Is there a perfect diet that provides all the essential micro- and macronutrients in the right balance, including healthy fats, lean protein, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and carbs, while minimizing processed foods? The perfect diet should be personalized, tailored to your body’s needs and fitness level, and mouthwatering.
Could the perfect diet be simplified into a single form, such as a smoothie or a pill? When Josh Scherer, chef and author from Mythical Kitchen, set out to create the perfect diet for fitness influencer Will Tennyson, he chose an unexpected medium: a burrito.
As I have gotten older, I’ve drilled into what I want from life and food. I realized that all I want to eat…is a burrito.
—Josh Scherer
Breakfast Burrito
- Calories — 757
- Protein — 78 grams
- Carbs — 61 grams
- Fat — 23 grams
Tennyson’s daily intake is 2,320 calories, comprising 235 grams of protein, 210 grams of carbohydrates, and 60 grams of fat. Scherer made Tennyson a burrito packed with turkey, chorizo, eggs, and vegetables for breakfast.
With its high protein content, Scherer prepared the turkey breast chorizo, noting that it’s bursting with flavor — a standout feature compared to calorie-free spices.
Salt the hell out of your protein. That’s what’s gonna start the sausage making of it all. Salt changes the protein structures to hold more of the juices.
—Josh Scherer
Scherer seasoned the turkey generously with a blend of spices, including cumin, oregano, coriander, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, and cinnamon. He mixed everything using chopsticks.
Agitate the proteins to stretch out myosin.
—Josh Scherer
Scherer incorporated vegetables for their high fiber content, which helps promote satiety. He fried a mix of bell peppers, tomatoes, and onions before adding the turkey chorizo blend. Once everything was cooked, he tossed in fresh spinach and cracked in two eggs.
Meanwhile, he warmed a tortilla, filled it with the turkey chorizo mixture, and placed it in a heated pan. Finally, he wrapped the tortilla in foil and let it rest for five minutes, ensuring the flavors meld.
Boom! 700-something-or-other calories, 78 grams of protein, and one big, healthy breakfast burrito.
—Josh Scherer
Lunch Burrito
- Calories — 841
- Protein — 77 grams
- Carbs — 73 grams
- Fat — 22 grams
Scherer made Tennyson a minced beef larb burrito for lunch. Larb is one of Scherer’s favorite Thai dishes, packed with lean protein. The burrito’s other ingredients include cabbage, red onion, cilantro, mint, green pepper, citrus, and fish sauce — a flavorful source of protein.
To prepare, Scherer sautéd the minced beef with salt until it dried, then added dried chili, onions, jalapeños, lime juice, and fish sauce for a tangy, spicy kick. Once cooked, he removed the larb from the pan, warmed a tortilla, and layered it with a bed of cabbage to soak up the juices. He tightly wrapped the burrito in foil to let it steam as it cools.
Dinner Burrito
- Calories — 850
- Protein — 86 grams
- Carbs — 80 grams
- Fat — 20 grams
Scherer prepared a pollo asado burrito for dinner, featuring roasted or grilled chicken.
This is my absolute staple, except I’m doing some experimental things I’ve never exactly done before.
—Josh Scherer
Scherer broke down the burrito’s nutritional profile, noting that most of its carbs come from the beans. While beans are often mistaken for a primary protein source, they are high in carbohydrates and relatively low in protein.
Scherer prepared the burrito by sautéing zucchini and seasoning the chicken. Once the zucchini was cooked, he blended it with the beans to create a smooth mixture and returned it to the pan.
Scherer seared the chicken on both sides, letting it rest for five minutes before dicing it into small cubes. He warmed a tortilla in the pan, spreading the zucchini and bean mixture as the base. He layered on the chicken and vegetables, completing the burrito with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a drizzle of hot sauce.
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Featured image: @mythicalchefjosh on Instagram
