They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I can’t say I have the first clue who they are, but I can say this: Flattering others is not a roadmap to success. Therefore, despite what you may have heard, imitating others is of questionable benefit when it comes to being successful.
Passion is an integral component of the human experience. We all have things that we are passionate about. Some of our passions are learned, and some of them are present from the time we are born, almost as if they are ingrained as part of our DNA.
But whether a passion is learned or inherited they all have one thing in common. Our passions are the fuel for our success in life. Passion is what keeps us motivated, without it, few of us can sustain anything over the long haul.
Passion has obvious symptoms. It is easy to identify those who are passionate about what they are doing in life. They all have the following two traits in common: They have been doing what they do for a long time. They still enjoy it.
That’s it. It isn’t any more complicated than that. If a person is not passionate about what they are doing, they will with absolute certainty burn out. At this point, unless some outside influence or obligation is preventing it, they will stop doing it.
Change is not a substitute for passion. In the absence of passion, many people settle for change. Change provides short-term excitement because it usually brings with it a new experience or challenge which can temporarily compensate for a lack of passion. A new job that is not your dream job will be more enjoyable simply because it is new and you have not yet had time to become bored or otherwise disillusioned.
When you get as old as I am, you kind of believe there's nothing new under the sun, but there's always a fresh way of looking at something. In today’s world of social media, it seems everyone is a copycat. So, whether you are borrowing something to create your version, give credit where it is due. In the end, something old can be something new to someone else. Sometimes you have to reach back to move forward. While imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, it takes real imagination to make it uniquely yours.
Resist the urge to get on board with somebody else’s passion. Live your life authentically and others will love you for it. God only creates masterpieces, so you are already an original, and one of his favorites, too.
Copycat Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl with Cilantro Lime Rice & Spicy Marinated Red Onions
INGREDIENTS
For the Chicken
- 2-pounds chicken thighs, boneless
- 1 12 oz can chipotle peppers in Adobe sauce, using paste only or 2-3 chopped peppers, optional (I sometimes use the whole can)
- 1 ½ tablespoons Spice World Minced Garlic
- ¾ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 ½-2 teaspoon salt, add more to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1-2 tablespoons oil, olive, or vegetable (more if you would like to add to the marinade)
For the Onions
- 1 large red onion, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 ½ cups apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup water
- 2 teaspoons fine sea salt
- 2-3 tablespoons sugar
- 1-2 heaping tablespoons Spice World Chili Onion Crunch
For the Rice
- 1 cup long-grain brown rice, rinsed well and drained
- 1½ cups water
- 3 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves Spice World Organic Peeled Garlic, finely minced
- 4 scallions, finely chopped
- Zest and juice from a large lime
- ½ teaspoon each of sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper
- ½ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
INSTRUCTIONS
For the Chicken
- Add the chicken thighs, olive oil, chipotle Adobe, peppers (if using), and spices to a large bowl. Mix all together to coat the chicken evenly in the marinade. Refrigerate for at least one hour up to overnight for the most flavor. If you don’t have time, don’t worry. It will still be delicious!
- Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. If necessary, add oil to the pan. Add the chicken, making sure not to crowd. Cook in batches if needed. Cook for 5-6 minutes or until golden brown. Flip over. Allow the other side to brown, for about 6 minutes. Add a splash of chicken broth to the pan to scrape to cut all the flavorful bits stuck to the bottom. Turn the heat to low and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Alternatively, bake chicken in a 425F oven for 20 minutes.
- Remove chicken from skillet and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Cut into bite-size pieces. Add juices from your pan to the chicken for extra flavor.
- Serve over cilantro rice and pile on your favorite Chipotle toppings such as black or pinto beans, Pico de Gallo, sour cream, cheese, guacamole, shredded lettuce, and my spicy marinated red onions. Serve immediately and enjoy!
For the Onions
- In a small saucepan, stir together the vinegar, water, salt, and sugar. Cook over medium-high heat until the mixture reaches a simmer. Whisk in chili onion crunch.
- Place the thinly sliced onions in a jar with a lid. Pour the hot vinegar mixture over the onions, screw on the lid, and shake the onions briefly until they are evenly coated with the vinegar mixture.
- Let the onions marinate for 30 minutes. (You may need to press the onions down with a spoon so that they are all submerged under the vinegar mixture.)
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Combine the rice, water, and 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a medium saucepan with a lid. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 20 minutes (or cook according to package directions).
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Uncover and fluff with a fork. Add the garlic, scallions, and lime zest and stir to combine. Let cool for 1 minute, then add the remaining 2 teaspoons of olive oil, salt, pepper, lime juice, and cilantro. Stir to combine and season to taste.
