Burritos have their origins from Mexico, a hearty Mexican delight filled with rice, vegetables and cheese eaten constantly throughout the day.

The Burrito is easily adaptable for the Sri Lankan palate since it incorporates rice, vegetables and loads of delectable spices. You can also eat it at anytime of the day, breakfast burrito with scrambled eggs and tomatoes or even a satisfying chicken burrito filled with succulents pieces of chicken and rice for lunch or dinner can spice up any ordinary rice meal. It’s also a great way to make you boring meal of rice and vegetables an exciting option for the kids. Lets have a burrito baby!

Ingredients

Onions

Garlic

Choice of meat, ground or shredded or grilled panner or tofu for the vegetarians

Mexican seasoning packet, if you are unable to acquire one of these, use seasoning of your choice

Bell pepper

*Tomato salsa

Rice

Shredded lettuce

Shredded cheese

Flour tortilla or gothamba roti

Method

In a large frying pan, put in a tablespoon of oil and fry the onions and garlic until golden, add your meat /tofu and the packet of Mexican seasoning. If you don’t have Mexican seasoning cook your meat according to your taste preference.  Lastly add the sliced bell pepers and cook for a few minutes.

*Tomato Salsa

Tomato Salsa can be made days in advance and jarred for when necessary. It can also be used as a side accompaniment for chips or topped on some roasted chicken. Chop a large quantity of tomatoes into tiny pieces, along with garlic and green chilies, place in a saucepan, add salt, pepper, vinegar and sugar. Add some water and bring to a boil until a chunky sauce texture is formed. Cool and put into a tight lid container.

For the fried rice, cook the rice of your choice in a stock cube, add some butter towards the end and mix through.

Now we are ready to assemble. Take your flour tortilla or gothamba roti, place a spoonful of the meat mixture, spoonful of rice, a big dollop of tomato salsa, handfuls of shredded lettuce and handful of shredded cheese. Roll the tortilla so the ingredients is safetly contained in its wrapping.

Place in the oven put some more shredded cheese on top and bake for about ten minutes. Add a dollop of sour cream or naturel yogurt and you’ve got mexico on a plate. Ole!

(Mayuri Jayasinghe)