The Chipotle Experiment

So I love Chipotle and their awesome burritos. Pure simplicity if you ask me. Rice, Beans, Meat, Cheeses and Salsa swaddled in a tortilla marriage that makes me sing. Delicious. And the ingredients seem easy enough, why not try to make them at home? The primary parts needed to be prepared are the Beans, the Meat (if you so choose, vegetarian is also delicious), and the Rice. After you have these basic things (recipe and tips below) assemble and serve.


Chipotle Style Burritos

Beans
An essential part of the Burrito. I found my recipe online and adapted it here. However, feel free to use your own recipe or buy pre-made beans at the store. As usual, I don’t use exact measurements as I find them hindering rather than helping.
•Canned Black Beans, Drained, with liquid in reserve.
•Onion, Diced. For two servings, I used about a quarter onion
•Minced Garlic
•Jalapeno Chili. Diced and roasted. Canned stuff works too
•Cumin.
•Salt and Pepper to taste
In a medium skillet, cook your onion until translucent, then add garlic and jalapeno and cook for about another 30 seconds. Add can of drained beans. Add Cumin. Stir with spatula. Add reserved liquid if needed. Consistency should be like a stew, remember some liquid will evaporate off during cooking. Mash beans with fork or masher. Remove from heat.

Rice
Also an essential part of the Burrito. While plain white rice will work, I found that making my rice with a bit of lime juice and finishing with cilantro give it an authentic taste. Just don’t use too much lime juice or you’ll end up with a sweet syrupy rice better suited for pudding than Burritos.

Meat
Grilling is the best option here. If you can marinade prior to grilling, that works even better. Otherwise a bit of salt and pepper on your George Foreman works wonders. Dice and prepare for assembly. Chicken works well as does skirt steak.

To assemble the entire Burrito you’ll also need
•Burrito sized tortillas, about 12 – 14 inches in diameter.
•Cheese. Cheddar or Monterrey Jack
•Lettuce
•Tomatoes
•Guacamole (if you so choose)
•Sour Cream (if you so choose)

Warm tortilla in microwave or on stovetop until soft and can fold without breaking. Spread out and layer in Rice and Bean mixture. Add meat (if wanted). Fix with other toppings such as cheese, lettuce, tomato, sour cream and guacamole. Roll up and enjoy with hot sauce.

Enjoy


Side Note: I should never try to challenge the master. But alas, I did just that. And while it went OK, I still must submit that while homemade burritos are amazing, sometimes you have to relent and give way to the master. But I am still happy with my experiment and how it all came out. Tell me how your Burritos went, because I’d like to think that there is someone out there who can recreate Chipotle at home.