Feb 17, 2019
4 Traditional Costa Rican Dishes You Must Try Upstairs

I may be a bit biased (but I doubt it!) because I adore everything about Costa Rica, but the traditional cuisine of this incredible little country is definitely one of the many reasons you should visit. Staples in the Costa Rica diet include rice, beans, corn tortillas, queso fresco, plantains, papaya, bananas, various types of squash, locally-caught seafood, and free-range chicken and meat.

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Food to fuel your adventures

If you want to experience the best local cuisine, you can find it at nearly any soda. A soda is a restaurant, typically family-owned and operated that serves traditional Costa Rican food. These small restaurants are very budget-friendly! Every town in Costa Rica has at least one soda. In Huacas, you will find multiple sodas, including Soda Guanacaste. If you make it to Villa Real, the town before you turn in to go to Tamarindo, Soda Las Palmas is a must!

Eating a soda is a great way to have an authentic cultural experience while you are visiting Costa Rica. If you don’t feel like venturing out of Playa Grande though, you can enjoy some local favorites around town. Upstairs at the RipJack Inn, our menu features several of those must-try dishes.

Gallo Pinto

Gallo pinto is synonymous with Costa Rica! A perfectly married blend of rice, bean, cilantro, onions, pepper, and other spices is a breakfast basic. At the RipJack Inn, the gallo pinto is made with brown rice and is served in some breakfast and lunch dishes including the grilled breakfast wrap, desayuno tipico, and veggie hummus wrap.

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Gallo pinto is a must-eat!

Patacones

Patacones are a favorite local snack. Green plantains are cut, fried, pressed into a disc-shape, and fried again. They are typically accompanied by refried beans and salsa fresca. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like patacones!

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The perfect afternoon snack

Ceviche

You can’t go to the coast and not enjoy some ceviche! While ceviche is not a dish exclusively found in Costa Rica, it is one that is done well here. The basics of a ceviche include fresh fish, a lot of limes, cilantro, some veggies like chile dulce, salt, other seasonings, and often a good splash of ginger ale.

This dish is the epitome of fresh and really hits the spot on a hot tropical day at the beach. Ceviche is usually served with homemade tortilla chips, plantains chips, or if you are lucky patacones.

Cascado

A cascado is what Costa Ricans call a typical plate of food. Cascados can be served at breakfast, lunch, or dinner and frequently Costa Ricans have more than one a day. This plate always includes rice and beans and then a combination of salad, sweet plantains, queso fresco, and either fish, chicken, beef, or pork. There are all different combinations, and everyone place does their cascado a little differently.

This is the ultimate Costa Rican dish. If you are surfing while you are in Playa Grande, a cascado is the ultimate surfer’s food.

Traditional Costa Rica food is all made from locally grown and sourced ingredients. While you are in Costa Rica, do yourself a favor and try a variety of local food. I promise you that you won’t regret it!

Buen provecho!

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Feb 4, 2019
How to Make Your Smoothie a Power Smoothie

Today’s day time high was 36 degrees Celsius/98.6 degrees Fahrenheit! January through April are some of the hottest months in Costa Rica, especially up in Guanacaste. The saving grace is that during this time of the year there is barely any humidity, the water is clear and cool, and there is typically a steady breeze.

Few things are better during the heat of the day than an icy cold fresh fruit smoothie. Costa Rica is home to an extensive collection of exotic tropical fruits, which makes our smoothies some of the best. After spending the morning surfing, practicing yoga, or taking a long beach walk, enjoying a custom-made smoothie from our shaded canopy-level restaurant is a great way to cool off and rejuvenate.

You can choose from a delicious assortment of fruit, vegetables, and herbs, such as banana, pineapple, mango, lime, beet, celery, cucumber, carrot, apple, mint, ginger, and basil. All of the fruit and vegetables at our smoothie bar are locally grown. If you can’t make up your mind or are new to the smoothie creation game, fret not, we have a menu of smoothie combinations that are sure to quench your thirst and cool your soul.

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Treat yourself to a super smoothie at the RipJack Inn

What’s unique about our smoothie bar though is that we offer a selection of add-ins to take your smoothie to the next level. Superfood add-ins are a tasty way to treat your body to some powerful nutrients and minerals. You can add moringa, flaxseeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, and or amaranth to any smoothie.

These five plant-based ingredients are incredibly nutrient-dense and highly beneficial to your body. These ingredients are also what I like to call sneaky powerhouse foods. They will not affect the taste of your smoothie or whatever else you add them into, but they will provide a burst of amazing vitamins and minerals.

Moringa

Moringa is most commonly found in powder form and comes from the leaves of the moringa tree. The pods, roots, bark, flower, and seeds are also edible and nutrient-rich. This superfood is chalked full of vitamin A, C, and E, calcium, potassium, and protein. Moringa is a highly effective anti-inflammatory, as well as an antioxidant. It has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties and helps support the heart, brain, and liver.

If you haven’t already started adding moringa to your smoothies, today is a great day to start.

Flaxseed

One tablespoon of flaxseed contains a great deal of protein, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids. Flaxseed is an excellent source of plant-based protein. This seed may also help lower blood pressure, control blood sugar, improve cholesterol, and reduce the risk of cancer.

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Super nutrients in just one tablespoon

Chia Seed

Chia seeds are an omega-3 and protein-packed superfood. They are also high in antioxidants, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. These teeny tiny seeds promote healthy skin, reduce signs of aging, support the digestive system, strengthen bones, and protect the heart. There is no reason not to add these to your smoothie!

Hemp Seed

Hemp seeds are rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. A healthy dose of these fatty acids helps to promote cell growth. In a sun-drenched environment like Playa Grande, adding hemp seeds to your smoothie can help repair sun-damaged skin.

Amaranth

Amaranth is a grain-like seed, but don’t worry; it’s gluten-free. Amaranth contains anti-inflammatory properties and is a strong supporter of the immune system. This ancient seed contains vitamin A, C, E, K, B5, B6, folate, niacin, and riboflavin. It is also loaded with calcium, magnesium, zinc, potassium, copper, and phosphorus. These minerals help to build strong bones and muscles, aid hydration, and increase energy levels.

Try one or any combination of these add-ins in your smoothie and start reaping the benefits of these powerhouse plants!

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