Image by Nazish Saba from Pixabay
By Heather Lang
How is it that even with nearly all activities, gathering and outings being canceled that I still don’t seem to have any extra free time on my calendar? Is it just me? Please say it isn’t. Ever since the start of COVID I have remained very busy. My schedule might have cleared up and most events cleared from my calendar, yet still I am hectically busy. Just busy in a different way, I guess.
Food is comforting, scientific, and makes people happy. Many look to food to “prove” that they are a good parent or partner. Food is a way to contribute to your household making you confident in knowing that what you have made for your family is healthy. Food can also seem overwhelming.
When you are being asked “What’s for dinner?” does fear come over you? Do you get a deer in the headlights kind of look? Do you start to panic and sweat? If any of these sound like you, I feel your pain. I know your fear and I am here to help you out. Cooking is the key to a happy family, but you don’t want to spend all day preparing the meal, you just want it taste like you did.
In previous postings – biscuits & gravy, easy lazy cheese buttons or even our family favorite, 8-minute mile high strawberry fluff pie – I shared easy, one-dish recipes made from very few ingredients that are common in most pantries in the United States. Today, I would like to share another of my go-to recipes that is quick and easy to prepare. It’s also easy to adapt for picky eaters, or groups of people that might have different dietary needs.
Burritos bowls!
My family could eat tacos everyday of the week and still be asking for more tacos. Don’t get me wrong, I do love me some tacos, but I was searching for a way to elevate the entrée and switch it up a bit while still satisfying everyone’s cravings. Then I stumbled upon burrito bowls. LIFE CHANGING! There are only four easy steps to creating a successful, mouthwatering, and flavorful meal:
- Grains. Every good burrito bowl starts with a grain. My sister prefers cilantro lime rice to be exact. I tend to use whatever I have on hand: plain white rice, brown rice, any of the Rice-a-Roni pre-boxed rices, but my favorite is wild rice. If rice isn’t your thing try using quinoa. If grains don’t agree with you, use a bed of lettuce in place of the grain.
- Protein. In our household protein is center stage, so we pile it high. Chicken, beef, lamb, taco meat, pork, or ground turkey are all great options. If I have little bits of left-over meats in the fridge that are too small to make an entrée for my family of five, I like to heat them all up and let everyone choose what protein they want. If you’re looking for a meatless meal, just use black beans instead. They are superb!
- Vegetables. My favorites are roasted corn (frozen or canned is fine), onions, peppers and tomatoes. Want to spice up the veggies a bit? Try sautéing them in butter adding a bit of chili flakes or garlic.
- Toppings. Avocados, salsa, sour cream, cheese, sugar snap peas, cilantro and lime juice are some great options.
Since this meal is so customizable it will leave everyone happy and satisfied, and no one will go away hungry. GUARANTEED!
Heather is the District 7 representative on the NDFB Promotion and Education Committee and is a member of the AFBF Promotion and Education Committee. She farms with her husband and three children near Sterling.