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To make any of your Chipolte's favorites, you'll need to start with a marinade:

CHIPOLTE'S MARINADE
-------------------

  1 (2 ounce) package dried ancho chiles
  1 teaspoon black pepper
  2 teaspoons cumin powder
  2 tablespoons fresh oregano, chopped
  6 cloves garlic
1/2 red onion, quartered
1/4 cup vegetable oil
  4 chicken breasts or small steaks (6 ounces each)

Soak dry chilies overnight in water, until soft. Remove seeds. Add all
ingredients except meat in food processor. Puree until smooth.

Spread mixture over chicken, or other meats and refrigerate at least
one hour, up to 24 hours.

After marinading, heat grill to about 400 degrees F, or if cooking
inside, heat small amount of oil in skillet or grill pan over high
heat. Salt meat to taste (optional), and grill lightly, turning only
once, until done. 4 minutes per side for chicken, 8-10 minutes per
side for 3/4" thick steak.

Recipe will make four burritos.


Pork is the meat in Chipolte's Carnitas Recipe. Here are the
directions for preparing:

CHIPOLTE'S PORK SHOULDER
------------------------

  1 pork shoulder roast, boneless (5-6 pounds, marinate if you like)
2-3 tablespoons olive oil
  4 medium tomatoes (peeled, if desired)
  1 onion, thinly sliced
  1 teaspoon cumin powder
2-4 sprigs fresh oregano (or 1/2 teaspoon crushed or powdered)
  2 whole cloves
  2 bay leaves
  2 dried chipotle chilies
3/4 cup water or meat stock
    Salt/pepper to taste

Salt and pepper the pork shoulder; allow the meat come to room
temperature, about 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

Add olive oil to a large ovenproof pan. Sear the pork over medium-high
heat until very brown on all sides. Remove pork from the pan; let rest
on a platter for 10 to 15 minutes.

Leaving an even coating, drain excess oil from the pan. Add onions;
sweat over low heat until translucent. Return pork to the pan; add
remaining ingredients. Cover pan, place in the oven and cook for 2 to
3 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 140 to 150 degrees
F. Let pork rest 10 to 15 minutes before slicing


Chipolte's rice has middle-eastern overtones.

CHIPOLTE'S BASMATI RICE
-----------------------

  1 teaspoon vegetable oil or butter
  2 tsp. fresh cilantro
2/3 cup white basmati rice
  1 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
  1 Lime

In a 2-quart heavy saucepan, heat oil or butter over low heat,
stirring occasionally until melted. Add rice and lime juice, stir for
1 minute. Add water and salt, bring to a full rolling boil. At
boiling, cover, turn down to simmer over low heat until rice is tender
and the water is absorbed, about 25 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork.

[bahs-MAH-tee]
Basmati is a long-grained rice, with a fine texture. It can be found
in Middle Eastern and India markets, as well as some supermarkets.


The source of these recipes is attributed to Chipolte's Executive Chef
(and CEO), Steve Ellis.



The Chipolte's Nutrition Calculator lists 4 oz. (1/2 cup, or a serving
the size of a tennis ball) as the amount of meat in a Chipolte's
Gourmet Burrito. The Calculator also shows a 13" flour tortilla is
used. Many chain restaurants use proprietary Mission tortillas -- made
specifically for the chain to their own recipe specification, by
Mission. You may find that the only way to duplicate taste, thickness
and moistness of the tortillas is to make them yourself.

You may view the Nutrition Calculator at:
http://www.freestartster.com/chipotle/

Working backward, you may be able to suss out the exact amount of the
ingredients or toppings you prefer on your burritos.

According to vegan protests, Chipolte's Refried Beans are cooked with
bacon, for flavoring.

I'm unable to find a Chipolte's Refried Beans copycat recipe, but here
is my mom's recipe, which she learned as a child growing up in
Phoenix. I'll include her Flour Tortilla recipe as well.

REFRIED BEANS
-------------

  1 lb. pinto beans
1/2 cup bacon drippings
  1 teaspoon salt
  6 cups lukewarm water

Pick over the beans and wash thoroughly in cold water, drain, add
lukewarm water and salt, and cook gently in a deep pot for about 2
hours or until the beans are tender. Stir frequently so that the beans
cook very evenly throughout.

In a large skillet, heat the bacon drippings over medium high heat.
Drain the beans, reserving the liquid. Add one large spoonful of
cooked beans to the hot oil, and mash down. Add a teaspoon of the
reserved pot liquid and stir. Repeat until all the beans are mashed.
Add liquid as needed until the right thickness is obtained, stirring
constantly.

HOMEMADE TORTILLAS DE HARINA
----------------------------

    2 cups flour
    2 tablespoons of lard, or vegetable shortening
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
  1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  2/3 cup water

Sift together the flour and the salt, cut in the shortening until well
mixed. Stir in cold water and form into a ball. Use more water if
needed until the bowl is clean of all dough. Knead well in the bowl or
on a floured board. Make the dough into balls the size of a large egg
(makes 8). Rub a little shortening on each ball, and let stand for 10
minutes. Pat thin, or roll out very thin with a rolling pin until the
tortilla is the desired size, up to 13 inches in diameter. Lift from
board into an ungreased skillet or frying pan, on medium heat. Turn
only once, allowing the tortilla to brown very lightly on each side.
The tortillas will become very slightly thicker as they cook. If they
are thicker than you prefer, omit the baking soda.


No Chipolte's Mild Salsa recipe, unfortunately. And just a small
variation in amount of ingredients can make such a difference to the
taste. I'm sorry that I can't actually help on that score. I'd
recommend trying various fresh (packaged) salsas if you're able to get
them, rather than cooked. I find that a very small pinch of sugar
(about 1/8 teaspoon) added to most brands of fresh salsas will bring
out the flavors

For cheese, select a very mild cheddar (or Colby) and shred it
yourself. If too "cheddary" mix it with Monterey Jack to tone it down.
I find that cheese is a bit stronger on that side of the Pond.


I know how difficult it can be to obtain the proper ingredients
abroad. You may find you need to order authentic tastes via the
Internet. MexGrocer carries all the ingredients, and will ship
internationally.

MexGrocer