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burrito bowls

Burrito Bowls with Cilantro Pesto

Chelsea Colbath
Black beans and brown rice come together to make a customizable dinner that will please everyone!
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TOTAL TIME: 40 minutes
Time 50 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

Brown Rice

  • 1 cup brown rice my favs are jasmine and basmati
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Drizzle of olive oil

Black Beans

  • 2- 15 ounce cans black beans drained
  • 1/4 cup salsa
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon each of salt garlic powder, and paprika
  • 2 Tablespoons chopped cilantro

Cilantro Pesto

  • 1 cup of cilantro packed (about a large handful)
  • 1/2 a jalapeno
  • juice of 1 lime
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1/2 a ripe avocado
  • 2 Tablespoons pumpkin seeds can sub walnuts or almonds
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 Tablespoons water
  • 1/2 teaspoon each salt + pepper

Toppings

  • Cilantro Pesto
  • Sauteed onions and peppers
  • Salsa
  • Guacamole or avocado slices
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • Shredded cheddar
  • Sliced jalapeños
  • Tortilla Chips
  • Steamed broccoli

Instructions
 

Rice

  • 1. Put all rice ingredients into a medium pot on high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 40 minutes. Turn off heat and let rice continue to absorb liquid off the heat for 10 minutes. Rice can stay warm covered on the stove for up to 30 minutes. After that, you'll need to reheat it to serve. While the rice cooks, you can warm the beans, make cilantro pesto, and assemble all your toppings.

Beans

  • 1. Put all ingredients for beans except cilantro into a pot on medium heat. Once the beans start to bubble, turn the heat to low and let simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn off heat, and stir in cilantro. Serve immediately, or let sit covered on the stove to stay warm while you prepare the toppings.

Cilantro Pesto

  • 1. Put all ingredients except water into a blender or food processor. Blend until combined, scraping down the bowl as needed.
  • 2. Add in water and blend once more. If you'd like a thinner pesto, increase the water to 4 Tablespoons.
  • 3. Store in a sealed container in the fridge until all ingredients for the burrito bowls are ready, or up to 5 days.

Assembly

  • 1. Cut/prepare toppings of choice, and arrange in several bowls.
  • 2. Build your burrito bowls with rice and beans on the bottom, and your toppings of choice on top.

Notes

Use your favorite burrito toppings in addition to, or in place of, any of the suggestions above.