INTRODUCTION & HISTORY
Conceived in Mexico and born in New Mexico, USA, breakfast burrito is a hearty dish that could easily be mistaken for lunch or dinner. It is hearty, satiable, versatile, and often spicy and filled with calories. Preparing a breakfast burrito starts with a humble corn or wheat tortilla, and the filling ingredients depend on the region and, of course, personal preferences. For instance, in New Mexico, breakfast burritos are filled with eggs, meat, and potatoes, and smothered in red and green chile sauce. The potatoes can be shredded or cut into cubes but must be fried and crispy. Bacon is the most common meat choice, but chorizo sausages, ham, carne asada, and other pork varieties are also an option. Cheese — usually Monterrey Jack or cheddar — is either packed into a burrito or sprinkled on top and melted in the oven. Other fillings include avocados, beans, spinach, tomatoes, peppers, and soft cheeses such as feta or goat cheese. Generally, the breakfast burrito is a savory dish, but sweet varieties also exist. The breakfast burrito is usually prepared in two ways, either as a handheld version, practical for a breakfast on the go because all the ingredients are packed inside the burrito, or smothered in sauce and melted cheese, served on a shallow plate, in which case it is eaten with a fork.
COOKING TIPS
· Tortillas
Whether you use a corn or wheat variety, it is advisable to warm up the tortillas before you assemble your breakfast burrito. If you are warming them up in the oven, wrap them in aluminum foil and heat for 15 to 20 minutes at 350°F/180°C. If you are doing it on the stove, place each tortilla in a dry skillet and cook for 1 minute on each side on medium heat. Finally, to warm the tortillas up in the microwave, stack them on a plate, cover them with a moist paper towel, and heat for 30 seconds.
· Eggs
Most commonly, a breakfast burrito is stuffed with scrambled eggs. Whisk them shortly, season with salt and pepper, and cook in a skillet greased with oil, butter, cooking spray, or lard. Alternatively, you can fry your eggs on the fat remaining from frying bacon or sausages, which will give them a richer flavor.
· Meat
The classic breakfast burrito is most commonly filled with pork-based meat products, such as ham, bacon, or various sausages, fried until crispy and golden. Modern varieties, however, opt for lighter meats such as turkey and chicken, while vegetarian variants get the protein from beans.
· Potatoes
Hash browns are an essential part of the original breakfast burrito. To prepare them, use potato varieties rich in starch, dry them thoroughly and shred or dice them finely. Fry in a large skillet on hot oil, patting gently and turning them over with a spatula every few minutes until they become crispy and golden.
· Cheese
There is a whole variety of cheeses that can be used in a breakfast burrito. Mild cheddar and Monterrey Jack are most commonly seen in New Mexico, either as a stuffing inside the burrito, or melted over the top. However, you can fill the burrito with mozzarella, feta, goat cheese, cottage cheese, or any other kind you find tasty.
· Handheld Vs. Smothered
There are two major breakfast burrito kinds. The handheld one is practical for meals on the go, and its juiciness depends exclusively on the filling, while a smothered breakfast burrito, also known as bañado, is always served on a plate and is covered in melted cheese and sauces such as chile or sour cream sauce.
· Freezing
Although breakfast burritos are meant to be served warm, they freeze rather well, so you can make them days in advance. Still, avoid freezing breakfast burritos containing avocados, tomatoes, and other ingredients rich in water, since they will make the tortillas mushy after they melt.