A BURRITO BOWL, NATURALLY

I love burritos.  I love burritos so much that if you and I were on a first date and the conversation turned to Mexican food, which it would, obviously, and you said something crazy like “I don’t really like burritos” then I’d be all “OMG this date is over right now” really dramatically like, in my head.  I’d scramble to make up an excuse about a family emergency, or a dramatic onset of the influenza happening RIGHT NOW.  And then I’d leave, even if I thought you were dead sexy, and I’d know in my heart I’d done the right thing.  I could never share my life with someone that doesn’t love burritos, its an ABSOLUTE DEAL BREAKER.  {more after the jump}

You know what’s almost as good as a burrito?  Hot sauce.  Also, burrito bowls.  There you have it.  And if you don’t like burritos, you know where the door is!  (I’m kind of kidding.  Kind of.)  xx- Sarah

INGREDIENTS:

Makes 2 bowls, with some various leftovers

1 cup brown rice

1 cup uncooked black beans (or one can of cooked beans)

3 cloves of garlic, crushed

1 red onion, diced

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 avocado

coconut oil

sea salt

limes, cilantro, shredded cabbage, hot sauce

METHOD:

– Soak brown rice and black beans (separately) overnight.

– Drain and rinse black beans.  Place in a large heavy bottomed pot and fill with water to about 1-2 inches above the beans.  Add garlic.  Bring to a boil and then reduce to medium-low and simmer until cooked through (time will vary greatly depending on beams, length of soaking time, temperature, etc).  Add salt when beans have cooked, to taste.

– Cook brown rice according to package instructions (in a rice cooker 1 cup to 1 3/4 cups water)

– In a cast iron skillet saute onion in coconut oil until softened.  Add red pepper and cook an additional 1-2 minutes.  Add 3 cups of rice and combine, cooking until the peppers are to your liking.  Season with salt to taste.

– In serving bowls combine brown rice and black beans, top with avocado and shredded cabbage.  Add generous amounts of cilantro and fresh squeezed lime juice.  Serve hot, with hot sauce.  Enjoy!

* I know you’re dying to know where that geometric napkin is from…and even if you weren’t, you should probably head over here anyway and check out my friend Sarah’s picnic and homewares line A Sunny Afternoon Co.  You won’t be sorry.