General Philosophy of the Burrito

Every burrito is a tortilla filled with some prescribed acceptable fillings. Generally, 
the filling includes meat such as pork, beef, or chicken, but also often includes beans 
and/or rice.

Ingredients

Necessary Ingredients

    * large flour tortilla
    * filling

Possible Fillings

    * meat
          o pork
          o lean ground or shredded beef
          o ground or shredded chicken
          o Chorizo - a Spanish sausage

    *
          o Picadillo (Mexican meat and potato filling)
          o cooked and shredded fish
    * vegetables
          o beans/pulses - e.g. pinto beans, black beans, refried beans
          o crushed tomatoes
          o sliced black olives
          o lettuce
          o avocados
          o onions
          o garlics

	

    * grains
    * rice (usually Mexican rice)
    * dairy
          o shredded mild cheddar
          o Sour cream
    * spices / flavorings
          o cumin - about 1 to 4 teaspoons per pound / 500g of filling
          o salt
          o oregano - about ¼ to ½ teaspoon per pound of filling
          o black pepper
          o chilis
          o salsa
          o guacamole sauce

See below for more unusual ideas.

Procedure

Beans

   1. If using dried beans, wash them and examine them for any rocks, then soak 
overnight in plenty of water. Discard the soak water before cooking - your pot plants 
will love it!
   2. Cook the beans until soft:
          * If using a stove-top method, simmer them in lots of water until they are 
very soft. You'll need to cook the beans a very long time on very low heat. You may add 
salt or black pepper to the water. You may add onion halves or a ham bone, which you 
can remove at the end. Changing the water from time to time will reduce the risk of 
gas. Expect the cooking to take at least 3 hours, if not 6 or more.
          * If using a pressure cooker, place the beans and some flavoring (typically 
salt) in enough water to cover all the beans fully, and bring to pressure. Keep the 
pressure for about 20 minutes, turn off the heat, and let the pressure fall naturally 
(about 15 minutes).

Rice

   1. If using rice, cook as steamed rice (usually 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of 
rice)
   2. Rinse rice well, until the water runs clear
   3. Add 2 cups of water per cup of rice, and bring to a boil, then reduce to the 
lowest heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
   4. Set aside with the lid secured, for at least 5 minutes before use.

All fillings

   1. Get a large wide pot or tall-sided frying pan.
   2. Sauté any onion or garlic in a little oil.
   3. Add uncooked meats to the pan and fry, stirring to ensure it browns all over. If 
using a ground (minced) meat, break it up as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.
   4. Add any other well-cooked meat or beans. You'll might want to smash the beans, 
perhaps with a potato masher. When using beans alone, you might want to add up to 20% 
home-rendered lard (lard substitutions are obvious, but will lack flavor).
   5. Add spices and other flavorings as necessary.
   6. Add tomatoes, and cooked rice if using it. Reduce the heat. Simmer in open pan 
for about 40 minutes or until the liquid from the tomatoes is gone.
   7. Soften the tortillas by heating them up. Use a small amount of oil to prevent 
sticking, if heating in a pan that isn't non-stick. Cover with aluminum foil if heating 
them in an oven, to protect the tortillas from moisture loss.
   8. Place the filling mixture onto a tortilla. Add non-cooked fillings like cheese, 
olives, avocados, shredded lettuce, salsa.
   9. Roll up the tortilla. (and then make the next one, and so on)

Rolling

   1. Position your tortilla flat on a suitable surface such as a kitchen counter top. 
(12-inch tortillas are suggested. If you can find bigger tortillas, use them!)
   2. Place your fillings on the flat tortilla in any order.
   3. Fold the bottom flap up. Ensure that there is a sufficient amount of tortilla 
used for the flap. A small flap will allow the fillings to escape, possibly falling in 
your lap and burning you.
   4. Bring the side up and over your filling. Tucking the edge of the tortilla under 
your filling is an excellent extra step.
   5. Create a small fold with the remaining side of the tortilla. This is the key to 
maintaining burrito integrity. Failure is a given if you do not follow this step! (The 
small, diagonal flap is an extra "lock" for the bottom flap of the tortilla… without 
it, the weight of the filling has the power to force the bottom flap right out of 
itself.)
   6. Bring the remaining tortilla flap over the filling. Eat with confidence, though 
the fillings may be very hot.
   7. And remember to sing, "... Taco-flavoured kisses! Taco, taco, burrito, burrito." 
Actual lyrics may vary depending on language, way in which the burritos are being 
prepared, or feelings toward the burrito.

Variation

The filling might be changed to involve any of the following:

    * mushrooms
    * Anaheim chiles (mild canned green chiles)
    * Jalapeño pepper (spicier chiles)
    * dried mild red chili peppers
    * fresh diced onions
    * fresh chopped garlic
    * shredded cabbage
    * other shredded cheeses such as jack, soft Mexican cheese (Queso Blanco, Oaxaca, 
or Asadero) or other Farmer cheese
    * cilantro
    * oil
    * chili powder
    * black pepper
    * small Shrimp (Camarones)
    * Just about any other meat. Common ingredients in Mexican burritos include fried 
pork, fried fish, beef tongue, beef brains, birria (goat meat), tripe, and chicharrones 
(fried pork rinds, stewed)

Burritos, tacos, egg rolls, tamales, and vegetable wraps have similar construction. The 
fillings and shells can be interchanged as desired.