CILANTRO LIME RICE

Recipe Prep: Rinse rice in a mesh strainer under cold running water. Use your fingers to separate the grains. Continue rinsing until the water runs clear. Removal of surface starch is important for cooking fluffy rice. If this step is skipped, the rice will be sticky.

1. Warm 1 tablespoon oil in a small heavy pot. Add the rice. Sauté briefly – just until the grains become translucent. Add hot water and salt. Stir. Bring to a boil over high heat.
2. Reduce heat to low/simmer. Cover pot with a tight-fitting lid. Allow rice to simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed.
3. Remove pot from heat. Wrap lid in a lint-free cotton cloth. Place it back on the pot. Let rice sit undisturbed, away from heat, for 10-15 minutes. Lift the lid and remove the cloth. Fluff rice with a fork. Transfer it to a mixing bowl. Add lime juice, remaining oil, cilantro, and a pinch of salt. Gently toss to combine. Do a taste test. If needed, add more lime juice, cilantro and/or salt.

MEAT MIXTURE

1. Warm corn oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Pat the raw meat dry between paper towels. This will help prevent it from steaming. Add meat to the hot pan. With a metal or wooden spatula, smash it into an even layer. But don’t break up the meat just yet.
2. Once edges are brown, flip it over in sections. Brown the second side. Break it up into little pieces. By waiting until this point to break up the meat, we’ve prevented the juices from quickly evaporating and creating steam. Steamed ground beef turns gray and develops a mealy texture. Our burrito bowl will feature juicy brown meat.  
3. Once the beef is almost cooked through, drain off the fat. Add taco seasoning, water, and tomato sauce. Simmer 2 minutes over medium-low heat. 
4. Fold in corn, black beans, and chiles. Simmer until sauce has thickened and veggies are warm. About 3 to 4 minutes. Do a taste test. If needed, add salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top. Fold it in, and let it melt.

ASSEMBLE THE BURRITO BOWL

1. Line the bottom of a bowl with a thick layer of shredded lettuce.
2. Add a scoop of rice, and a scoop of the ground beef (or chicken) mixture. 
3. Add shredded cheese, grape tomatoes, avocado, olives, and snapped tortilla chips. If desired, drizzle the top with sour cream. 
4. Serve with hot sauce or salsa, and juicy wedges of lime.