Fast Mex

It seems like everyone loves Mexican, especially here in Portland, OR, where I currently live.  Even my 9-year old, who won't eat anything, and my 7-year old, who will anything, love Mexican.  Not much of a fan myself, but its not about me, right?  So here's a quick down and dirty way for us single dads to throw a fiesta without too much trabajo (roughly translates as I work, and not trouble, which it sort-of sounds like and would fit also).


The components of the meal include: Burritos, chips, salsa, guacamole dip (sort-of), and applesauce.


Burrito
Ingredients:

• Your preferred frozen burrito(s)
• Kosher salt
• Canola oil (I prefer canola because I'm told its healthier)

Instructions:
Heat your cast iron pan (if you don't own one, totally worth getting.  They're heavy, strong, can take some abuse, and don't contain carcinogens like the Teflon stuff, or so I was told) to about number 6, or maybe 7.  Just a heads up, for ease, I'll use the numbers on my stove dials which go from 0 to 10, it makes a lot more sense to me than "medium heat," whatever that means.


Okay so put in the oil, but not too much, and toss a little salt in the oil, let it warm for a sec.  While oil is warming, put the burritos in the microwave for about a minute per burrito on power level 30.  This will defrost them a little, speeding up the results so you can get your kids off the video games a little quicker.  If you have a bunch of burritos for some reason, turn the stove down to number 3 or 4, until your ready to cook.


Now throw the burritos in there and cover.  Cook until golden brown, then turn over.  Once both sides are golden brown, you may want to throw them back in the micro for about 15-20 on full power, just to be sure the innards are warm.


Serve.




Chips and Salsa
Ingredients:

• Janitas chips, if you can get them.  Any restaurant style, if you can't
• Your favorite bottled salsa

Guacamole Dip (sort-of)
I've discovered that some things are just hard to get the same time after time, and kids like consistency, not to mention they tend to favor somewhat blander foods.  So, this is a simplified guac you can get right every time that the kids will love, especially if you have a picky kid or two in the mix.
Ingredients:

• 1 Hass Avocado

Instructions:
Using a fork, break up the avocado in a bowl.  Use a nice wood bowl, if you have one, to impress your kids with your seemingly restaurant-level of sophistication.  Be careful not to mash it too smooth; again, for the sophistication.


Serve.




Applesauce
Ingredients:

• No sugar added applesauce.  Here in Portland, TreeTop is a good one that's actually sweet.  The no added sugar aspect allows to talk to your kids about the importance of eating healthy.