My original idea was to share Gallo Pinto, which is basically just beans and rice pan fried with whatever vegetables you have lying around. Maybe it is a nice complement to Jove’s Maduro.

The key to this dish, in my opinion, is the addition of Salsa Lizano which is available locally at the PL International Market on 7th and Polk.

In the 1980’s, my Grandma Mary worked for an organization called Partners of the Americas which provides students Oregon and Costa Rica the opportunity to live and study abroad. At the time, there was also a cultural exchange program that helped facilitate collaboration and exhibits of art at museums in both countries.

As part of that program, my Grandma hosted Francisco Amighetti when his art was on exhibit at the Schneider Museum of Art in Portland. Gallo Pinto is a breakfast staple in Costa Rico, and from then on it was for our family as well. I enjoy it any time of day, always with a couple fried eggs, and often with the addition of whatever left over protein you may have in the fridge. Barbecued chicken or shrimp are a couple of my favorite riffs on this dish.

The image above is of Mr. Amighetti with a woodblock print that he gave to my Grandmother, which I have in my house today.