Mexican Essentials Some Assembly Required Recipes

MEXICAN ESSENTIALS: SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED

Steps:

• PREP/PREPARE
• Here is a great recipe for refried beans: https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/side/vegetable/south-of-the-border-essentials-refried-beans.html?r=10
• These work well with beef, pork, or chicken... Here is an awesome recipe for steak taco meat: https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/main-course/beef/mexican-essentials-awesome-steak-taco-meat.html?r=11
• There are a lot of cheeses that you could use for this... even a combination of different varieties. I felt that the queso fresco, really pulled the other ingredients together, and helped to make this recipe a success.
• Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
• Place a rack in the middle position, and preheat the oven to 350f (175c).
• Brush both sides of the tortillas with the avocado oil.
• Toast in the oven until browning is spots, and beginning to crisp, about 3 - 5 minutes.
• Chef's Note: Turn the tortillas over after 2 minutes.
• Remove from the oven, and spread some refried beans over the top.
• Add a generous amount of chicken, pork, or beef.
• Cover with the cheese... Be generous.
• Pop back into the oven, for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melty, and beginning to brown in spots.
• PLATE/PRESENT
• Serve them while nice and warm. Enjoy.
• Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

BURRITO ESSENTIALS: SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED

Steps:

• 1. PREP/PREPARE
• 2. One of my goals here at Just-a-Pinch was not just to post recipes, but to use those recipes in combination, to made creative dishes. So, here are the previously-posted recipes that I used to make this yummy burrito.
• 3. These recipes can be made a day or two ahead of time, and then reheated on the day needed: *** THE RICE *** https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/side/rice-side/baked-essentials-parmesan-cilantro-lime-rice.html *** THE SPICY BEEF PORK *** https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/main-course/beef/mexican-essentials-make-ahead-burrito-filling.html *** THE SALSA *** https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/sauce-spread/salsa/awesome-tomatillo-lime-salsa.html?r=4 *** THE CHEESE SAUCE *** https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/sauce-spread/other-sauce-spread/mexican-essentials-green-chili-sauce.html
• 4. A medium avocado will provide you with enough topping for 2 or possibly 3 burritos.
• 5. If you are freezing these, stop before you get to the steps on pan frying. When needed, let them defrost for about an hour, then wrap in foil, or parchment paper, and stick into a 250f (120c), oven for about 30 - 40 minutes, then remove and pan fry.
• 6. Gather your Ingredients (mise en place).
• 7. Lay the flour tortilla down on a clean surface, and then add the refried beans in an even layer, right down the middle.
• 8. Chef's Note: Since we will be rolling this tortilla up, leave about an inch (2.5cm) on the left and right.
• 9. Next, add the rice.
• 10. Then the spicy ground beef/pork.
• 11. The salsa.
• 12. Finally, the cheese.
• 13. THE FOLDING
• 14. Ah, one of the secrets to a good burrito, or chimichanga is proper folding. It is not exactly rocket science; however, there are a few things to consider. First of all, do not overstuff with filling, or it will fall apart when you try to eat it. Another tip is that the beef/pork filling should be nice and warm, but not boiling hot. Finally, of course, is the folding: As you face the tortilla, the filling should be going left-to-right. Fold the two sides in towards the center. Fold the bottom (the side closest to you), tightly up and over the filling. Now, tightly roll it up and over the top, so that the flap is on the bottom. There you go.
• 15. Add the butter and oil to a skillet over medium heat.
• 16. When the foaming subsides, add the burrito, flap-side down, and cook until golden brown, about 3 - 5 minutes.
• 17. Turn over, and repeat for the other side.
• 18. Chef's Note: Pan-frying the burrito, accomplishes two things: It gives the tortilla a satisfying crunch (like a chimichunga, but without deep frying), and it helps to melt the cheese, making it gooey and yummy.
• 19. PLATE/PRESENT
• 20. Cut on the diagonal, add a dollop of mashed avocado, and drizzle with some yummy cheese sauce. Serve with some additional salsa, and sour cream, on the side, and maybe some nice tortilla chips. Enjoy
• 21. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.