Make Your Own Burritos

As we all try to cut our food budgets during trying times it is sometimes a relief to find a dinner that is both enjoyable and inexpensive. I came across such a one the other night. It was time for "Make Your Own Burritos" night here. p1020359p1020357We bought flour tortillas that are low in sodium and a good deal from Walmart. These can be stored in the freezer to make wraps, soft tacos, burritos and pizza, so they are important in our house.  Calories each are 120 and sodium is 110 mg. Next, we cooked some ground chicken breast that we found on sale along with some onions:p1020350After cooking until completely done, we seasoned with chili powder, oregano, cumin and coriander and then added some fresh lime juice. Then we ground it in the food processor to make it resemble the fine texture of ground beef that is a lot higher in fat. p1020356Next up is the roasted salsa:p1020351This is made by broiling 3 plum tomatoes, one onion and a sweet or hot pepper (your choice) then grinding them in the food processor along with lemon juice and chopped cilantro. This makes a tasty salsa that is inexpensive and very low in sodium compared to prepared ones you find in the store.Next was a simple bean dip made with no-salt-added pinto beans, a touch of tomato paste,  cumin, garlic powder and chili powder (add those to taste):p1020354Brown rice was made in the rice cooker and served to use as a filler for the burritos or a side dish - diner's choice.  Creativity and choice is what is fun about this meal!p1020353So, diners had a choice of a large tossed salad, fresh-made salsa, tortillas, brown rice, ground chicken breast, bean dip and fat-free sour cream for their burritos. It was a festive meal that was made fun by passing all the bowls and making fun creations. Enjoy!

Judy Doherty, MPS, PCII

Judy Doherty, MPS, PCII discovered her love of cooking at her grandmother's side, stirring raisin oatmeal on a Saturday morning. By 15 she had her first food service job. At 18 she was accepted to the Culinary Institute of America, where she graduated second in her class, then went on to the Fachschule Richemont in Switzerland to study pastry arts and baking. A decade with Hyatt Hotels followed before she founded Food and Health Communications with a single conviction: food that is good for you should taste extraordinary.

Judy holds a Master of Professional Studies in Food Business from the Culinary Institute of America, a Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts from Johnson and Wales University (Summa Cum Laude), two art certificates from UC Berkeley Extension, and the CIA's Pro Chef II certification. She has earned the American Culinary Federation Bronze Medal, Gold Medal, and ACF Chef of the Year award.

Today she develops every recipe on this site, shoots and styles food through her food photography and motion studio, and publishes nutrition education materials for dietitians, schools, extension offices, and health professionals through nutritioneducationstore.com. She uses the latest nutritional science and Dietary Guidelines to drive her creativity — whether that means a new twist on fajitas or Italian brownies made with toasted nuts and cooked honey. Her mission has never changed: help everyone make food that tastes as good as it is for them.

https://nutritioneducationstore.com
Previous
Previous

Roast Once, Serve Three Times

Next
Next

Menu Planning Saves Time, Money