Rice and Beans (Costa Rican Caribbean Style)
In short: Caribbean-style Costa Rican rice and red beans cooked in coconut milk with thyme, garlic, ginger and a whole Scotch bonnet chile. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 395 kcal
On Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, around Limón and Cahuita, rice and beans means something different from the gallo pinto of the interior. The red beans are cooked in coconut milk with the rice, along with thyme, garlic, ginger and a whole Scotch bonnet chile that perfumes the pot without burning it. The result is rich, fragrant and slightly sweet, and it goes with stewed chicken, fried fish or coconut seafood stews.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a medium heavy pot over medium heat. Cook the onion for 4 minutes, then add the garlic, ginger and thyme and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the beans with their liquid, the coconut milk, water, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and set the whole chile on top.
- Stir in the rice and return to a boil. Reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover tightly and cook for 18 to 20 minutes, until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Do not lift the lid during the first 15 minutes.
- Take the pot off the heat. Lift out the chile without breaking it, then rest the rice, covered, for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and adjust the salt.
Tips
- Keep the chile whole, because if it bursts the rice becomes fiery. Prick it once with a knife if you want more heat.
- With dried beans, soak 100 g (1/2 cup) overnight and drain. Boil them hard for 10 minutes, then simmer for 60 to 75 minutes until tender. Use 250 ml (1 cup) of the cooking liquid in place of the canned liquid and water.
Questions and answers
How is Caribbean rice and beans different from gallo pinto?
It is cooked in coconut milk with thyme and ginger, uses red beans and comes out creamy and fragrant. Gallo pinto is stir-fried from cooked rice and black beans.
Can I freeze Caribbean rice and beans?
Yes, for up to 3 months. Reheat with a splash of water in a covered pan or in the microwave.
Is Costa Rican Caribbean rice and beans spicy?
Not when the chile stays whole. It gives a fruity aroma and only a trace of heat.
How long does it take to make Rice and Beans (Costa Rican Caribbean Style)?
About 45 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 35 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Rice and Beans (Costa Rican Caribbean Style)?
About 395 kcal per serving, with 9 g of protein, 54 g of carbohydrates and 16 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 395 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 9 g |
| Carbohydrates | 54 g |
| Fat | 16 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 480 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
