Mexican food is colourful, vibrant and deliciously tasty, with a smoky warmth and a kick of chilli heat. Eating it conjures up images of Latin American fiestas, plazas selling street food, Mariachi bands playing and the chilled vibe of the 'manana' lifestyle. Mexico seems to embody a passion for life that is reflected in the cuisine itself.
I really enjoyed creating Smoky Bean Burritos and a One Pot Mexican Spicy Rice and Quorn Chicken dish using the Veetee rice, which were both very much enjoyed by the family. Having the Veetee rice pre-cooked and seasoned makes it an excellent ingredient for adding to dishes, saving time and adding flavour. Here are the recipes.
Smoky Bean Burritos
8 large tortilla wraps
1 onion chopped
1 carton of chopped tomato with garlic and chilli
1 tablespoon smoky chipotle sauce
1 tablespoon tomato puree
1 can of red kidney beans
1 can of pinto beans
1 can of chickpeas
1 pack of Veetee Spicy Mexican Style Rice
grated mature Cheddar cheese
Fry the onion in a deep frying pan.
Add the chopped tomatoes to the pan and add beans, tomato puree and smoky chipotle sauce.
Cook for about 10 minutes until slightly reduced and combined.
Microwave the Veetee Spicy Mexican Style Rice for 2 minutes on high.
Add to the pan and stir through.
Take each tortilla wrap and put a big spoonful of the bean and rice mix into the centre.
Top with grated cheese.
Fold into parcels to make the burritos.
Put in an ovenproof dish.
Top with a little more grated cheese and pop into a pre-heated oven at GM 6 for 15 minutes.
Serve with salad, guacamole, salsa and sour cream. They are also delicious cold!
One Pot Mexican Spicy Quorn and Rice
1 pack of Quorn fillets defrosted
1 tablespoon of smoky chipotle sauce
oil for frying
1 handful of frozen peppers
1 pack of Veetee Spicy Mexican Style Rice
Chop a packet of defrosted Quorn fillets into chunks.
Fry in a little oil and add a tablespoon of smoky chipotle sauce to coat and season.
Add a handful of frozen mixed peppers and cook through for about 3 minutes.
Add one packet of Veetee Spicy Mexican Style Rice and stir fry for a further 3-4 minutes until piping hot and combined.
Serve with freshly boiled corn on the cob.
Veetee Heat and Eat microwave rice is available from most major supermarkets with an RRP of £1.49. Available in Spicy Mexican, Thai Jasmine, Peri Peri and Pilau flavours, which are suitable for vegetarians. Each pack serves 1 as a meal or 2 as a side, or it can be used as an ingredient in recipes.