Recipes from Nicaragua
The Nicaraguan diet consists mainly of corn, beans and rice. Experience the tantalizing taste experience of this vibrant country with these food recipes from Nicaragua. We are certain you will have a good time cooking and savoring these delicious Nicaraguan recipes.
Nacatamales
Nacatamales are corncakes, similar to Mexican tamales, stuffed with rice, vegetables and meats. The dough is then wrapped in banana leaves and steamed.
- 2 cups Cornmeal
- 1/4 cup Lard
- 1 Onion, chopped
- 2 teaspoons of Sour Orange Juice or Lime
- 2 cups Chicken Broth (or other broth you prefer)
- 2 Garlic Cloves, minced
- 1 Green Pepper, chopped
- 1 Red Pepper, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Fresh Parsley
- Fresh Mint to taste
- Paprika to taste
- 1 pound Pork, cooked and cubed
- 2 Tomatoes, cubed
- 2 cups Potatoes, mashed
- 1/2 cup Rice, cooked
- Ground pepper to taste
- Salt to taste
- 10 Banana Leaves
Just cover the cornmeal with water, adding the orange juice and then cooking it at a low heat so that the hulls begin to separate. Then rinse with cold water, placing it in a pot and again covering it with water. Allow it to sit for 3 days, being sure to change the water every day. Once it has stood for 3 days, drain the corn and mash it. Now add half of the lard, plus some salt. Knead the mixture whilst slowly adding the broth until the dough is soft.
In a pan, place the rest of the lard, along with the peppers, onion, garlic, tomatoes, paprika, salt, pepper, mint and parsley. Then add the pork and other ingredients. Wash the banana leave and cut into 16 inch squares. Place a spoonful of dough in the center of each leaf square, then top with pork mixture. Carefully wrap and tie with string. Place the nacatamales in boiling water for about 30 minutes. Enjoy!
Gallo Pinto
Gallo Pinto is Nicaragua's most popular dish, eaten at any time of the day.
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 lrg onions – thinly sliced
- 2 cups cooked red beans
- ¼ cup water
- 1 cup cooked white rice
Beans: cook 1 cup of dry red beans with 6 crushed cloves of garlic and water in a pressure cooker for 15 to 20 minutes. Sauté the onion in a pot. Add in the cooked beans and water. Cook for 5 minutes at a low heat whilst stirring. The beans must remain whole. Now add the cooked rice and simmer for a further 10 minutes, still stirring.
Maduros
A tasty banana dessert.
- 4 maduros (sweet bananas) peeled
- 3 cups milk
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Place maduros and milk in a bowl and boil until tender. Add the sugar, cinnamon and vanilla, boiling for another 5 minutes. Place it in a dish and bake in the oven for 30 minutes at 350°F.
Refried Beans
A popular dish, served as part of a variety of meals.
- Uncooked black beans
- Garlic
- Onion
- Vegetable oil
- salt
- chopped tomato
- lemon juice
- seasonings
Boil washed beans in a pressure cooker until soft. Add salt, garlic and onion during the cooking process. Sauté onions in a pan. Quickly add beans and left over water. Continuously add more water as it cooks down. This will ensure that the beans get a sweeter and smooth texture. On the last round add the chopped tomato, lemon juice and seasoning. Mash it up.
Fresco De Pina y Arroz
No meal is complete without some refreshment. This chilled pineapple rice drink will definitely cool you down.
- Pineapple peel/rind
- ½ cup uncooked white rice
- Water
Boil pineapple rind for 10 minutes in sufficient water to cover the rinds half-way. Add the rice and boil until it splits or puffs. Allow to cool and then strain. Dilute with twice the amount of water. Add sugar as needed.
User Comments & Reviews
2010-01-28 00:49:03
My 9 year old daughter has a ministry where she raises money thru lemonade stands, the money goes directly to a church in nicrauga to buy food for the local villiagers, we are doing a food night to help raise funds and awarness for this cause, we have no idea what to serve for a nicrauga food night if anyone has any ideas it would be a great help we would like receipes, names of food ext. we will be checking back periodically. GOD BLESS Pastor Todd
2010-01-22 21:15:06
WOW! I am so glad I found these comments. I left Nicaragua in '77 and never went back. But I do remember eating these items as a kid. Keep up the good work folks.
2010-01-14 00:48:19
do u take the cinimon sticks out of the maduros
2010-01-09 02:42:01
For the person that said that our nacatamales are similar to Mexican.... you are so wrong!!!! it will never be not even similar... where are you from??? No ofense to Mexicans :) I love your food, in fact the majoritie of my friends are Mexican.... Cruff Northen California
2010-01-06 15:18:33
Your recipe for nacatamales seems to be a bit misleading as they are most definitely NOT DUMPLINGS, they are a version of TAMALES. The meat in the original recipe is pork not bacon. All nacatamales must have a nice sized chunk of pork fat in them for flavor, you must add a green olive and a prune and they take much longer than 1/2 hour to cook. Also, it is better to wrap the whole thing in a long sheet of aluminum foil (over the plantain leaf) and tie with twine before cooking.
2010-01-02 20:56:52
Gracias por las recetas de las espumillas y del Pio V las he buscado y buscado, cada familia tenia sus propios trucos y sabores distintos pero la base siempre fue la misma, muchas gracias
2009-12-26 19:21:43
I would like the recipie for Indio Viejo....Fresco de Cacao....Rosquillas.....Bunuelos.....You know what im talking bout right! yuca frita con quesso y miel. UHMM Yummm!
2009-12-22 19:38:17
what kind of meat do i use for making BAHIO! thank you
2009-12-16 00:34:42
Aqui la receta del relleno NICA. 1 lb de posta de puerco (se puede substituir con pollo, yo uso pechuga dezmenuda que viene en lata por mas saludable) 1 taza de chiltomo picado 1 taza de cebolla picada 1 taza de tallo picado 1 taza de apio picado 1/2 taza de aceitunas 1/2 taza de pasas 1/2 taza de alcaparras (opcional) 1 taza de pan desbaratado y mojado en leche 1 cucharadita de ajo en polvo 1/2 cucharadita de comino en polvo sal al gusto 1 cucharadita de pasta de tomate 1 cucharada de mostaza 1 cucharada de salsa inglesa 1/2 taza de mantequilla (segun necesiten) Se pone a coser la carne aproximadamente una hora. Se saca a enfriar. Se pica como el salpicon, o trozitos mas grandes si desea. (al gusto) En un paire grande se pone mantentequilla a calentar . Se sofrien todas las verdaras poco a poco. Desoyes se echa la carne. Se menea y por ultimo se echa el pan mojado . Se condimenta con resto de especies. Se echa todo en un paire de horno cubierto con papel de alumnio y se hornea por 30 minnutos en 350 grados. Se quita el papel los ultimos 5 minutos para que se tueste un poquito al final. Se sirve caliente...delicioso!
2009-12-14 20:30:53
estoy buscando la receta del relleno Nica ;que se acompana con el pavo. I am looking for the Nica stuffing that is a complement for the turkey
2009-12-06 21:40:55
nacatamales r much simular to mexican tamales not dumplings . just to make things clear ..
2009-11-30 05:03:44
My mom makes these things differently...I guess it depends on area and family traditions. But it is good to put up these recipes for those who would like to know.
2009-11-12 03:32:56
i think what your doing is really good especially for those people who left nicaragaua years ago and are kind of forgetting their tradition
2009-10-20 02:08:32
Estoy buscando por la receta de Pillo Quinto
2009-10-13 03:15:11
6 lbs tripe, washed thoroughly in hot water and cut in 1-inch pieces or 1/2 X 2 inch strips 1 gal water 2 large onions, chopped 4 cloves garlic 1 tbs salt 1/2 tsp black pepper 4 ancho chiles, dried 1 tbsp fresh cilantro leaves, chopped fine 3 (14 1/2 oz) cans yellow hominy, drained lime wedges Place the tripe, water, onions, garlic,salt, and pepper in a large kettle and let it simmer over low heat for about two hours, skimming fat as necessary. Toast the chiles well, using care not to burn them. Remove seeds and veins,if desired, and grind fine. Add powdered chiles and cilantro. Simmer for an additional two hours. Add the hominy and cook for another thirty minutes. Serve with lime wedges. Serves 10 - 12
2009-08-28 22:43:00
I am searching for the recipe for MONDONGO. Would you please help me. Thanks
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