Faux-potle Burrito Bowl

I love Chipotle.  And I really, really looooooove their vegetarian burrito bowls.  I became addicted a few years ago; thinking that since I'd burned a gazillion calories at the gym, I'd head over to Chipotle for dinner a few times a week.  This trend, however, was cut short by the realization that my thighs and butt were expanding faster than the universe.  I couldn't figure out what was going on (I'd lie away late at night, falling prey to my usual hypochondriac ways while thinking things like Omigod, is there something wrong with my thyroid?) until someone happened to mention the effing astronomical calorie counts in my beloved burrito bowls.

"But!" I sputtered in disbelief, "I get the vegetarian kind! How could beans, rice, and veggies possibly be fattening?!"  I was aghast.  But soon it became clear: much like my short-lived love affair with non-fat ice cream (how can non-fat ice cream be so fattening?!), I needed to cut back on the burrito bowls.

Seeking to save some cash and some caloric load, I decided to start making my own.  I'll admit that they're not as good as Chipotle, but they're close -- and they're lower cost, lower cal, and don't come with the need to table-stalk in order to find a place to sit.

Vegan Faux-potle (like Chipotle, but faux) Burrito Bowls

1/2 Can black beans
1/2 lime
1 C brown rice (I was starving and used pre-cooked brown rice; if you're using dry rice, you'll need to cook it first)
2 C chopped onions, red and green peppers (mixed)
1/4 t garlic salt
1 t cumin
1/4 C chopped cilantro

Combine the cooked rice, juice of 1/2 lime, and chopped cilantro in a large bowl.

Chillin'. (But are they sippin' on gin and juice?)

Saute the onions, peppers, cumin, and garlic salt until soft.  While they're cooking, cook the beans -- with the liquid from the can -- until gently boiling.

Once the beans and the pepper-n'-onion mix are cooked, combine with the rice in a large bowl. Dollop with guacamole, if you happen to have some on hand, and enjoy!

The layered version -- rice, beans, peppers and onions, and guac

 

 

The all-mixed-up version