Yucca is a vegetable root high in carbohydrates and a good source of fiber. Add a little meat, a salad or some vegetables and you'll have the complete meal all set.

Yucca is a popular root here in Costa Rica, most commonly served as a side for dishes like vigorones,  chicharrones and as part of the olla de carne soup. To me, the way I present this recipe here is the best way to eat it. This pie is very similar to a Shepherd's pie, but using yucca instead of potatoes.

To give more depth to the dish, I prefer to cook the meat in the crockpot, to concentrate the flavors, and make it more as a stew. Also the good thing about this meat recipe, it is that makes enough meat to save for later. 
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​When mashing the yuca, make sure you mash it until smooth. It will take some time but  it is worth it. 
Feel free to add any other seasoning that you like to the mash. If the mash takes good, the pie will be good!. And last and most important, do not overcook it, as it can get very dry. If you are not getting the nice bronze color on top, don't keep cooking, just turn the broiler for a few minutes and problem solved. ENJOY!

Yucca Pie
Serving size: 6

For the meat
2 pound beef flank steak
1 big onion 
1 red bell pepper
2 big tomatoes
6 garlic cloves
2 tsp salt + 1 tsp black ground pepper + 1 tbsp fresh oregano + 1/2 tsp cumin + 2 bay leaves
1 to 1/2 cup of water
4 ounces tomato paste. 

For the pie
1.5 Kg yucca (cassava, yuca)
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup of butter
2 cups cheese (any melting cheese, I use queso cremoso)
1/2 tsp salt + 1/2 tsp ground pepper + 1 tsp garlic salt + 1/2 tsp roasted garlic powder (optional)


To make the meat: chopped the tomatoes, pepper, onion and garlic. In a crock pot, put the meat, seasonings and the chopped vegetables add enough water to cover the meat. Cover and cook for 6 hours at low temperature.  When done, remove 1 cup of liquid, bay leaves and add the tomato paste. Cover and cook for 45 more minutes. 

To make the yucca: wash, peel and cut the yucca in chucks. Place it into a large pot, and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain, and return the yucca to the pot. Then mash the yucca with a potato masher, add the butter, milk,  1 cup of cheese and seasonings. Continue to mash until smooth and fluffy. 

To ensemble the pie:
Preheat oven at 350F. Greased a 9 by 9 in baking dish; spread half of the yucca mashed, in a thick layer. Spread 2 cups of meat. Sprinkle 1/2 cup cheese; layer the other half of the yucca and sprinkle the remaining cheese. Cook for 35 min. 

Tortilla de Queso is a staple in Costa Rica for breakfast or coffee time. These are not the regular tortillas that you eat with tacos; in these ones we add cheese to the dough. You can eat it by themselves or with a bit of sour cream on top. They are a filling breakfast option and gluten free!
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I have to confess how intimidated I was to make my own corn tortillas. I grow up seeing my mom, grandma and aunts doing it, but yet for some weird reason I felt they were hard to make. ​Well, that changed as soon as I made them. I was surprised how simple it was.  Was it really that easy?  Yes, it was.  And I didn't even have a tortilla maker, I made it with my hands and a plastic bag!!! 

Here in Costa Rica, there are many kinds of corn flours in the market. I like to use one called Juana, and that is the one I used for this recipe. Other brands may need a little bit more or less milk to get the right consistency.  Try it and let me know what you think. 

Picadillo translate to chopped so basically, picadillos are cooked chopped vegetables. There are so many recipes and variations using all kind of vegetable and protein combinations. In Costa Rica they are a very common side dish. 
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The picadillo de chayote, is one of the most popular ones, I guess it is because of its sweet flavor and and because it is so quick and easy to make. Another popular one, and my personal favorite it is the potatoes picadillo, I have a great recipe for this picadillo en my book. 
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This is one of my go to recipes during weekdays because it is such a light side dish, very nutritional and I goes very well with any kind of protein. 

Picadillo de Chayote 
Serving size: 4

Ingredients: 
3 chayotes tiernos (the light green ones)
1 cup sweet corn 
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup chopped red pepper
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
3 minced garlic cloves
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp fresh oregano leaves

In a medium-size pot heat up a little bit of olive oil. Add the onion, red pepper, celery, cilantro and garlic to the pot, and cook over medium heat for a few minutes, until the onion is translucent.
Meanwhile, chop the chayotes into 1/2 inch squares. Add the chayote, corn, water, salt, pepper and oregano leaves and mix well.
​Cover and cook for 20 min or until the chayote is soft. Don't forget to mix a couple of times while is cooking. 

Like most women, I love chocolate and it is something I simply can't live without.  But do have to admit, I'm what my husband calls, a chocolate snob.  I enjoy GOOD chocolate, and make no mistake not all chocolates are equal.   I'm excited to hear that The Latest Batch is sharing Costa Rica's best chocolate to the rest of the world.  The Latest Batch imports all of their cacao directly from nature-minded farmers in Costa Rica. Then, longtime chocolate maker and chef Jay Holecek finely tunes small batches of chocolate  in his lab in Windsor, California – midway between San Francisco (to the south) and the Mendocino National Forest.

The Latest Batch began with the idea to share this hidden gem in its most delicious form – fresh, dark chocolate.  Freshness is important as you always get our chocolate within a month of when we make it. And we use just two ingredients – Costa Rican cacao and Costa Rican cane sugar.Lots of folks are surprised that with only two ingredients, every batch tastes different. Just like a wine’s flavor comes from the grapes and how they’re processed, so it is with chocolate and cacao (say it with us… “kah-cow”). 

When you are ready to try some amazing chocolate from Costa Rica be sure to check out The Latest Batch.  

​Sopa de Albondigas
Serving size: 4 

Ingredients: 
For the meatballs
1/2 pound ground pork meat (can substitute for ground beef)
2 tbsp finely chopped onion
2 tbsp finely chopped red peper
2 tbsp chopped cilantro
1/2 tsp dry thyme
1/4 stp ground pepper
1/4 stp salt

For the soup
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped red pepper
1/2 cup corn (from a can or use fresh corn)
1 celery stick 
1 medium size carrot
1 medium size zucchini
1 big potato
1 chayote
1 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic
1 tsp ground pepper
1 tsp oregano
2 cups chicken stock
4 cups water

For the meatballs: mix all the ingredients together and using your hands, make small meatballs. You should be able to make 8 meatballs. 

For the soup: chopped all the vegetables in sticks or square shape. Add all the ingredients to a heavy pot, cover and cook over medium high for 15 minutes.  Add the meatballs and cook over medium for 20 more minutes. 

Ohana is located on the street that leads to The Hicaco Restaurant, is a small, rustic, cool and casual setting; ideal to go with friends or with families.
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Starting with the drinks, my recommendation is the ginger margarita which is delicious! Is is very light and fresh and ideal to accompany sushi.

​Sushi is the specialty of the restaurant and definitely Diego, the owner and chef, knows how to prepare sushi. I have tried several of their rolls and I like them all, but my favorite is definitely the "no regrets" and I assure you that as the name says it, you will no regret having tried it.


The menu is extensive, including more than sushi,  with enough choices of starters, salads and other dishes like rice bowls and chicken skewers. They also have vegan and vegetarian options too. I have tried several of their dishes and they are all very good, they are light, fresh and well balanced.

I know passionfruit is not always easy to find, but this tropical fruit is quite popular in Costa Rica and one of my favorites. The tart flavor of the fruit helps to create an ice cream that feels so refreshing. 

​Passion Fruit (maracuya) Ice Cream
Serving size 1 quart

Ingredients: 
2 cups passion fruit juice, from 5 to 6 passion fruit. 
600g condensed milk
2/3 cup half and half

For the juice
Cut the passion fruits in half and scoop out their pulp. Place the pulp into a blender and add 1/4 cup of water. Blend for a few seconds and pour the juice into a strainer to remove the seeds. 

To make the ice cream
Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
Chill the mix in the fridge for at least 4 hours.
Transfer to an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's instruction. 
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