Tex-Mex Versatility: The Burrito

While the burrito has roots in Mexican culture, there’s no shortage of American takes on the dish with the general relevance of ‘Tex-Mex’ food made popular by various chain restaurants in the U.S. This simple dish and its variations are made from the usual fillings such as meat, cheese, rice, beans and veggies and has become a staple breakfast, lunch, or dinner option for many.

Included below is a quick recipe to make one yourself with easily accessible ingredients, however, first let’s go over the history of the burrito, it’s significance as a quick meal option, and the unique qualities that’s made it such a universal and ubiquitous food.

 

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History & Relevance

The burrito, as mentioned above has roots in Mexican culture and history, however, there is quite a bit of contention on when and where exactly it came from and how it got its name. What we do know, is that it made its way to the United States sometime in the 1930’s, then reaching widespread addition to the country’s cuisine at some point in the 1950’s [1] [2]. However, modern burritos are far different than their original counterparts, hence where the term ‘Tex-Mex’ comes from, as most tend to be more of an American spin on traditional Mexican cuisine [3].

As alluded to above, a burrito can realistically be made in any way with any ingredients, [4] which makes it a great option for anyone looking for a quick meal. This versatile, cheap, and filling dish is what has helped it achieve such cultural relevance and many people and restaurants continue to modify and get creative with this simple base [5].

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Nutrition Information

While a burrito can definitely exceed ones daily calorie limit by a fair margin, there are plenty of options to make a burrito a healthy start, or end to your day, including options for diets such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and even keto if done right.

However, with a traditional burrito you get a decent balance of healthy protein, fat, and carbs to help give you long-lasting energy throughout the day. Additionally, beans are fiber-rich, and the staple veggies such as guacamole, peppers, and corn have plenty of vitamin content for any health-conscious individual [6].

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The Burrito Recipe

Finally, let’s cover a quick and easy recipe you can use to make your own burrito. Feel free to adjust the recipe or add anything you desire, remember, these are heavily modifiable and can be adjusted to fit any diet or preference!

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Ingredients & Utensils Needed

• • • One tortilla (of any kind)

      

    • ½ cup of canned chicken (if available)
    • ½ cup of canned pinto beans
    • ½ cup of instant rice
    • ¼ cup of vegetables (corn and/or onions)
    • 1 tablespoon of hot sauce
    • A saucepan & a spoon
    • A pan & a spatula
    • A plate

Steps

1. 1. Gather the listed ingredients and utensils.
   2. Open and drain the canned ingredients if necessary.
   3. Pour ½ cup of beans into the saucepan and heat them over a stove on medium heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
   4. Add the vegetables and reduce heat to low, let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until heated through and season as desired.
   5. Prepare the instant rice by combining it and a cup of water in a covered, microwave-safe bowl, and microwaving it for several minutes.
   6. Combine the desired amount of rice, beans, vegetables, chicken (if applicable), and hot sauce on the tortilla.
   7. Fold the tortilla, heat it on a medium low heat pan for 30 seconds on each side, and enjoy!

The burrito is a simple food that can be adjusted in many ways. One neat trick is if you’re a busy person try making extras then freezing them, that way you can just pop any leftovers in the microwave for an even quicker meal option.

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Works Cited

[1] A. F. Smith, “TACOS, ENCHILADAS AND REFRIED BEANS: THE INVENTION OF MEXICAN-AMERICAN COOKERY,” 20 January 2011. [Online]. Available: https://web.archive.org/web/20120206165621/http://food.oregonstate.edu/ref/culture/latinamerica/mexico_smith.html. [Accessed 27 October 2024].

[2] J. M. Pilcher, Planet Taco: A Global History of Mexican Food, New York: Oxford University Press, 2012.

[3] A. Renee, “A Brief History Of The Burrito, A Tex-Mex Icon,” TheRecipe, 15 March 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.therecipe.com/a-brief-history-of-the-burrito-a-tex-mex-icon/. [Accessed 27 October 2024].

[4] G. L. McNamee, “Burrito,” Britannica, 31 October 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.britannica.com/topic/burrito. [Accessed 27 October 2024].

[5] “The History of the Burrito,” The Food We Know, [Online]. Available: https://thefoodweknow.com/the-history-of-the-burrito/. [Accessed 27 October 2024].

[6] Tufts University, “Delicious, Nutritious Mexican Food,” Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrion Science and Policy, 11 April 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.nutritionletter.tufts.edu/healthy-eating/delicious-nutritious-mexican-food/. [Accessed 27 October 2024].