Healthy Burrito Bowl

For all those readers just interested in the food and not the food facts/story, skip down to the first picture and it will take you to the recipe! For those ready for the full crazy adventure....let's do this.

This has become one of my go to lunches and I just have to share! You get your chips and salsa fix but with healthy benefits. I have to give credit where credit is due though- We visited our friends to meet their new baby and they made this for us for dinner. I will admit, I was surprised when I first saw the combination of flavors. I never would have thought to pair them together. As soon as I took a bite, it won me over! It is delicious!!!!! Our friend got the recipe from a website called the minimalistbaker.com. On the website she makes it as a stuffed sweet potato with some added sweeteners like maple syrup and things. I  don't think it needs any of that and tastes just like a burrito bowl without it! So today we are going to talk about our friends/my twist on the recipe.

If there are any readers out there going- ehhhh sweet potatoes?! I don't know about that tasting yummy as a burrito bowl....I totally get it! But here is the biggest proof of all- my husband likes it! He has asked for it on multiple occasions and we had leftovers easily accessible as different lunch option. Leftovers with MEAT in it! And, for the record, we can't pass a Taco Bell anywhere without my husband making mmmmm noises and talking about how much he loves burritos and tacos and nachos and and and. So for him to love this healthy sweet potato and quinoa alternative, you know it has to taste good!!

I thought about making this a longer way so that it would look a little better in the blog pictures. Ya know, all food art-like. But here's the thing, I could roast the potatoes and cut them into nice even semicircles and place them in layers under the toppings to make it all cute. OR I could give you the no kidding burrito bowl mess that tastes amazing and takes no time at all to make! I went with the latter. I mean part of its charm is how easy and fast you can make this! It's a breeze! Especially after you have the quinoa and sauce made for the next time. Suuuuper awesomely fast for such a healthy little meal!!

So before we go into the how, let's go into the why:

(The listed information is from the book 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life by David Grotto R.D.)

-Sweet Potato. Sweet potatoes contain an excellent source of vitamin A and beta-carotene, a good source of vitamin C, vitamin B, manganese, potassium, fiber, may help to fight cancer, and aid in stabilizing blood sugar.

-Quinoa. Finally getting back to this awesome grain since our first food blog- Quinoa contains more protein than any other grain and contains all of the essential amino acids! Wow! Quinoa contains iron, potassium, vitamin B, magnesium, folic acid, may aid in fighting cancer, is anti-inflammatory, helps to keep you feeling full (therefore weight management), anddddd inhibits cholesterol absorption. If you are ever pondering what side dish to make, choose quinoa!!!

-Avocado. Avocados contain heart healthy monounsaturated fats, protein, potassium, magnesium, folic acid, vitamin B, vitamin E, vitamin K, antioxidants, stabilize blood sugar, may aid in lowering cholesterol, may help in fighting cancer, eye problems, gum disease, and heart disease.

-Cilantro. Cilantro contains antioxidants, iron, magnesium, manganese, may assist in lowering cholesterol, is antibacterial, aids in digestion, and helps to fight cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

-Lime. I am so glad these are good for you because I LOVE LIMES! Limes contain strong antioxidants, vitamin C, boost the immune system, help to fight cancer, and have antibiotic effects.

Now time for the how! This is just like a burrito bowl in that you can add or subtract whatever flavors you want! Want some spicy peppers? Throw them in there! Don't want sour cream? Leave it out! It's pretty versatile which you will see in the directions. Annnnnnd today I'm making it with a microwave. Even easier! (Although feel free to use an oven if you prefer!) so let's get started!!

Ingredients:

-1 Sweet Potato - I am making 2 servings so I have 2 potatoes
-1 Cup of Quinoa
-Shredded Cheese
-Salsa
-1 Avocado
-2 Limes
-1/2 Cup of Cilantro
-Drizzle of Olive Oil
-Water
-Sour Cream
-Wild Roots Red Quinoa Chia Chips
-Pinch of Salt
Microwavable Bowl
Sauce Pan/Rice Cooker
Blender or Food Processor
Cook Time: 15 minutes when you need to make the quinoa, 5-7 minutes if you have some already made.

First take out all of your ingredients so that your limes can come to room temperature which will help to yield more juice. Then start by making the quinoa. Making a cup will give you some leftovers for the rest of the week to make this lunch even easier to make! Once you have your sauce and quinoa premade, it literally takes as long as it does to microwave a small sweet potato! Woot woot!

You can make the quinoa in a rice cooker, on the stove top, or in one of those college fancy noodle-microwave bowls. Punch line being you pretty much make it as you do rice- 1 cup of quinoa to 2 cups of water. It will only take 15 minutes to cook the quinoa though. Bring the water to a boil, then let it simmer (covered) with the quinoa for those 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed. 

Next comes the sweet potato. I have become a fan of making these in the microwave. It makes this dish fast and easy which is awesome for something as nutritional as this! I am using relatively small sweet potatoes since this is for a lunch portion. Feel free to use a bigger potato for a heartier meal or for dinner!

Just poke the sweet potato with a fork and place into a microwavable bowl or dish. Put it into the microwave for about 5 minutes or the "potato" setting if you have one. Depending on how big your sweet potato is, this may take a little longer. You want to get a nice soft sweet potato at the end that you can mash with your fork. 

Once it comes out of the microwave and is cool enough, peel the potato and mash it! (I like the skin off in this burrito bowl so that it is easier to eat. You can definitely leave it on though and just cut it up!)

*You can alternatively roast these in the oven at 400 degrees if you prefer (or if you are making it for a larger number of people). This will take around 40 minutes or so, or until the potatoes are soft.

While your potato is in the microwave, it is time to make the green avocado sauce!!

Halve your avocado lengthwise and take out the pit. The easiest way to do this is to hit the seed with your knife, twist your knife so that the pit becomes loosened, and then remove! 

scoop out the avocado and put into your blender or food processor. Lime time!

Roll your limes on the counter so you get the most juice from them. Use a juicer/your hands and squeeze out as much as you can into your blender. I like to use 2 limes because I love the flavor. You can use just 1 if you prefer it to be a little less lime-y. 

Next is cilantro!

Feel free to use the stems if you wish, but I like to pull of the leaves and smaller parts of the stem to use. I have about a half cup in this sauce (again, up to you how much!). Place that into the blender as well. I like to drizzle a little olive oil and add a pinch of salt before blending. If your sauce seems too thick, sprinkle in a little water at a time until its smooth enough to blend/to your liking. 

OHHHH yeah. This sauce is deeeelicious. I think if you added more water, it would make a good salad dressing too!

Hard part is done! Now for the moment we have all been waiting for! The burrito bowl assembly!

This is how we love to eat it- Mashed sweet potato on the bottom, add in your cooked quinoa, then some salsa, shredded cheese, and your awesome green avocado sauce! Then we add in some sour cream and chips on top for texture. I highlyyyy recommend these Wild Root red quinoa chia chips (found them at Sam's Club). They are full of good things for you and taste like really yummy chips still! They even have chia and flax seeds in them! 

All together now! Now that's a nutritious lunch! 

We hope you enjoy this as much as we do! Until next time!

Let's get to Cookin'

~Abigail