Make Ahead Burritos Or Chimichangas Food

MAKE-AHEAD BURRITOS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, combine the meat, salsa, beans, chilies, seasoning and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until heated through., Spoon about 1/3 cup off-center on each tortilla; top with a cheese strip. Fold edge of tortilla nearest filling over to cover. Fold ends of tortilla over filling and roll up. Wrap individually in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months., To use frozen burritos: Place foil packets on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 50 minutes or until heated through. If thawed, bake for 25-30 minutes.

BAKED CHIMICHANGA BREAKFAST BURRITOS WITH AVOCADO-TOMATO-WATERCRESS SALSA

Steps:

• For the black beans: Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds. Add the beans, 1/2 cup water, and the chipotle and cook, stirring occasionally, until the water is reduced and beans are heated through and soft, about 20 minutes. Use a potato masher to mash the beans into a chunky paste. Taste, and season with salt as necessary. Stir in the cilantro, and then spread on a baking sheet to cool.
• For the salsa: Put the avocados, tomatoes, green onions, serrano and some salt and pepper in a large bowl and fold together. Fold in the lime juice, oil, cilantro and watercress. Set aside.
• For the chorizo filling: Heat the oil in a large skillet until it begins to shimmer. Add the chorizo and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 8 minutes, stirring a few times. With a slotted spoon, remove the sausage to a paper-towel-lined plate.
• Add the onions and peppers to the pan drippings and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 8 minutes. If the chorizo is in large chunks, chop it coarsely, then stir it into the onions and peppers. Add the eggs, and scramble until soft curds form. Season with salt and pepper, then stir in the cilantro and remove from the heat.
• To assemble: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Brush a nonstick baking sheet with some oil. Spread a thin layer of the beans across the center of a tortilla, leaving a 1-inch border. Top with some of the chorizo filling and a handful of Monterey Jack. Fold in the sides of the tortilla, and then roll from the bottom into a tight cylinder. Place seam-side down on the baking sheet and repeat with remaining tortillas, beans, filling and cheese. Brush the tops and sides of the burritos with canola oil, and bake until golden brown and crispy, about 7 minutes. Transfer to a platter, and top with Avocado-Tomato-Watercress Salsa, cotija and cilantro leaves. Garnish the platter with lime wedges.

MAKE-AHEAD BREAKFAST BURRITOS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add the potatoes, onion and pepper; cook and stir for 6-8 minutes or until tender. Add eggs; cook and stir until set., Spoon filling off center on each tortilla. Sprinkle with cheese. Fold sides and ends over filling and roll up. Serve with picante sauce and sour cream if desired., To freeze and reheat burritos: Wrap each burrito in waxed paper and foil. Freeze for up to 1 month. To use, remove foil and waxed paper. Place 1 burrito on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high for 2 to 2-1/4 minutes or until a thermometer reads 165°, turning burrito over once. Let stand for 20 seconds.

MAKE AHEAD CHIMICHANGAS

Steps:

• Using two forks, shred cooked meat or chicken (should have about 3 cups).
• In a large skillet combine meat or chicken, salsa, beans, undrained chili peppers, and seasoning mix.
• Cook and stir over medium heat until heated through.
• In another skillet heat tortillas, one at a time, over medium-low heat about 30 seconds per side.
• For each chimichanga, place 1/3 cup meat mixture atop a tortilla, near one edge.
• Top with a cheese stick.
• Fold in sides; roll up, starting with cheese side.
• Bake, covered, in 350 degree F.
• oven for 30 minutes.
• Uncover and bake 10 minutes more or until heated through.
• Serve with salsa, dairy sour cream, and hot cooked rice, if desired.
• Make-Ahead Tip: To freeze, place chimichangas in freezer containers.
• Seal, label, and freeze for up to 6 months.
• To prepare, wrap frozen chimichangas individually in foil.
• Bake in a 350 degree F.
• oven about 50 minutes or until heated through.
• (Or, thaw chimichangas in refrigerator overnight. Bake about 30 minutes.) Unwrap.
• Bake 10 minutes more or until tortilla is crisp and brown.
• Or, heat about 1/4-inch depth of oil in a skillet.
• Cook desired number of frozen chimichangas, uncovered, in hot oil about 25 minutes (about 18 minutes if thawed) over medium-low heat or until golden, turning often.

MAKE-AHEAD BURRITOS OR CHIMICHANGAS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In large skillet, combined meat, salsa, beans, undrained chilies, and seasoning mix. Cook and stir over medium heat until heated through.
• In second skillet, heat tortillas, one at a time, about 30 seconds per side. For each burrito/chimichanga, place 1/3 cup meat mixture atop a tortilla, near one edge. Top with a cheese stick. Fold sides in, roll up starting with cheese side. Wrap individually in foil.
• To store for later: At this point, place wrapped burritos/chimichangas in plastic zip bags, label and freeze for up to 6 months.
• To prepare from frozen: Bake desired number in preheated 350 oven for 50 minutes or until heated through. For burritos: Bake additional 10 minutes in foil. Serve with toppings. For chimichangas: Unwrap and place on baking sheet, bake additional 10 minutes until tortillas are crisp - OR - fry in 1/4" oil in large fry pan, turning and cooking until golden and crisp.
• To prepare from thawed, reduce initial baking time to 30 minutes.
• Serve with toppings of your choice: sour cream, guacamole, diced green onions, salsa or shredded cheese.
• Makes 16.

MAKE-AHEAD BURRITOS

Steps:

• Combine rice, water, and taco seasoning in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until tender, 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool; it will be soggy.
• Combine black beans, pinto beans, corn, salsa, onion, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper in a large bowl; toss to mix. Mix in cooked rice, Cheddar, and Monterey Jack.
• Divide the bean-rice mixture evenly among the tortillas and roll up.
• Spray a cookie sheet lightly with cooking spray. Lay tortillas in a single layer on the cookie sheet and place in the freezer until fully frozen, about 2 hours. Wrap each tortilla in plastic wrap or foil and place in a large zip-top bag to store in the freezer until ready to use.