California burrito is a classic dish from the US West Coast cuisine. There are several variations, but the basic recipe is the same: meat, cheese, fried potatoes and guacamole, all wrapped in a warm tortilla. It is often served with beef or chicken, but you can substitute these ingredients to make a vegan dish. The doses indicated in this article allow to obtain 6 servings.
Ingrediants
- 700 g of flank or chicken, marinated, cooked and chopped
- Sour cream (to taste)
- Guacamole (homemade or bought)
- A plate of fries, 5-15 per burrito (they should be large and soft, not crunchy and thin)
- 250 g of cheddar or to taste
- 1 tortilla per burrito
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Prepare the Ingredients
Step 1. Marinate the meat
To start, mix the seasonings in a large bowl with a lid: 6 chopped garlic heads, ½ cup chopped coriander leaves, the juice of 3 limes and 1 lemon, 1 teaspoon of cumin, a pinch of salt and pepper.. Mix it well. Place the flask in the bowl and coat it with the spices. Cover the container and put it in the fridge. Let it marinate for at least an hour, but not overnight.
Step 2. Cook the meat
Lightly grease the grates of an outdoor grill. Heat it over medium-high heat. Remove the meat from the marinade and season (lightly) on both sides with salt and pepper. Cook it on the grill (turning it once) until it has reached the desired cooking point. When cooked, remove it from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes. Slice it finely by making a cut perpendicular to the direction of the fibers.
Step 3. Make the guacamole
You will need 3 ripe (peeled and pitted) avocados, 1 lime juice, 1 teaspoon of salt, ½ cup diced onion, 3 tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro, 1 teaspoon of chopped fresh garlic and a pinch of cayenne pepper. To start, mash the avocados in a medium bowl. Squeeze the juice from the lime and season it with the salt. Add onion, cilantro, garlic, and cayenne pepper. Once ready, cover the guacamole and store it in the fridge until you need to make the burrito.
If you don't want to make guacamole from scratch, you can use a ready-made one, but you can also simply slice the avocado and use it to fill the burrito. This fruit (in any form) is essential for making a California burrito
Step 4. Prepare the fries.
You can buy frozen and pre-cut ones or make them from scratch. Spread them on a large baking sheet in a single layer and put them in the oven. You can also fry them. Choose the cooking method according to your preferences and the instructions on the package (if you use frozen ones).
Method 2 of 2: Stuff the Burrito
Step 1. Reheat the tortilla to soften it
Place it on a gas cooker stove for 5-10 seconds or lightly heat it in a skillet. If you're in a hurry, try putting it in the microwave for 30 seconds, or fold it into 4 parts and let it brown lightly in a toaster.
If you place the tortilla directly on a gas stove, be very careful to make sure it doesn't catch fire. Don't lose sight of it and don't leave the kitchen until you're done reheating
Step 2. Stuff the burrito
Spread the tortilla out on a flat surface. Place a layer of filling starting from one edge of the tortilla, covering it by about 2/3. Make a thin layer with hot refried beans, hot chopped meat, cheese, hot rice, avocado, salsa, grated cheese, a little sour cream. The filling should have a maximum width of 3-5 cm and a maximum height of 3 cm. If the burrito is too stuffed, you risk not being able to close it.
Step 3. Roll up the burrito
Fold the corners towards the center, then grab it at the bottom and roll it up. To close it properly, try to tuck and pin the edges into the crease. Before doing this, it may help to wet a finger with water and run it along the edge.
Repeat with all burritos. At this point you can serve them immediately or toast them in a pan
Step 4. Try baking the burrito in a pan to lightly brown the sides, set the crease and make the tortilla crispier
To start, grease a large skillet with cooking spray and adjust the heat to medium-high. Place the burritos on the pan with the crease part on the cooking surface. Cook them until they are golden and crisp on the bottom. Then, flip them over and cook them until they are on the other side as well. The process should take 2-3 minutes per side.
