• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
In Fine Taste
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Appetizers & Side Dishes » Cookout on the Estero: Salvadoran Rice and Vegetables

    Cookout on the Estero: Salvadoran Rice and Vegetables

    Published: Jun 26, 2019 · Modified: Jul 14, 2021 by In Fine Taste · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    I'm in El Salvador this week on a humanitarian trip and I’ve been enjoying lots of delicious food. Best of all is that fresh fish and seafood. One of the most memorable experiences was an afternoon cookout on the estero at a ramada. What?! I thought you might enjoy tagging along to learn about this fun afternoon!

    Thatched roof ramadas on the water in El Salvador

    The Estero

    Let me take you cruising down Estero Jaltepeque near El Salvador’s Costa del Sol. (An "estero", or estuary in English, is a tidal channel of mixed fresh and salt water that has openings to the ocean.) It’s a breathtaking ride through blue water, lined with lush green mangroves and drenched  in sunshine.We pass a few thatched huts on stilts which serve as small restaurants. We cross an outlet to the open sea and continue up another fork of this river-like path.

    map of El Salvador's La Costa del Sol and Estero JaltepequeWhat is a Ramada?

    Our destination, a “ramada”, (thatched roof covered wooden deck), is standing in the river on stilts made from mangrove trees. We pull up, unload the boat, and explore. 

    Thatched roof ramada on the river in EL Salvador

    father and son fishing together El Salvador

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Herbert pulls out fishing poles for his four year old twins. We greet the neon green parrots roaming about. Others settle down to chat at tables, and  I, of course, check out the food!  

    2 green parrotstwins in swim suits hanging on dockplank walkway over river and 2 boats

    What's for lunch?

    There’s a pile of fresh fish. Cast iron pots and pans stand on the wood burning stove filled with rice, chicken soup and shrimp turning to salmon pink in the hot pan. They’re getting ready for us! This cozy ramada is run by a family who lives across the wood plank (pictured above). They're open on weekends for drop-by service and on weekdays (Tuesday for us) by reservation. They literally live on the water and their kids travel to school by boat.

    cast iron pots cooking outdoorssoda bottles sitting on table

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    We grab sodas from an icy cooler. Coca-Cola, cream soda, grape, Fanta orange and Fresca (with sugar); are all chilled and ready. It’s hot — that sticky, humid hot of Central America. The drinks are cool — perfect. Next a bowl of flavorful chicken soup with pupusas. 

    Cast iron pots cooking outdoors

    Taking a Dip!

    It's getting hot so our host, Patty, suggests a dip in the river! We climb down mossy steps or jump into the welcome water. It’s refreshing, but surprisingly warm. We tread water, swim and talk. As the current grows stronger we climb back onto our ramada deck.

    Now we’re ready for the main entree— fried fish, chicken,  and shrimp, with pan fried Salvadoran Rice and Vegetables. 

    Why does food always taste better when you cook and eat it outside? This meal is scrumptious, and the location a little beyond my dreams. What a relaxing way to spend the afternoon. It feels like a scene straight from the pages of Bon Appétit magazine! 

    We finish our delicious food then speed back along the river. Fortunately we make it to our dock just as the sun is setting. If you ever visit El Salvador, put a cookout lunch along the estero at the top of your list! 

    Harbor on the Estero near Costa Del Sol El Salvador

    Do we have a recipe?

    Here's our flavorful recipe for Salvadoran Rice and Vegetables. I can tell you it tastes best in a cast iron pot at a cookout on the estero, in a ramada, in El Salvador, but we think you'll like this home version too! It's a simple recipe filled with good flavors, and it pairs well with any meat dish. You could even add chicken and make this an entree by itself!

    Enjoy!

    Dianna

    Don't forget to pin this recipe for later! You can also follow us on Pinterest here!

    Cookout on the Estero with shrimp and Salvadoran rice

    Salvadoran Rice and Vegetables

    Chicken flavored rice sauteed with garlic, carrots, green pepper, onion and tomatoes.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizers & Side Dishes
    Cuisine: Salvadoran
    Servings: 3.5 cups
    Calories: 119kcal
    Author: Dianna--In Fine Taste

    Ingredients

    • 2 Tablespoons oil
    • 1 ½ Cups of rice
    • 2 Tablespoons chicken flavored seasoning Maggi or Knorr
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 large carrot about 1 cup chopped fine
    • ½ green pepper chopped fine
    • ½ cup onion chopped fine
    • ½ cup tomatoes chopped fine
    • 2 cups chicken broth
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Heat oil in a large skillet on medium high. Add rice, garlic, carrot, green pepper, onion and tomato and sauté about 10 minutes. Add chicken broth, chicken seasoning, salt and pepper and stir.
    • Bring mixture to a boil. Cover and cook over medium low for 20 minutes. Turn off stove and let rice rest 10 minutes.
    • Fluff with a fork to mix all ingredients. Serve alone or with any meat dish.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 119kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 552mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g
    Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
    Tried this recipe? Leave a review below, then take a picture and tag us @InFineTaste on Instagram so we can see!

    Tried this recipe and loved it? Comment and Rate it! Also send us a picture, WE WANT TO SEE!

    You may also want to check out these other tasty summer ideas!

    2 layer cookies and cream ice cream cake

    Try our Navajo Tacos made with Indian Fry Bread covered with chilli, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, sour cream and salsa

    summer salad with corn, tomato and avocado in a large white bowl

     

     

     

    « Strawberry Basil Lemonade
    Apple Cilantro Lime Coleslaw »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. M

      July 04, 2019 at 10:49 am

      That day looked magical. I wish you included the shrimp recipe. I’d love to know how they seasoned their shrimp. Now I want a dockside outdoor kitchen with huge wood grill top.

      Reply
      • admin

        July 14, 2019 at 8:37 pm

        I will have to do some research and see if I can figure it out! I know, doesn't that sound dreamy?!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Meet Dianna & Alyssa

    two women, Dianna and Alyssa, standing with their arms around each other.

    We are Dianna & Alyssa, a mother-daughter duo, and food lovers! We are the stomachs behind all the recipes we share here on In Fine Taste.

    Read more about us

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    Get Ready for Valentine's Day!

    • Hidden Heart Bundt Cake (made with a cake mix!)
    • Better-than-Swig Sugar Cookie Bars
    • Chocolate Raspberry Layer Cake
    • Lemon Blackberry Cake

    Popular Posts

    • Cookie Monster Cookies
    • Roasted Red Pepper Gouda Soup
    • Tzatziki (Cucumber Yogurt Sauce)
    • The Best Pizza Dough
    as featured on, displaying where in fine taste has been featured.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About Us

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Have a question? Or want to work with us? Send us a message!
    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.