Spicy Chipotle Burrito Bowls

I was just planning tomorrow night's dinner when I realized I've been sitting on these pictures for a while. Thursdays are busy here and everyone generally gets home late and we like to pile in the living room and watch sitcoms together. This meal has become sort of a Thursday night tradition for us. A build your own burrito bowl meal is easy and fun. They're a snap to prep in advance and everyone can customize their own meal.  Of course we got this idea from Chipotle which is one of our favorite places to eat. Their food is high quality and delicious and their staff is incredibly careful with gluten free orders. But we can't eat there every night. =D

A typical spread looks like this:

I prepare all the toppings and keep them in the fridge until serving.  This time there was just shredded cheese, guacamole, salsa, radishes, cilantro and hot sauce. Sometimes we'll grill something to add to the mix - it's really flexible.  The beans can be canned or home cooked and black or pinto - up to you.

The only two real recipes for this meal are simple.  Let's start with the rice. One cup of dry rice will expand to approximately three cups of cooked rice.  Double or triple as necessary and keep warm until serving.

Cilantro Lime Rice:

1 cup Basmati Rice cooked according to directions on package.

When cooked, fluff with fork and add:

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1/4 Cup Lime Juice
1 Cup Chopped Cilantro (or more, to taste)
Salt to taste

The veggies take only minutes to prepare if you have everything sliced and ready to saute. I usually start cooking them once everyone is actually home because they are so quick.


Chipotle Spiced Veggie Saute

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
10 ounces Baby Bella Mushrooms, pre-sliced
2 medium squash, yellow or zucchini, cut into matchstick sized pieces
2 large Bell Peppers, cut in slices
1 large Onion, cut in slices
2 cloves Garlic minced
1/2 teaspoon Chipotle Powder (optional but tasty)
Salt and Pepper to taste

Heat pan to medium and add everything but salt and pepper at once.  Saute until everything is just cooked through but not too soft and season to taste.

Call everyone in the kitchen and let them serve themselves.

Enjoy!