Back To Banana Republic

It's been already 6 months since my trip to Costa Rica and Panama.
On Saturday I woke up with slight hangover and big craving for Gallo Pinto, Costa Rica's national dish.
It is a mixture of black beans and rice and it means 'spotted rooster' but vegetarians do not fret, there is no poultry in it.
I decided to make it just as i remembered eating it, as during our stay in Costa Rica i never really had the chance to cook it, simply because it was everywhere!
But it is so easy to prepare and tasty, it worked out alright in the end and everyone asked for a refill.

Here is what you need:
300g plain white rice
300g organic black beans (tinned is good -keep the juice!)
a couple of garlic cloves
a couple of green long peppers
2 medium onions
coriander
olive oil
sour cream or yogurt
Brown HP sauce (its hard to find Lizano Sauce in London)

Boil the rice in a saucepan and keep warm. This should take no more than 25 minutes.

At the same time in a different saucepan hit up the oil and add the chopped onions, garlic, peppers and coriander. Simmer till they look transparent.
Add the two tins of black beans and their water and gently simmer again. Season with salt and pepper.
Now add the rice and two tablespoons of the brown sauce and after about a minute remove from the heat. Add more fresh coriander on top to serve and put the crème fraîche or yogurt to the side.
In Costa Rica they serve it with scrambled eggs or fried plantain, which is a recommended option.

The moment I tried it I was magically overlooking the ocean on the pacific side of one of the most beautiful places in the world.
I m not kidding !