Breakfast Friday | Simple Breakfast Burritos for Two

Last weekend, Chris and I stopped by our favorite little coffee shop.  It was unseasonably warm, so I actually ordered an iced coffee with Michael’s [one of the owners] house-made salted caramel syrup.  I have never ever been a sugar-in-my-coffee kind of girl, but I can’t stop asking for a swirl of this syrup in every coffee drink I order.  Did I mention they make their own almond milk!?

And now they have gluten-free, vegetarian breakfast burritos.  Shoot me now.  There goes my allowance.

Simple Breakfast Burritos | edibleperspective.com #glutenfree
Simple Breakfast Burritos | edibleperspective.com #glutenfree

While breakfasts out are a nice once in a while treat, I also very much enjoy whipping up a hearty breakfast at home. 

Simple Breakfast Burritos | edibleperspective.com #glutenfree
Simple Breakfast Burritos | edibleperspective.com #glutenfree

So, with a little inspiration from the burritos at Downpours I present to you this simple savory breakfast burrito.

Simple Breakfast Burritos | edibleperspective.com #glutenfree
Simple Breakfast Burritos | edibleperspective.com #glutenfree

I love a good savory breakfast but I don’t always love the flavors of peppers and onions in my mouth first thing in the morning. 

The potato, black bean, and egg mixture is a lightly flavored combination enhanced mostly by a few hefty pinches of salt + pepper.  I also threw in a bit of garlic, a pinch or two of oregano and cumin, and a small handful of extra sharp cheddar cheese.

Like I said, pretty dang simple.  You can add more flavor if you like but it’s definitely not necessary.

Simple Breakfast Burritos | edibleperspective.com #glutenfree
Simple Breakfast Burritos | edibleperspective.com #glutenfree

Unfortunately, it’s hard to take photos with one hand while wrapping a burrito in your other hand but the method is pretty simple.  Especially if you pay attention while placing an order at Chipotle.

Simple Breakfast Burritos | edibleperspective.com #glutenfree
Simple Breakfast Burritos | edibleperspective.com #glutenfree

A little trick to keeping your burrito held together:  Just as you’re about to finish wrapping your burrito sneak in a little extra cheese right above the seam [seam shown above – this was after browning + flipping].  Then, place this side down first in your hot pan so it can “glue” the burrito together.  You may need to lightly press on the top of the burrito for a minute or two as the cheese melts.

The ends may pop out a bit but it should still hold together without a problem.  I love using theses brown rice tortillas as they crisp up extremely well and almost turn a bit flaky.

Simple Breakfast Burritos | edibleperspective.com #glutenfree
Simple Breakfast Burritos | edibleperspective.com #glutenfree

I smothered mine in homemade enchilada sauce [coming Monday!], mashed avocado, and a scoop of Greek yogurt.  But a scoop of salsa or nothing at all works just as well.

Simple Breakfast Burritos | edibleperspective.com #glutenfree
Simple Breakfast Burritos | edibleperspective.com #glutenfree

I highly recommend a big glass of OJ on the side.

Simple Breakfast Burritos | edibleperspective.com #glutenfree
Simple Breakfast Burritos | edibleperspective.com #glutenfree

Print this!

inspired by: Downpour Coffee’s breakfast burritos

Simple Breakfast Burritos for Two

gluten-free // yields 2 burritos

  • 1 cup chopped potatoes, about 1/4-1/2 inch pieces – russet, sweet, yukon, etc.
  • 1/2 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • pinch of cumin
  • 3 large eggs
  • 3oz grated sharp cheddar cheese, or pepper jack
  • ghee or oil for cooking
  • salt + pepper
  • 2 gluten-free tortillas, 8-10 inch diameter

optional toppings:enchilada sauce, salsa, avocado, hot sauce, Greek yogurt, etc.

Let tortillas come to room temperature.

Heat 2-3 teaspoons of ghee in a pan over medium heat.  Add the potatoes, cover, and cook stirring frequently until tender and golden brown, about 8-12 minutes [cook time will vary depending on size of cubes].  Add the beans, garlic, oregano, cumin, and a few pinches of salt and pepper.  Stir for about 30 seconds – 1 minute and then pour onto a plate.

Whisk the eggs vigorously until uniform in color.  Wipe out your pan, reduce heat to med-low and add a bit more ghee.  Once melted, slowly pour in the eggs and gently stir with a spatula [continuously] until just barely cooked, about 5-7 minutes.  Lightly salt + pepper.  You want to cook the eggs slowly to keep them extra creamy and soft.  Place eggs on a plate.  Wipe out or scrape your pan clean and place back to medium heat with a bit more ghee.

Place a sprinkling of cheese in the bottom-center region of each tortilla.  Place half of the potato mixture and half of the eggs over top.  Place more cheese on top, reserving a small amount.  Fold in the sides and then fold the edge closest to you over the ingredients and start rolling, being sure to hold in the sides. Add the last bit of cheese just as your finish rolling and place in the hot pan seam side down.  Gently press the top of the burritos for a minute or two until the cheese melts and holds together.

Cook until golden brown on both sides.  Top and serve immediately.

Notes: If your tortillas are not soft and pliable place them in the microwave with a damp paper towel over top for about 12 seconds.  Remove and start wrapping immediately while still warm.  If burritos aren’t wrapping easily remove a small amount of the filling and try again.

Simple Breakfast Burritos | edibleperspective.com #glutenfree
Simple Breakfast Burritos | edibleperspective.com #glutenfree
Simple Breakfast Burritos | edibleperspective.com
Simple Breakfast Burritos | edibleperspective.com

Here’s to hearty breakfasts, good coffee, and the weekend!

Cheers!

Ashley

Quinoa Chickpea Veggie Salad with Lemon Basil Dressing

Welcome to my new favorite meal. 

A meal that is suitable for lunch or dinner, hot or cold, and easily packed to-go.

Quinoa Chickpea Veggie Salad with Lemon Basil Dressing | edibleperspective.com
Quinoa Chickpea Veggie Salad with Lemon Basil Dressing | edibleperspective.com

This 5-ingredient, lemony-basil dressing is about to become your new go-to dressing.  It’s easy to whip up at the beginning of each week and pour over meals like this or traditional leafy-green salads.  It’s a simple dressing that can be adapted with your favorite fresh herbs or no herbs at all.

Once you start making dressing at home you will never go back to store-bought.  I can guarantee you that.

Pro tip: If you don’t want to dirty a blender smash 1 garlic clove [with the flat side of your knife] and set it aside.  You want the garlic clove to still be somewhat held together so it’s easy to remove.  Smashing the clove will help release the flavor into the dressing without overpowering it.  Shake all other ingredients in a jar until fully combined.  Place the smashed clove in the jar and give it a few shakes.  Let sit for 15-20 minutes and then remove the clove.  Use as directed below.

Quinoa Chickpea Veggie Salad with Lemon Basil Dressing | edibleperspective.com
Quinoa Chickpea Veggie Salad with Lemon Basil Dressing | edibleperspective.com

I was recently hired by Earthbound Organic to create and photograph a recipe suitable for dinner and easy to pack up for lunch the next day.  I immediately thought of making a hearty salad packed with protein from quinoa and chickpeas and loaded with green veggies. 

The bright + flavorful dressing is what really makes this meal pop and will keep you coming back for more.  The olives and sun-dried tomatoes add an extra layer of flavor and chew.

Quinoa Chickpea Veggie Salad with Lemon Basil Dressing | edibleperspective.com
Quinoa Chickpea Veggie Salad with Lemon Basil Dressing | edibleperspective.com

Print this!

You can find easy lunch packing tips on the Organic Bound blog!

Quinoa Chickpea Veggie Salad

gluten-free, vegan // yields 4-6 servings

  • 1 cup raw quinoa, rinsed well and drained
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 broccoli heads, chopped
  • 2-3 cups lightly packed baby kale, or chopped lacinato kale
  • 1, 15z can [1 3/4 cups] garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1/2 cup chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, blotted
  • 1/3 cup pitted and halved kalamata olives
  • 2 tablespoons cooking oil, melted ghee/safflower/sunflower/etc.
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • feta or goat cheese, optional

Lemon Basil Dressing

  • 1/3 – 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup loosely packed basil leaves
  • 1 medium garlic clove, chopped
  • 1-2 teaspoons honey/agave
  • 1/4-1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper

Preheat your oven to 400* F. 

Place 1 tablespoon of oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Once hot place quinoa in the pot and stir for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently. Slowly pour in the water and stir occasionally. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to simmer and cover with a tight fitting lid. Simmer for 15-18 minutes until water is absorbed. Keep the quinoa at a constant simmer but do not stir or uncover while cooking. Remove from the heat and let sit covered for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Cover to keep hot.

While quinoa cooks toss broccoli with 1 tablespoon of oil and a few pinches of salt and pepper on a large baking sheet. Roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes, stirring once halfway through. Add garbanzo beans to the broccoli pan in the last 5-7 minutes of roasting to warm. 

While the quinoa and broccoli are cooking place all dressing ingredients in your blender, starting with 1/3 cup olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Blend until fully combined. Taste and add more olive oil 1 tablespoon at a time if it’s too acidic. Add more salt and pepper if desired and be sure honey is combined [shake in a jar if needed]. Let sit on the counter for flavors to develop. Shake well before using.

Combine quinoa, roasted broccoli, garbanzo beans, kale, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add desired amount of dressing and toss to coat.  Kale will wilt from the warmth of the other ingredients. Top with cheese if desired.

notes: Use agave instead of honey in the dressing for a vegan version. Store leftover dressing store in a sealed jar in the fridge for 3-4 days. Refrigerate quinoa leftovers for 3-4 days in a sealed container. Add more dressing if desired as some will absorb as it sits. To add more flavor to the quinoa cook in 1 cup of water and 1 cup of low-sodium vegetable broth. 

Quinoa Chickpea Veggie Salad with Lemon Basil Dressing | edibleperspective.com
Quinoa Chickpea Veggie Salad with Lemon Basil Dressing | edibleperspective.com

It’s so easy to find reusable lunch boxes nowadays.  From the stainless steel varieties [just found this one + love it!], to cloth bags for sandwiches + snacks, to plastic containers like the one you see here.  I found this container at World Market for FIVE bucks.  It’s BPA-free and dishwasher/microwave safe.  I love the having 3 compartments in 1 container.  There’s less cleaning, less juggling of containers, etc.

Quinoa Chickpea Veggie Salad with Lemon Basil Dressing | edibleperspective.com
Quinoa Chickpea Veggie Salad with Lemon Basil Dressing | edibleperspective.com

And the portable utensil set??  I’m kind of in love.  Even though I work at home this will come in handy for car meals, camping trips, mountain adventures, etc.  It even includes chopsticks [!!] and was also $5 and BPA-free.

[Both are shown as sets of 4 on the World Market website but I was able to buy singles in-store.  You can also find them on amazon for a few extra dollars.]

Quinoa Chickpea Veggie Salad with Lemon Basil Dressing | edibleperspective.com
Quinoa Chickpea Veggie Salad with Lemon Basil Dressing | edibleperspective.com

Be sure to head over to the Organic Bound blog to read all of my lunch packing tips, including how to easily wrap this salad up in a collard leaf.  Extra crunch, extra veggies, win-win!

[not a sponsored post]

Quinoa Chickpea Veggie Salad with Lemon Basil Dressing | edibleperspective.com
Quinoa Chickpea Veggie Salad with Lemon Basil Dressing | edibleperspective.com

Happy Wednesday!

Ashley