17. Nicaragua (Central America between Honduras and Costa Rica)
“Set between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, it’s a Central American nation known for its dramatic terrain of lakes, volcanoes and beaches. Vast Lake Managua and the iconic stratovolcano Momotombo sit north of the capital Managua.” ― Google

The dishes we made:
Nacatamales (Nicaraguan Tamales) and Nicaraguan Gallo Pinto (Rice and Beans).

Nacatamales (Nicaraguan Tamales)    VERY, VERY Good!
Masa Dough
1 tomatoes
1 onion
1/4 large green bell pepper
3 cups masa harina
2 teaspoons sea salt
1 cup low sodium chicken broth lukewarm, plus more as needed
1/2 lime juiced*
1/2 orange juiced* 
1/2 cup lard
1/2 cup olive oil
*or ½ cup Sour Orange Juice
Nacatamale Filling
1.5 pounds boneless pork loin cut into 3/4" cubes
1/2 orange juiced**      
1/2 lime juiced** 
1 tablespoon annato oil
salt to taste
pepper to taste
3/8 cup long grain rice soaked in water
1/4 pound potatoes peeled, sliced 1/4" thick
1 large green bell pepper cut into 8 pieces or thin sliced
Onion, thin sliced
2 medium tomatoes, thin sliced
8 green olives
8 prunes
2 tablespoons capers
2 Tbsp Raisins
**or ~1/2 cup Sour Orange Juice (in place of OJ & lime)

Masa Dough
Blend tomato, onion, and green bell pepper until completely pureed. Reserve half of tomato mixture for pork marinade (see below).
Place masa harina in large bowl with salt. Add blended vegetables, chicken broth, lime juice, and orange juice. Mix well. Add lard and olive oil and stir until thoroughly incorporated. Cover and let stand 30 minutes.
Nacatamale Filling
Place pork in a medium bowl.
Add reserved tomato mixture, orange juice, lime juice, annato oil, salt and pepper.
Let marinade while you prepare rest of filling ingredients.
Wrapping Nacatamales
Cut banana leaves into roughly eight 10"x10" squares.
Tear off eight 12"x12" square pieces of aluminum foil.
Place each banana leaf on top of an aluminum foil square.
Spoon about 3/4 cup masa dough in center of banana leaf and spread out.
Place two piece of pork on top, followed by a tablespoon of soaked rice, a slice of potato, a piece of green bell pepper and a slice of tomato.
Add an olive, a few capers, and a prune.
Bring top and bottom ends of foil together and make a few folds down to meet the tamale. Fold the sides in as if wrapping a present. Tie with string to secure.
Pressure Steaming Nacatamales
Pour 2 cups of water into Instant Pot.
Place steamer rack on top and lay 4 nacatamales on top.
Set pressure to high for 1 hour.
Let slow release naturally.

Nicaraguan Gallo Pinto (Rice and Beans)  VERY, VERY Good!
1 cup/can gallo pinto beans (Red Beans)
1 bay leaf
1 small onion, peeled
1 clove
2 garlic cloves, peeled
Salt
1 1⁄2 cups long gain white rice, precooked
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
fresh black pepper
Water/Broth

Sauté onion, garlic, spices
Add beans and some liquid.
Cook a while.
Add rice.
Sauté the beans & rice in a skillet like fried rice just before serving to crisp the rice.