It was the Garífunas, the black Guatemalans living in the Caribbean shores of Lívingston and Puerto Barrios, Izabal, who made an exquisite meal from rice, beans, coconut milk, tomatoes and herbs. Garífunas called it Rice and Beans; yes, in English. This meal has several variations and names in the different Caribbean communities. For instance in Cuba, Rice and Beansdish is known as Moros y Cristianos (Moors and Christians).
The tapado (covered) dish comes from the Guatemalan Caribbean region of Lívingston, in the department of Izabal. Lívingston’s population is made up by Black Guatemalans known as Garífunas, Q’eqchi’ Maya and Mestizos (mixed) and it’s precisely this mixture that is necessary to create such a delicacy. If you are in La Antigua Guatemala, you can only find this dish at El Pelícano Dorado (I think). According to Guy, the ceviche connoisseur, you can also find a great ceviche at El Pelícano Dorado.
