Eat Your Colors, Please.

I don't like processed food. I like colorful, whole ingredients. I like to know what's in my food. 

That is probably why I don't like to eat out. The food can sometimes be sketchy and it is usually pretty expensive. Maybe that's why I like to cook so much. I can control what goes in my food and I have a lot of fun while doing it. 

Recently, I have become obsessed with burrito bowls from restaurants like Chipotle, Qdoba and Freebirds. They are gluten-free and so yummy. However, they are pretty expensive. 

I found a recipe for burrito bowls and tweaked it. 

I highly recommend making these. They are amazing. Amen.

First, take 2 thawed chicken breasts. Brown on each side, not cooking all the way through. While they are browning, season with chili powder, cumin, oregano, onion powder and garlic salt on both sides. When brown, move to a cutting board and cut into pieces. 

Then do the same with the sirloin steak. 

Then transfer all the meat back to your pan.

Let it cook.

While it's doing its thing cooking, whip up some brown rice. When that is done, throw some butter in it.





















Then add the juice of 1 lime, salt and cilantro



















In a small saucepan, add 1 can of black beans (rinsed and drained), water, chili powder, cumin, oregano and cayenne pepper. Set that over medium heat. You're just trying to warm them up.



















By now, your meat should be done.



















Assemble into bowls and top with whatever you want.

Homemade Burrito Bowls

Adapted from Iowa Girl Eats
* Serves 4-6

Meat:

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 sirloin steak
• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Oregano
• Onion Powder
• Garlic Salt

Rice:

• 2 1/2 cups water
• 3 cups Minute brown rice
• 3 tbsp. butter
• Salt
• Juice of 1 lime
• Cilantro

Beans:

• 1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
• 1/4 cup water
• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Oregano
• Cayenne Pepper

1. Season and brown both sides of chicken and steak in a pan with olive oil. Move to cutting board and chop into pieces. Throw all the meat back into the pan. Cook.

2. Meanwhile, cook up brown rice according to package. Then add butter, salt, lime juice and cilantro.

3. In a small saucepan, add drained and rinsed black beans, water, and seasonings. Set over medium heat to warm.

4. Assemble into a bowl, add toppings and serve.

***

It wouldn't be fair if I just left you with that. You've got to have some killer things to put on top of these things. 

So, behold a glorious recipe for pico de gallo.

First, chop up 5 Roma tomatoes

Add 1/2 of an onion

Then 2 1/2 jalapenos. I take all the seeds out, but if you want a spicier pico de gallo, then leave some in.

Add cilantro, salt and juice from 1/2 a lime.

Stir and try not to devour in one sitting.

Pico de Gallo

Adapted from The Pioneer Woman

• 5 Roma tomatoes
• 1/2 large onion
• 2 1/2 jalapenos
• Cilantro
• Juice from 1/2 lime
• Salt

You can serve this immediately after you make it, but I recommend putting it in the refrigerator for a few hours. This lets all the flavors intensify and makes it much better.

***

Another great topping is corn salsa. It's super easy to make and it tastes heavenly.
 

Corn Salsa

Adapted from CopyKat Recipes 

• 2 cups frozen corn
• 1/2 jalapeno
• 1/2 juice of a lime
• Kosher salt
• Cilantro

Thaw corn. Chop up jalapenos and add all the ingredients together. Allow to sit in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving.

***

These burrito bowls would be a great for a crowd. Set up all the ingredients buffet-style and let people customize their own. You could even provide tortilla shells so that real burritos can be made. 

There are so many other toppings that could be added. Here are a few I can think of:

• Shredded cheese
• Tortilla chips
• Queso
• Salsa
• Sour cream
• Guacamole

These also make excellent leftovers, so make a huge batch and you'll be set for lunches and dinners for the week.

If you're into colorful food, whole ingredients and the absence of weird chemicals, then this is the dish for you.

There are so many different flavors going on here, but they all come together so well. My mom even said, "my taste buds are dancing."

Go ahead and let your taste buds dance.

Enjoy!

Kaci