Creativity in the kitchen can be a double-edged sword, as combining two good foods doesn't always make a better food. You probably won't catch me spreading peanut butter on my salmon fillet or eating scrambled eggs in my ice cream, even though these are some of my favorite foods. However, sometimes a strike of culinary genius hits and a strangely delicious combination is created! Perhaps you're familiar with the walking taco, or a dessert pizza? Another successful hybrid is the California burrito.
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The California Burrito
If you've never heard of it, the Cali burrito has all of the typical elements of a classic, foolproof burrito- meat, cheese and condiments. What sets these burritos apart, making them a legend of the fast food world, is that they are filled with French fries in place of rice and beans. They also have a healthy helping of guacamole to really bring the flavor over the edge.
This irresistible, jam-packed creation is called the California burrito because it originated in San Diego, California. Home to some of the best Mexican food in the country, one can find an endless assortment of Mexican-American fast food restaurants and taco shops in San Diego. Nachos, tacos, enchiladas, are never far away in this laidback city of Southern California.
San Diego is known for its beaches, weather, and family-friendly attractions. The beaches also attract crowds of surfers, as the waves and sun make for ideal surfing conditions. The California-style burrito is also ideal after a day of surfing the waves under the sun, along with being a popular hangover food. If you find yourself in San Diego, check out Roberto's Taco Shop, a restaurant renowned for its Cali burrito. However, don't miss out just because you don't live in Cali- the California burrito is just as delicious if made at home!
How To Make It
The California burrito is typically made with a large flour tortilla, very important in fitting all of its delicious contents inside. Corn tortillas are an excellent choice for tacos, but the sturdiness of flour tortillas is essential for a successful California burrito. Nothing is worse than making a burrito that doesn't fully close, or worse yet, using a tortilla that breaks as you eat it. Next, spread guac and sour cream generously on your tortilla. Add a helping of carne asada, preferably freshly cooked. Top this with hot, crispy french fries and you're nearly there.
Depending on your preferences, add cheddar cheese, pico de gallo, onions, and cilantro. For extra flavor, add hot sauce and lime juice. Microwave it for a minute, and then roll tightly into a burrito, tucking the ends to ensure you don't lose any of the good stuff. At this point, the only challenge is fitting it into your mouth!
If you want to cut down on prep time, use garlic powder rather than marinating the carne asada. You can also add your own touch, adding refried beans, chorizo, sautéed veggies or nacho cheese.
For a more detailed description, this recipe will show you how it's done.
If this inspires you to delve into the world of burrito hybrids, some other options are the breakfast burrito or the carne asada burrito. You really can't go wrong with any of these tasty dishes, but you should prepare for the carbs-and-cheese-induced food coma that will likely hit after you experience this San Diego specialty!
