Upscale Versions Of The "Basics", Part 2

Burritos are a menu staple at pretty much every Mexican-esque restaurant. I say “-esque” because Taco Bell or Moe's are the closest many people get to authentic Mexican food. Frankly, I don't care how authentic something is as long as it tastes good.

Easy Burritos-makes 8

2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken or beef

1 8-oz package seasoned black beans

1 cup pico de gallo

½ cup uncooked Spanish rice

1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

½ cup sour cream (optional)

8 flour burrito tortillas

Prepare rice and beans according to the instructions on the package. Once the rice is done, fluff it with a fork and add the chicken and cilantro. Warm up the tortillas in the microwave and put ¼ cup of the chicken mixture in the middle of each tortilla and add the beans and pico. If you would like, add a bit of sour cream. Fold the edges of the tortilla toward the chicken, starting with the edge closest to you. Now, fold the sides up until the burrito is completely wrapped and cut in half. Serve.

If you don't care for or have any Spanish rice, you can use regular white rice. For some extra flavor, you could also squeeze the juice of a medium-sized lime into the rice.

Finally, here's a hamburger variety no restaurant has ever served!
Hamburger Cookies-makes 24 cookies
48 vanilla wafers
24 thin mint cookies
¼ cup flaked coconut
1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)
4 drops green food coloring


Preheat the oven to 350 F. Put half of the wafers on an ungreased cookie sheet flat side up. Add a mint cookie to each wafer and bake until the chocolate is just melted, about 1 minute. Meanwhile, combine the food coloring, coconut and a bit of water in a bowl and stir. Put about ½ tsp coconut on each patty and gently press a second wafer on top.
The coconut is for the lettuce. I wonder if red-hots or cinnamon mints could be used for tomatoes? Red-tinted frosting for the ketchup? I'm not sure what could be used for cheese, but feel free to experiment.
If you prefer “sesame-seed buns” on your hamburgers, you can brush a small amount of water onto the top wafer and add some seeds. It's all up to you.


Enjoy, and save me some of that chicken Parmesan!