Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Crockpot Tuesday - Chili Colorado Burritos

As many of you know a couple of weeks ago I started on a new budgeting and meal planning adventure.  I planned 2 weeks of meals including lunches and quick breakfast with dinner almost every night with a $200 budget.  Not only did I come in under budget but the planning ahead has made the work week dinners so much less stressful. 

One of the things that helped was designating Tuesday as crockpot day.  Tuesdays are generally longer days for me and I found that cooking that night was always exhausting.  Letting the crockpot do all the work is the best.  So for last Tuesday I tried a new recipe.  Chile Colorado Burritos... super yummy, super easy and not expensive either.  They were fat man approved and have made it into the dinner rotation, and as always I have plans for a few changes.

Ingredients:
  • 1 1/2 to 2 pounds stew meat or other beef cubed
  • 1 large can mild enchilada sauce (at least 19 oz)
  • 2 beef bouillon cubes
  • 1/2 can refried beans
  • 5-7 burrito size flour tortillas
  • 1 cup of shredded cheese
Directions:
  • Put meat, bouillon and enchilada sauce into crockpot and cook on low for 7-8 hrs, meat should be very tender
  • When beef is done and falling apart, I strain the meat, seperating the sauce but not discarding it.
  • Take tortilla and spread thin layer of beans add meat then roll into a burrito.
  • Line baking dish with burritos, cover with sauce and top with cheese.
  • Broil in oven for about 2-4 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and cheese is melted. 
  • I served with left over beans and chips.

 This was a great meal.  The sauce was not too spicy and the meat had a great flavor.  The changes I plan to make are to add onions to my beef as well as a small can of chopped green chilies.  After reading about Chili Colorado Burritos, they are supposed to have chilies... DUH!  So those are changes I plan to make for sure.  I also think I might thicken my sauce some, it was runny and slightly messy, so a little cornstarch should do the trick just fine. 

Little Man wasn't there for dinner but I think it would be kid friendly, plus he is not a picky eater.  I also think this would be good with deer meat.  I hope you enjoy, I know several of you have asked for this recipe, and I'm sorry for not posting a lot lately.  The holidays are coming so I'm sure I'll have more to post soon.  I'll also keep you posted on my meal planning and grocery budget adventures!