A most unfortunate name for bread and other stuff about Costa Rican food.

The cuisine of Costa Rica is generally described as bland and nothing to write home about. It's true that the spiciness of Mexican food, for example, is nowhere to be found here, but there are many other common, everyday foods that are delicious and cheap.

Ana, the breakfast hostess at our Apartotel, prepares homemade gallo pinto each morning, which is a delicious rice and bean mixture that is a staple of the Costa Rican breakfast. Latin American herbs and spices make Costa Rican food delicious and fresh. We are generally pleased to eat our meals where we live.

Here are some pictures of some of our recent purchases at the local grocery. First, pictured to the left, is "bread with a most unfortunate name." It is quite tasty, however, though it's hard to find it bakery fresh. To the right is the world famous Lizano product, black beans with Lizano Salsa. This is a stroke of genius. Squeezable refried beans are great on a chip, a tortilla, or gulp... right from the bag to the mouth. Wait, I'd never admit to doing that! :)

Lizano makes wonderful salsas, and squeezable refried black and red beans. Great stuff.

Finally, comes our kid's favorite, Chiky cookies, which come in little six-packs. We buy these things by the truckload, and kids and adults both enjoy snacking on these delicious little galletas.


Vickie and I love to cook, but due to our incredibly busy schedule, have found little time to spend in the kitchen. We have cooked arroz con pollo, taco salad, spaghetti with meat sauce, and little else.

In one way, I will be glad to come back home to the United States, shop for familiar foods, and cook our favorites together in the kitchen.

Since we have three suitcases that carried the books on the way down, but our now empty for the trip home, maybe we will fill them with Chikys and Frijoles Negro con Salsa Lizano! :)

Bill