Costa Rican Delight

Embark on a flavorful journey to Central America with this vibrant Costa Rican Delight recipe—a wholesome, plant-based dish that’s as comforting as it is colorful. This recipe features fluffy long-grain white rice topped with a savory medley of black beans, sautéed onions, red bell peppers, and fragrant garlic, all seasoned with earthy cumin and smoky paprika for a burst of flavor. Sweet, golden fried plantains add a deliciously caramelized touch, while fresh cilantro and zesty lime wedges tie it all together for a refreshing finish. Easily prepared in under an hour, this dish is perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing side for gatherings. With its focus on fresh, simple ingredients and authentic Costa Rican flavors, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 cups water
• 1 can black beans
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 1 large red bell pepper
• 2 whole garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoons paprika
• 2 whole cooked plantains
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
• 1 whole lime
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the rice, cover, and lower the heat to a simmer. Cook for about 15-18 minutes or until the rice is fully cooked. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.

Step 2

While the rice is cooking, finely chop the yellow onion and red bell pepper, and mince the garlic cloves.

Step 3

Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes or until the vegetables are softened.

Step 4

Drain and rinse the black beans. Add the beans to the skillet along with ground cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine and cook for another 5-7 minutes until heated through.

Step 5

Slice the cooked plantains into diagonal pieces if they are not already prepared. Heat a small amount of oil over medium-high heat in a separate skillet and lightly fry the plantains until golden brown on both sides. Set aside.

Step 6

Chop the fresh cilantro and cut the lime into wedges for serving.

Step 7

To serve, divide the cooked rice onto four plates. Top each portion with the black bean and vegetable mixture. Add a side of fried plantains, sprinkle with cilantro, and serve with lime wedges on the side.

Step 8

Enjoy your Costa Rican Delight while it's warm and fresh!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1859.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1446.9

Total Fat 32.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 16.8g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3643.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 273.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 39.8g	0%
Total Sugars 73.7g
Protein 36.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 343.5mg	0%
Iron 14.0mg	0%
Potassium 2755.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 19.2%

Protein: 9.5%

Carbs: 71.3%