Burrito - The Perfect Food

Burrito is the perfect food. You can make it vegetarian or meaty. If you like chicken, go ahead and make it with chicken ... oh, you're a pork fan? Why not make it with a nice piece of pork loin? Does spice bother you? Then don't add too much chipotle ... but the important thing is that you make burritos, and make them often, because burrito IS the perfect food. Complement it with freshly made guacamole and tomato salsa. Let's get honest: Avocado, lime, tomato, cilantro, onion, corn, rice and chipotle ... you can't go wrong! This is how I made it this time:

Ingredients:

• Brown (or white) long grain rice x 1 cup
• canned crushed tomato x 1 cup
• garlic x 1 clove finely, chopped
• red onion x 1 medium, chopped
• button mushroom x 5, sliced
• red pepper x 1, thinly sliced,
• corn x 1 cup
• Pinto refried bean x 1/2 can
• pan fry steak x 200 grams
• tortilla x 4
• cheese x 1/2 cup, Gouda or Monterey Jack
• jalapeño x 1, finely chopped
• tomato x 2 medium, chopped in small cubes
• cilantro x lots of it, chopped
• chipotle pepper x as much as you desire
• lime x 1
• salt, pepper and olive oil

You can make the rice in advance and set it aside: cook the rice in boiling water according to the instruction on the package (it takes about 20-30 minutes). Once its cooked, drain and rinse with cold water. In the same pan, sauté the garlic and half of the onion in some olive oil. Add some chopped cilantro stalks, chipotle, salt and pepper. Add the canned tomato and an extra pinch of salt. Add the rice and mix well. Taste to make sure the seasoning is OK. Put aside.

In a medium sized pan, fry the rest of the onion and red pepper in olive oil. Add salt, pepper and chipotle pepper. Cook until almost tender. Add mushrooms, cook for 5 minutes. Add corn, lots of cilantro and some lime juice. once cooked take all the vegetables out and put them in a bowl. In the same pan, fry the beef until medium (time on each side depends on the thickness, just make sure you do not over cook the meat). Place the meat on a chopping board and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing it.

Place a baking pan in middle rack of the oven and pre-heat to 350 F. Start the wrap by spreading some refried bean, add some rice, vegetables and meat. Top with cheese, lime juice, fresh cilantro and a sprinkle of chipotle pepper (if desired). Wrap well so the fillings wont fall out. Place in the oven and cook each side until slightly golden brown and crispy.

Make the salsa by mixing the chopped tomato, jalapeño pepper, 1 tbsp of very finely sliced red onion, salt, pepper, olive oil and cilantro. For guacamole I just mashed a ripe avocado and mixed with some salt, pepper lime juice and olive oil.

OK that's it! There are a lot of steps involved, but the result is well worth the effort.