Simple Bean-Rice or Bean-Rice-Cheese Burritos

These are my very favorite burritos. You can make them with cheese, or make them vegan with just beans and rice. The possible additions are many: avocado, salsa, sour cream, olives, tomatoes, lettuce, green onion... I like them plain best, served with chips and salsa and maybe a salad on the side. You can make any amount of the fillings depending upon how many people you are feeding. You can just use this recipe as a base.

For the rice: I just cook regular rice according to the package directions but substitute half the water with tomato juice or spicy V-8. I also add in a bit of chili powder and some onion powder. You can add hot sauce to taste. If you are using long cooking rice you can add in some diced bell pepper, fresh tomato, and onion, and cook those along with the rice.

The beans are canned pintos beans, drained and rinsed and heated with some V-8 or water to keep them moist. To season them I add chili powder, a little cumin, onion powder, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Or, you can use some pre-mixed taco seasoning.

It's neat to make a burrito bar if you are feeding a bunch of people. Just set out the fillings, tortillas, and toppings and let people make their own burritos. As long as you keep the spice to a minimum, these are good to serve kids.