My own “Burritos”

I’m finally settled in London and actively looking for a job in the financial sector… Hence my cooking has been relayed to second place…

However, my new kitchen is really cool and modern so I believe I will be playing with it a lot.

Decided to start with a recipe I used to make after a night out. Red beans and meat, wrapped in a tortilla and covered with grated cheese! I know some people who will argue that this recipe is not truly a burritos’ recipe (yes… you know who you are…) but I usually call it that to simplify. Whatever you may call it, it is  really filling and good!

Bean and Meat Burritos (serves 2)

• 1/2 red onion
• 1 garlic clove
• 4 tbsp of olive oil
• 2 medium sized tomatoes
• 8 tbsp of tomato passata
• 200 g of pork minced meat
• 1 small can of red kidney beans (240 g net)
• 2 plain tortilla wraps
• salt, pepper and chilli powder
• 1 cup of grated cheddar cheese

1. Chop the onion and the garlic thinly and cook, in low fire, with the olive oil in a non-stick frying pan.
2. Wash the tomatoes and chop them. When the onion and garlic are soft, add the tomatoes and cook in low fire until the tomatoes smash under pressure of a spoon.
3. Season with salt, pepper and chilli powder. You can also use real sliced chillies in case you want a hotter burrito.
4. Add the tomato passata and the minced meat. Let it cook for approximately 5 minutes. If the sauce dries too much, add some more tomato passata.
5. Open the beans’ tin and drain the water. Add the beans to the meat and cook for approximately 15-20 minutes, until the beans are getting soft. Correct the seasoning if needed with salt, pepper and chilli powder.
6. Pre-heat the oven at 180ºC.
7. Place each tortilla in a plain and clean surface and pour half the beans and meat mixture in the centre of each tortilla. Save four  tbsp of this mixture to decorate the burritos.
8. Cover the beans and meat mixture with grated cheese, saving some cheese to decorate the burritos.
9. Close the burritos by folding first one side to the centre, and than the other. Finally, close the ends of the burrito by folding the edges. You will get a rectangular shaped burrito.
10. Place the two burritos in an oven tray. Top each burrito with some grated cheese, two tbsp of the beans and meat mixture, and some more grated cheese.
11. Place in the oven and cook until the cheese is completely melted and the tortilla gets crunchier.
12. Serve with a good and fresh salad.