This post is thwarting me, and I don’t like it.
I’ve started writing it three separate times, using three different angles, none of which I was really digging. Typically the words tend to pour out of my little phalanges, and that is just not happening here, which is a bit of a problem for me. Forced writing and I are not friends. In fact, I give that guy ‘The Look’ whenever I get a chance and follow it up with the always mature, sticking my tongue out. So there.
Granted, my brain isn’t helping either; instead it’s doing that thing where it can’t sit still for longer than a millisecond, before ping ponging onto the next topic. All the while, I’m trying to reel the chaos in, when I realize that’s part of my conundrum. Instead of controlling it, I need to embrace its spastic nature today and run with it, list style.
So strap on your seatbelts and get ready for a ride. This is sure to be a long and strange trip, without the drugs, the peace vans, the dancing bears or The Grateful Dead. Look at that, it’s weird already.
Things To Know About This Burrito Bowl
1) It came about as a result of my food hoarding ways. I blame Costco. They sell brown rice in twelve pound increments, which takes no consideration for the size when soaking wet. Um hello, double it. Then fluff it with a fork, and we’re talking triple the space.
2) As result of my larger than life supply, I’ve been on a brown rice bender lately, which means we’re now besties. I’m pretty sure the only way I could consume it faster would be if it came in an IV drip, and I’d really prefer to avoid needles. You understand.
3) I get a gold star for this recipe. Actually, I’d prefer champagne colored accolades because I like to be fancy when I’m not tucking my socks into my sweatpants.
4) Not only did I tap into my pantry for the rice, I incorporated my virgin canned tomatoes and diced Hungarian hot peppers which have been waiting patiently in my freezer since last summer. Stored CSA produce for the win.
5) This dish is ugly, as in โซ “U.G.L.Y., you ain’t got no alibi, you ugly, eh hey, you ugly,“โซ which is why I covered it in avocado, green onions and Chipotle cheese. Now it’s more visually appealing and also a helluva lot tastier too.
6) The texture nut in me loves the creaminess of the avocado, the crunch of the green onions and the saltiness of the spicy cheese. The black beans give it a protein boost and satisfies your fulfillment factor.
7) The canned tomatoes coupled with sautรฉed onions and peppers make this saucier than your typical burrito bowl, which is why it’s also better. Yeah, I said it.
8) This dish is incredibly versatile. Not only does this make for a spectacular bowl, it’s also phenomenal in an actual burrito. I polished off the leftovers last night in a flour tortilla, and I’m craving more already.
9) It’s also super flexible. You can mix and match your toppings to your heart’s content, swap hot peppers or even your grain and protein. Quinoa would be a great substitute for the rice and lentils could replace the beans.
10) The most important thing though is You Need To Make This and see for yourself how ridiculously good it is. I bet you’ll be asking for an IV drip in no time.
- 2 1/2 cups cooked Brown Rice
- 2 Tbsps. Olive Oil
- 1/2 Onion, Diced
- Salt and Pepper
- 1/2 Bell Pepper, Diced
- 1 Hungarian Hot Pepper, Diced
- 10 ounces, Canned Diced Tomatoes
- 15 ounces Black Beans
- 1 tsp. Hot Sauce of choice
- 1 tsp. Cilantro, dried
- 1/2 cup Chipotle Cheese, shredded
- 1/2 of an Avocado, diced
- 2 Green Onions, diced, white and green parts.
- Cook brown rice according to package directions.
- Heat black beans in medium saucepan. Drain before adding to the final product.
- Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onions, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and cook for a few minutes until translucent, about five minutes. Add bell peppers and hot pepper and cook for a few minutes more until soft. Add canned tomatoes, including the juice and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for fifteen minutes. Remove from heat.
- Add brown rice and drained black beans to tomato mixture. Add hot sauce and cilantro to entire thing, stirring to incorporate everything.
- Top individual bowls with green onions, avocado, and shredded cheese.
- This will keep in the fridge for up to a week. Also, it makes a great burrito filling as well as a burrito bowl.
Michele @ paleorunningmomma says
March 20, 2015 at 7:56 AMYum! I totally hear you on the forced writing, we are not friends either! I find that my recipe posts are sometimes the hardest to write because I’m not sure what angle to take. I wind up sounding probably a little crazy in some of those posts ๐ I love the idea of a burrito bowl, because let’s be honest, can anyone keep that thing in the wrap?
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Meghan says
March 21, 2015 at 10:38 AMI think I probably come off as a little crazy in all my posts, probably because I am. Oops.
For me, the secret to keeping a wrap closed is to toast the closed side on a skillet as soon as you’ve got it rolled. It helps seal it and keeps it closed.
Meghan recently posted…Chipotle Style Burrito Bowl Recipe
liz says
March 20, 2015 at 8:35 AMThat looks AMAZING! I’ve never made one so saucy before but those toppings are the gold (or champagne) standard in this house.
Meghan says
March 21, 2015 at 10:41 AMThe sauciness was my favorite part. Sloppy and delicious.
Meghan recently posted…Chipotle Style Burrito Bowl Recipe
meredith @ The Cookie ChRUNicles says
March 20, 2015 at 8:51 AMI can’t do forced writing either which is probably why planning out my posts never really works! I may have a loose plan but if I want to talk about something else, that’s what I go with. I end up with a draft full of thoughts that hopefully get used in some way at some point!
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Meghan says
March 21, 2015 at 10:41 AMI’m with you. I have trouble planning posts because I tend to just write with the flow. I’ve been trying to stick with a general outline which works about half the time. ๐
Meghan recently posted…Chipotle Style Burrito Bowl Recipe
Kirsten says
March 20, 2015 at 9:00 AMMeghan,
Looks terrific–and way to use the tomatoes! I’m glad inspiration struck for you.
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Meghan says
March 21, 2015 at 10:42 AMI’m loving these tomatoes. Will you please come back this summer so we can do it again?
Meghan recently posted…Chipotle Style Burrito Bowl Recipe
Tiff says
March 20, 2015 at 9:20 AMI’m a food hoarder too. I’ll buy a box/bag/whatever of something I want, but it takes me weeks to finish it. Then I’ll buy another box/bag/whatever the next week because it’s on sale. Ugh, it’s a problem. This recipe, on the other hand, is not a problem. And I want it…. now.
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Meghan says
March 21, 2015 at 10:43 AMYes, I think you would love this burrito bowl. You should make it.
Meghan recently posted…Chipotle Style Burrito Bowl Recipe
danielle says
March 20, 2015 at 9:38 AMthings i dig about this:
1) that you made a list, i love lists
2) phalanges. i love that word. shit i really love that word. phalanges.
3) you took me to another dimension which was purple and green and orange… cabbage, avocado, and cheese. don’t ask.
4) your number 6 made me read it twice because all i got the first time was “textured nuts” and then i was like…. ‘ yeahhhhhh textured nuts. wait gross. wait. nuts. yeahhhh’
5) the recipe seriously made me salivate. i’m still a little watery in the mouth region.
6) i might still be intoxicated from last night. it was a birthday party. i celebrated. a lot. there might have been a gang of hell’s angels at this bar. and i might have accepted a drink from their leader. my husband blessed it so it was okay.
7) unikitty
8)yes to all the burrito bowls forever. your bowls of burritos are my jam. and your canned tomatoes. toes.
Meghan says
March 21, 2015 at 10:44 AMThat birthday party sounds like a lot of fun. You did it up right.
Lists are my jam, not to be confused with actual bread and butter jam. ๐
Meghan recently posted…Chipotle Style Burrito Bowl Recipe
Suzy says
March 20, 2015 at 10:29 AMK, I’ll make it. See? You’re the only person that can actually convince me to cook. I hate cooking but you make it sound so fun and rewarding.
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Meghan says
March 21, 2015 at 10:45 AMPour yourself a glass of boxed wine, crank up some tunes and get your cook on. You won’t regret it, not if you make this.
Meghan recently posted…Chipotle Style Burrito Bowl Recipe
Kristy @ She Eats says
March 20, 2015 at 12:49 PMEvery time you break into song in a blog post, I stop reading to rock out and shake my bootay. My non-existent bootay. But my bootay none the less.
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Meghan says
March 21, 2015 at 10:46 AMI love you get my little song references that pepper all my posts.
Meghan recently posted…Chipotle Style Burrito Bowl Recipe
Khushboo says
March 20, 2015 at 1:08 PMYou had me at Chipotle ;)…this looks totally up my alley Meg! Burrito bowls are a favorite around here, at least a weekly staple! A few essential toppings are olives, avocado and salsa…and if dairy wasn’t an issue for me, grated cheese (preferably the Mexican blend) & Greek yogurt would be thrown into the mix too…mmmm just about to go to bed and thinking whether eating Mexican for breakfast tomorrow is acceptable ;)!
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Meghan says
March 21, 2015 at 10:47 AMI love the addition of olives to your burrito bowls. Mmmm, olives.
I’m going out for Latin American food tonight. You should come!!
Meghan recently posted…Chipotle Style Burrito Bowl Recipe
Jessica says
March 20, 2015 at 2:42 PMThis is my kind of food. I could probably eat this every dinner for a year and still look forward to it. Thanks for another kick ass recipe.
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Meghan says
March 21, 2015 at 10:50 AMYou are most welcome. I like making recipes, especially those described as kick ass. You rock!
Meghan recently posted…Chipotle Style Burrito Bowl Recipe
lindsay says
March 20, 2015 at 7:23 PMcan i just say i love you more for this. Costco be damned, I cannot hoard any more food unless it’s put to use… SO THANK YOU.
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Meghan says
March 21, 2015 at 10:50 AMYeah, I’m pretty sure I shouldn’t buy any more grains until I make my way through all my pantry items first. It’s a problem. Ha!!
Meghan recently posted…Chipotle Style Burrito Bowl Recipe
Chelsea @ Chelsea's Healthy Kitchen says
March 21, 2015 at 6:59 PMHomemade burrito bowls are pretty much a weekly staple for me! I usually just have plain brown rice, but I like your version where you mix it all together. That sounds good! My go-to toppings are guacamole, 2 or 10% Greek yogurt, and crushed tortilla chips.
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Meghan says
March 22, 2015 at 9:05 AMI think using the canned tomatoes takes it to another level. Granted it’s a sloppier, less attractive level, but the taste is so on point.
Great toppings. Hope the move is going successful today.
Meghan recently posted…Chipotle Style Burrito Bowl Recipe
Brittany says
March 21, 2015 at 9:27 PMPPPFFTTT this is FAR from ugly. It looks like a big pool of toot inducing complex carbs that I want to dive into face first.
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Meghan says
March 22, 2015 at 9:06 AMWhat a perfectly apt and beautiful description.
Meghan recently posted…Chipotle Style Burrito Bowl Recipe
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
March 22, 2015 at 4:45 AMSounding redundant but your photos are delicious and I love how you used condiments to make it sexy. I should have covered those brown rice pizza muffins in even more cheese and set them on fire.
Forced posts = I just can’t. I tried once and deleted it instantly. Fail whale.
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Meghan says
March 22, 2015 at 9:07 AMWell a little more cheese certainly never hurts. ๐
Meghan recently posted…Chipotle Style Burrito Bowl Recipe
Trish says
March 22, 2015 at 7:48 AMThat sounds so hood and filling! Thanks for sharing.
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Meghan says
March 22, 2015 at 9:08 AMYou’re most welcome. I hope you give it a whirl and then come back and let me know what you think.
Meghan recently posted…Chipotle Style Burrito Bowl Recipe
Shelly says
March 22, 2015 at 11:08 AMYou crack me up! I love a good burrito bowl! I also throw some corn and lettuce in mine. And greek yogurt on top! I might have to rethink my dinner plans now…
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Meghan says
March 22, 2015 at 8:20 PMWell I’m thrilled I made you laugh. My work here is done.
Anneli says
November 9, 2015 at 11:40 AMI love one bowl meals! This looks really good and I have exactly that huge bag of Costco brown rice you’re talking about ๐ It’s crazy with all the recipe blogs and boards I follow I’m still at a loss for what to make for dinner sometimes. I think it’s because many times it calls for a shopping trip for a lot of ingredients I don’t have on hand. But, this one hit the nail on the head. I have everything but that Hungarian pepper, but, I have regular ones. I think I’ll add some shredded chicken to my husbands and sons bowl too, but, for my daughter and I this is perfect. Thanks for another great dinner recipe. Dinner tonight!
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Meghan says
November 9, 2015 at 8:47 PMI love this recipe. It’s one where both the Hubby and I went away really happy. I hope you love it too. It’s become a staple around these parts. Throw it all in a pot and call it done. Oh and good too. ๐
Can’t wait to hear what you think.
Anneli says
November 18, 2015 at 9:50 PMIt’s delicious!! I’m eating some right now! I was checking the recipe on your site for the 2nd time making it. Today it was requested by my husband. I add some chicken to his, otherwise, it’s just as you prescribe ๐ Comfort food!
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Meghan says
November 19, 2015 at 6:08 AMI love it’s become a repeat recipe in your house too. That just makes my day, my evening and my week. It’s also makes me want to have this for dinner tonight. ๐
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Vicky Cristina says
March 22, 2017 at 10:46 PMThis is exactly what I needed to get out of my lunch rut! Thank you!!!! <3๏ปฟ
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Meghan says
March 23, 2017 at 10:34 AMThank YOU. I had forgotten about this recipe and it’s soooo good. I’m gonna have to make it again soon.