it too (note I’m not suggesting to actually make this for your dog, although yes he would love it).
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED (to feed 3-4 servings)
2 Bell Pepper each sliced in half (red pepper is pictured here but I like orange and yellow too)
1/2 yellow onion diced
3 cloves of garlic
3/4 tsp cumin
4 cups cooked white or brown rice
1 15 oz can black beans (rinsed and drained)
1/2 cup cilantro (chopped)
Pinch of salt and pinch of pepper
4 eggs (your choice, can be egg whites - and can be more based on hunger!)
2 Avocado’s sliced (or diced) - not pictured but highly recommended
WHITE CHEESE SLICES
Option garnish: lime wedges, chopped cilantro or parsley leaves, sliced or diced tomatoes
Always hot sauce if needed!
Optional: tortillas, sausage or plantains
HERE’S HOW YOU MAKE IT:
In a large non-stick skillet, heat oil (preferably coconut oil) over medium heat and sauté the bell pepper halves and onions until soft
I like when the bell pepper is kept out after (like pictured) - remove the pepper and keep on side to do the same
Add garlic and cumin and keep stirring
Add in rice and black beans and keep cooking, stirring when needed, until everything is heated through nicely
Stir in the 1/2 cup cilantro, and pinch your salt and pepper
Remove from the heat but still keep warm
Scramble up your eggs in another pan (you can fry them too - scrambled I feel goes a longer way)
Serve on a place a scoop of your rice/bean/spices, a half of bell pepper, and your eggs. The white cheese is GREAT on the pepper, and you can garnish your eggs with the avocado, lime wedges, cilantro/parsley, and tomatoes.
I highly recommend you try this dish - for breakfast, lunch or for dinner! It’s truly a meal everyone can love, and a lot of options to add additional items to it as well without losing it’s Costa Rican flair :)
Enjoy!