When travelling through Costa Rica, one thing you’re quick to discover out on the streets is the abundance of sodas. No, not fizzy soft drinks in cans and bottles – I’m talking about small, family-run eateries that sit on the side of the road; generally with undercover seating – or even holes-in-the-wall in market buildings.
This is where you see taxi drivers, local workers and residents getting their fill on honest, homestyle cooking.
Many of the sodas have their own specialties. Stuff for breakfast, slow-cooked meaty stews, deep-fried goodies, gallo pinto (rice & beans), you name it. And it’s all so cheap!
One of the typical breakfast dishes you can pick up at a soda is chorreadas – pancakes made from ground fresh corn – simply served with natilla, which is a type of sour cream, a cup of coffee or glass of milk.
The more modern variations make them similar to regular Western-style pancakes with eggs and flour – using a food processor or blender rather than laboriously grinding the corn with a mincer.
I’ve gone with the modern method with mine, also studding the batter with slices of fresh banana for a little more natural sweetness. You could drown the chorreadas with maple syrup or honey, but to be honest, there’s actually enough sweetness in there thanks to the corn.
Give them a go!
Recipe adapted from here
Course | Breakfast/Brunch |
Cuisine | Costa Rican |
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Ingredients
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