Asian-Inspired Gordita Crunch

I am so drawn to all different kinds of Asian cuisine. I constantly am craving the balance of sweet, spicy, salty and savory. Over the years I have built a large pantry of spices and sauces, and so much of it is due to living near an outstanding Asian market. The key is in the quick marinade and the frozen green onion pancakes. If you don't live near an Asian grocery store, Trader Joe's also has most items! For the beef marinade I use ingredients like gochugaru and sesame oil, inspired by Korean cooking, I use dark soy-sauce, honey and chili crisp used often in Chinese cooking. Chopped scallion and shallot deepen the flavor and add natural sweetness to the dish.

Fusion recipes are bar-none my favorite. Seeing how people pull influence from different cultures and places and blending them with another is what got me obsessed with cooking blogs.

We do a lot of variations of tacos and burritos in my house. Tortillas are the most appealing vessel for so many fillings, and all we need is a leafy green veggie, a killer sauce, cheese and rice.

This meal is inspired by the Taco-Bell gordita crunch, merged with my love of Asian fare.

Feeds: 4 -6

Time: 35- 40 min.

What You'll Need:

• 1 package green onion pancakes (Trader Joe's or Asian Grocery Store)

• 1 lb 90% lean ground beef

• 1 shallot (diced)

• 3 cloves garlic (grated)

• 2 tsp sesame oil

• 1 TB gochugaru

• 1 TB honey

• 3 TB dark soy sauce

• sesame seeds

• Large Tortillas (8-10 in)

• Japanese bbq sauce

• 2 cups steamed rice (for serving)

• Bib Lettuce or romaine (for serving)

• Spicy mayo (for serving)

**Green onion pancakes are the essential crunchy aspect of this dish. I got mine at my local asian grocer for 3$ for a pack of 6. Trader Joe's has them too.

Let's Make It

1. In a small bowl or directly in your cool skillet, add your shallot, garlic, honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, green onion (whites only) and set on medium heat.

2. After about 2 minutes, add your beef to your pan with the marinade and start browning.

3. Cook down for about 8 minutes (until all the pink is gone).

4. Let cool, top with green onion (greens) and sesame seeds.

5. Air fry your green onion pancakes for 6 min at 375. It will be crispy but the middle still pliable and paler. (if you don't have an airfryer, a conventional oven is fine.)

   

   

   Asian-Inspired Gordita Crunch

   
   
   
   

Assembly:

• Warm up a large tortilla and place your crispy green onion pancake on top.

• Scoop your steamed rice in the middle, then layer your beef, lettuce, japanese bbq sauce and spicy mayo.

• Roll inward and tuck under your fillings, then tuck in your shorter end, continue rolling into a burrito.

To make it a step up, add some cheese as you are rolling your burrito and sear face down on a skillet to seal the edges.