How to Prepare Gallo Pinto

Gallo pinto is a "comida típica" (traditional food) of Costa Rica and Nicaragua, a traditional rice and beans dish commonly served at breakfast, lunch and sometimes dinner. Preparation and the meal times for gallo pinto vary widely according to tradition and region. At breakfast it is often served with fried eggs or plain Costa Rican cheese. At other times, it may be a side dish to pork, chicken or fish. Literally, the name means "spotted rooster" in Spanish.

Ingredients

1 onion
Cilantro
Salt
Other spices as desired, typically cumin
Cooked black beans
Cooked white rice
Cooking oil

Steps

1
Heat cooking oil in a pan or pot on a medium setting
2
Add finely chopped onion; stir to soften (not to brown)
3
Add cooked beans; stir, allowing most, but not all, of the liquid to be absorbed or evaporated
4
Add salt or other spices as desired (see "Tips")
5
Add cooked rice (at a 3:2 or 2:1 rice-to-beans ratio) to the mixture; stir to mix ingredients well
6
Allow the flavors to be well-blended (the longer, the better)
7
Add cilantro garnish if desired on top when done
8
Finished.

Community Q&A

Question

How much of each ingredient do I need?

Community Answer

There really is no strict recipe. You can add as much of anything as you want to taste.
Question

Where can I find this same recipe in French?

Community Answer

Use the Google translator. It will help you a lot.

Warnings

The history of gallo pinto is widely disputed, and to avoid arguments it's best not to discuss whether the dish originally came from Costa Rica or Nicaragua.

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It's really hot after you cooked!

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