Homemade Burritos

These are a delicious make-ahead lunch to freeze as a handy lunch to bring to work! Just make, freeze, and then heat in the microwave for 3 minutes. I don't know quite how I managed, before I had a freezer full of these.

Makes 10 (approximately)
Total prep and cooking time:  45 minutes more or less, depending on how fast you are at filling and rolling.

1 cup uncooked rice

1 (15 ounce) can black beans

1 (15.5 ounce) can pinto or kidney beans
1 cup frozen corn kernals, rinsed in warm water, drained
1 cup salsa
8 - 10 (10 inch) flour tortillas (make sure they’re flexible)
1/2 pound Pepper Jack cheese, shredded (or cheddar)
 

2 tablespoons tobasco or hot sauce of your choice

1 tablespoon ground chile powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves

1 cup chopped fresh cilantro

(essential! If you don’t like cilantro, use parsley, but use something)

1 minced jalapeno pepper (optional)

 
Cook rice in your usual fashion, adding some Mexican or Southwest Seasoning or extra chile powder (1 teaspoon, approximately) into the water.  Allow to cool somewhat while you prepare the rest.  Drain and rinse beans. Add corn and salsa, and toss to mix. Transfer to a large bowl, and mix in rice and cheese and seasonings. Mix very thoroughly. Taste and see if you need to add more spices or hot sauce.   Divide the mixture evenly among the tortillas, and roll up. Wrap individually in plastic wrap, place into a large freezer bag, and freeze. Reheat covered, but unwrapped, in the microwave on high for about 3 minutes.   Liberally apply extra hot sauce.

I always plan to have these for dinner on the day that I make a batch.  Instead of microwaving them, I spritz them lightly with canola oil and bake them on a cookie sheet, in a 400 F oven, or until the edges are crispy and golden.

For a non-vegetarian version, substitute one of the cans of beans with ½ pound cooked ground beef (season well, and drain off any fat) or ground chicken or turkey for a lean and healthy meaty version. It’s more work, but it IS tasty!

I usually get 10 (sometimes more) burritos, depending on how big the tortillas are, how much I've tinkered with the filling, and how much of the filling I've eaten while rolling up the burritos.

 

PSSST!

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