Watch the video on how to make Gallo Pinto from the LifeLink kitchen in Nicaragua! Click Here For The Video!

Gallo Pinto – Traditional Nicaraguan Dish

Ingredients:
Serves 4

2 cups of cooked white rice (16oz) * (approx. one cup of uncooked rice yields 3 cups of cooked rice -see below for Nica rice recipe)
1 cups of cooked red beans, (8 oz)(or 1 15oz cans of red beans)
1 small onion
1 small green pepper (if using US size in supermarkets – ½)
1/3 cup oil

Instructions:
1. Finely chop the onion and green pepper.
2. Cook them in a pan until done.
3. After they are done, put the beans into the pan with the onion and green pepper.
4. Fry together in the pan until the flavors are well-mixed.
5. Begin to stir in the rice.
6. Mix everything together very well until you see a uniform red color throughout the mixture.
7. Enjoy con gusto (with pleasure)!

These portions are for 4 servings. You may make smaller or larger amounts, as long as you keep the portions the same. Portions are 2 parts rice to 1 part beans Interesting fact: on the eastern coast of Nicaragua, gallo pinto is made with coconut milk. Also, you may choose fried eggs and/or cheese to go along with your gallo pinto.

*You can use minute rice but if you want to prepare the rice Nicaraguan style simply follow the recipe below:

For the rice: Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add 2/3 of an onion and ½ of a bell pepper and cook, stirring, until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add rice and cook, stirring, until grains are shiny and evenly coated with oil, 2 to 3 minutes. Add water and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, increase heat to high, and bring to a boil.
Boil rice without stirring until most of the liquid has evaporated and you can see small bubbles bursting on the surface of the rice. Immediately reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover, and cook (do not stir, do not remove lid) for 15 minutes. Fluff rice with fork, then let cool and refrigerate for 1 day if using for gallo pinto.

Tips: It is better to cook the rice the day before you make Gallo Pinto

Chilero Relish (as seen in video)
Finely diced green peppers, onions, carrots and chili peppers (use can use red chilis or jalapeno peppers to desired taste) Put all ingredients in a plastic container with lid and add 1 cup of white vinegar. Replace the top and shake well, put in the refrigerator and let sit for one day. If you want to prepare like a true a Nica, let sit in the sun for one day then add to refrigerator.