Gallo pinto is a rice-and-bean dish made with onions, bell peppers, cilantro and, most importantly, Lizano sauce. If I had to describe Lizano sauce, I'd say it's a mix of A1 sauce and lime. For almost every classic Costa Rican dish, you’ll need Lizano sauce. Gallo pinto is usually served with eggs, fruit and fried plantain. Sometimes it's also served with a slice of bread or fresh or fried cheese. My host mom usually serves it with a slice of bread.
A casado is another rice-and-bean dish, but the rice and beans are served separately. On your plate, you will have a serving of rice, beans, a small salad, a fried plantain and your choice of meat or a vegetarian option.
On the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, you will find very similar dishes but prepared differently. For example, on the Caribbean side, gallo pinto is simply called rice and beans. What makes rice and beans different from gallo pinto? I'm glad you asked, because a common Caribbean theme is coconut. They prepare rice and beans with coconut milk instead of water, giving them a rich, creamy taste.
Costa Rica has a diet focused on the environment. With its rich biodiversity and ideal weather, it is possible to grow almost every type of fruit and vegetable. You will see fruits and vegetables incorporated into every meal. They also eat a lot of seafood since it is a small country surrounded by water. Rice and beans are available from local brands, but people often buy imported rice and beans because they are cheaper. When it comes to meat, Costa Rica has many cow farms, and locals consume a lot of meat.
