One of the most beloved culinary exports from California is undoubtedly the California-style burrito. Known for its hearty fillings and distinctive additions like French fries, this type of burrito has won hearts across the nation and beyond. In his popular cooking series “Basics with Babish,” Andrew Rea, a self-taught chef and filmmaker, takes on this iconic dish, guiding viewers through each step to achieve that perfect blend of flavors wrapped in a soft flour tortilla.
### What Makes a Burrito a California Style?
Unlike traditional Mexican burritos, the California style is typically larger and comes loaded with a variety of fillings that can include French fries, carne asada (grilled steak), cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and pico de gallo. This style is particularly associated with San Diego but has become popular all over the state.
### Ingredients You’ll Need
To make a classic California-style burrito following Babish’s approach, you will need:
– Flour tortillas (large)
– Carne asada
– French fries or seasoned potatoes
– Cheddar cheese (shredded)
– Sour cream
– Guacamole
– Pico de gallo
– Salsa (optional)
– Rice (optional)
– Beans (optional)
Andrew emphasizes using fresh ingredients and making as many components as possible from scratch. For instance, he suggests marinating the carne asada overnight to deepen its flavors and frying your own French fries for that perfect crunch.
### Preparing the Carne Asada
The carne asada is arguably the star of the show in a California burrito. It begins with marinating skirt or flank steak in a mixture of lime juice, chopped garlic, cilantro, oil, salt, pepper, cumin, and other spices preferred by the chef. Once marinated for several hours or overnight to infuse flavors fully and tenderize the meat, it should be grilled over high heat until nicely charred but still juicy on the inside.
### Assembly Tips
One key recommendation from Babish includes warming up your tortilla before assembly to make it more pliable. Lay out all your ingredients in an organized workstation: sliced carne asada should be placed on one side followed by crispy French fries or potatoes along with generous dollops of guacamole sour cream shredded cheese and pico de gallo.
To fold efficiently Andrew suggests tucking in two opposite sides of the tortilla before rolling it up from another edge ensuring you keep all fillings snugly wrapped inside without tearing through.
### Variations and Serving
While Andrew sticks fairly closely to traditional elements in his tutorial he encourages creativity based on personal preference or dietary needs. For instance adding rice or beans can add an extra layer of texture while experimenting with different types of cheeses or salsas can adjust flavor profiles according to taste.
Once rolled up neatly every bite offers an explosion of flavors melding together perfectly representing not just Californian tastes but also Andrew’s culinary philosophy embracing simplicity depth precision in home cooking.
Whether you’re an amateur cook or seasoned food enthusiast creating your own California-style burrito at home guided by “Basics with Babish” not only teaches you about assembling this delicious meal but also deepens appreciation for how local cuisines evolve taking on new dimensions while staying rooted in tradition. Enjoy crafting perhaps sharing this delightful dish inspired by both Californian zest Andrew Rea’s meticulous execution!