If you read Part 1, then you know that crispy, rich, tasty pork carnitas are a key component to The Ultimate Crowd-Pleasing, Make-Ahead, Freezer-Friendly Party Meal. This post is devoted to the rest of it – the elements that make a meal that can satisfy just about anyone’s tastes and dietary preferences. You are channeling Chipotle, and you’re going to make a lot of tummies very happy.
That’s gonna be a good burrito bowl!
1. The Rice. I always use brown rice…because I like it, and it’s good for you. And I always cook it in the oven.
2. The Fajita Veggies. I like a ratio of one really big onion to two medium bell peppers – preferably different colors to keep things exciting. Heat up a little oil in a big skillet, and start the onions first for a couple minutes. Add a little salt and pepper and the peppers, and continue to cook until the veggies are crisp-tender (or longer if you like them a little more well-done!). For a more hands-off approach, you can also easily roast them in the oven.
3. The Beans. I typically use black beans, but pinto beans are good, too. I’d like to explore the world of cooking dry beans, but in this situation I open a can and drain off just a little of the liquid. They get heated up in a pot with some dashes of ground cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder.
4. The Crispy Corn. I always think about skipping the crispy corn, but then at the last minute decide to make it! Heat up a little oil in a skillet, add frozen corn and salt, and stir around for several minutes until it begins to caramelize. Yum. You could also just warm up corn in the microwave, or serve a corn salsa option!
5. The Garnishes. Lettuce (chop up a bunch in case some people want to make a salad rather than a rice bowl), shredded cheese, salsa, sour cream, guacamole or chopped avocado, lime wedges, cilantro…self-explanatory, yes?
6. The Tortilla Option. We’ve eaten the carnitas as soft tacos and burritos before, but I love the rice bowl format since for me, the tortilla kind of masks some of the crispy perfection of the carnitas. But I like to offer them if we’re feeding a crowd, especially one with kids.
…So whether you’re serving a crowd and you don’t want anyone to feel weird for being gluten-free or vegetarian or paleo or lactose intolerant or absolutely opposed to green cilantro flecks in their bowl of rice, thankyouverymuchMommy…
…Or you’re delivering dinner to a friend and need something that reheats well and isn’t the traditional casserole…
…Or you’re having a potluck, and you want to provide the main dish and use a website like PerfectPotluck.com to create a sign-up sheet for the sides and toppings…
…this is The Ultimate Crowd-Pleasing Make-Ahead Freezer-Friendly Party Meal! Yum.
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I happily partook of the pictured burrito bowls! So very delicious!! I’m ready to “help” with the next meal photo shoot!
Trust me, your help of all kinds is always appreciated!! 🙂
This is being eaten for supper at my house tonight! So excited because I totally bought my 7.5 Q Le Creuset pot at Christmas just for this! 🙂
Yum!! Are you loving that pot?? I use mine at least once a week!!
Bet – that pork is the most amazing yumminess EVER! I will be cooking this regularly.
Could you do more Dutch oven options? I used my pot a ton in the winter for soups, but don’t have much experience with the stove to oven recipes. Although, I made your shepherds pie a couple of weeks ago, which I will now be making in my new deep dish 3.75 q (SALE!). You should feature it because it’s so yummy. I found it in my recipe box from my bridal shower – haha – #win. 🙂
Hey lady! Yes, I need to experiment with some more braising recipes because the pork is pretty magical! ;o) I’ll have to put the shepherd’s pie on my list, glad you guys enjoyed it!! I have some leftover pork in my freezer and I’m going to have to pull it out this week because now I’m craving it! ;o)