Casado is a traditional Costa Rican recipe for a meal with rice, black beans, plantains, salad, a tortilla, and an optional protein source such as chicken, beef, pork, fish that is considered one of the national dishes of Costa Rica. The full recipe is presented here and I hope you enjoy this classic Costa Rican version of: Casado.
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Casado (Spanish: married [dish, platillo) is a Costa Rican meal with rice, black beans, plantains, salad, a tortilla, and an optional protein source such as chicken, beef, pork, fish, and so on. The term may have originated when restaurant customers asked to be treated as casados, since married men ate such meals at home. Another theory is that the rice and beans and/or the grouping of dishes are married, since they are always together.
Ingredients:
For the Rice and Beans:
200g white rice
175g cooked black or red beans (canned or freshly prepared)
1 garlic clove, minced
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 tbsp vegetable oil
Salt to taste
For the Meat:
4 pieces of chicken, fish fillets, or beef steaks
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
Salt and freshly-ground black pepper to taste
For the Sweet Plantains:
2 ripe plantains (yellow with black spots)
Vegetable oil for frying
For the Salad:
50g lettuce, shredded
1 tomato, diced
1 cucumber, sliced
1 carrot, grated
Juice of 1 lime
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and freshly-ground black pepper to taste
Optional Additions:
Tortillas or Costa Rican queso fresco Salsa Lizano (for authentic Costa Rican flavor)
Method:
Prepare the Rice and Beans: Heat the vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion, frying until fragrant.
Add the rice and stir to coat with the oil mixture.
Add 500ml of water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender (about 15 minutes).
Heat the cooked beans separately in a small pan with a bit of their cooking liquid or water. Season with salt if needed.
Cook the Meat: Season the chicken, fish, or beef with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Grill, pan-fry, or bake the meat until fully cooked and golden brown.
Fry the Plantains: Peel and slice the ripe plantains diagonally into 3cm pieces. Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Fry the plantain slices until golden brown and caramelized on both sides. Remove and set on paper towels to drain excess oil.
Prepare the Salad: Combine the lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and carrot in a large bowl. Drizzle with lime juice and olive oil. Toss and season with salt and pepper.
To Assemble the Casado: On each plate, serve a scoop of rice and beans side by side. Add the cooked meat of your choice. Arrange the fried plantains and fresh salad on the plate.
Serve accompanied with with tortillas, queso fresco, or Salsa Lizano for added authenticity.
Use Salsa Lizano, a Costa Rican staple, to drizzle over the rice and beans or as a dip for the protein.
Pair your Casado with a fresh fruit juice, such as refresco de cas (sour guava), for a truly Costa Rican experience.
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