Casado Costarricense (Complete Lunch Plate)

  • Total time - 40 minutes
  • Active preparation - 40 minutes
  • Note - Time assumes rice and beans are already cooked.
  • Servings: 2
  • Country: Costa Rica
A complete Casado plate with beef in sauce, rice, black beans, fried plátanos maduros, vegetable salad, and a tortilla.

Casado does not have a single strict recipe. To create the perfect Casado, you need several separate but simple components. The most important factor is the variability and contrast of flavors and textures.

On this plate, the 'Rice' and 'Beans' components are usually served separately, unlike Gallo Pinto (which is served for breakfast). However, it is common for Gallo Pinto to also be served as a side dish if it's a large serving.

Ingredients

I. Basic Components (Fixed)

  • 1.5 cups (cooked) White rice
  • 1 cup (cooked, often with a little broth/juice) Black beans
  • 2 pcs Plátanos Maduros (ripe plantains), fried
  • 1 serving Simple salad (e.g., cabbage and tomato with lime juice)

II. Protein (Choose one)

  • 180 g Grilled Chicken breast or thighs (Pollo a la Plancha)
  • 180 g Beef stewed in sauce (Carne en Salsa)
  • 1 fillet Fried fish (e.g., Tilapia)
  • 100 g Fried cheese (Vegetarian version)

III. Optional Add-ons (Add at least 1-2)

  • 1 pc Fried egg (Huevo Frito)
  • 0.25 cups Pico de Gallo (fresh tomato salsa)
  • 0.25 cups Potato Salad (Pasta Salad/Potato Salad)
  • 1 slice Avocado slice
  • 1 pc Corn tortilla (Handmade Tortilla)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Rice and Beans

Ensure you have cooked white rice and black beans (leave the beans in a minimal amount of their broth to keep them moist and warm).

Step 2: Prepare the Protein

Prepare the selected protein. For example: Marinate chicken breasts in lime juice, garlic, salt, and black pepper, then grill or pan-fry them. If making beef in sauce, stew it slowly with vegetables and spices.

Step 3: Prepare the Plantains

Peel the ripe plantains (the skin should be almost black) and cut them into oblique pieces. Fry them in hot oil until they are golden brown and caramelized (Plátanos Maduros). Remove and drain on a paper towel.

Step 4: Prepare the Add-ons

Prepare a simple salad: slice cabbage or lettuce, tomato, and drizzle with lime juice and a pinch of salt.

Prepare optional add-ons (e.g., make a fried egg, potato salad, or slice Pico de Gallo).

Step 5: Assemble the Casado Plate

On a large plate, place all the hot and cold components separately so that they touch but do not form a mixture (rice, beans, protein, plátanos maduros, salad, and optional add-ons).

Serve immediately to maintain the contrast of warm and cold elements.