Quick quesadillas

Hi !

It’s true, I have a problem. Quesadillas! To be honest Mexican food in general but let’s stay focused shall we?

A quesadilla is a tortilla filled with cheese and anything else you like, then cooked in a dry frying pan on a medium heat for 2-3 minutes on each side. Traditionally a corn tortilla would be used but I normally use a flour tortilla as we almost always have them in the house. Quesadillas can be eaten on their own or with guacamole, salsa and salad or left to cool for a tasty snack on the go!

Two tortillas with a layer of cheese between them is called a full quesadilla and a half is one tortilla filled with cheese and folded over on itself.

As mentioned above you can put anything you like in a quesadilla, which is ideal for a quick tea on Monday nights using leftovers from the weekend.

Below are a couple of suggestions you could use for inspiration (or what to avoid!!!).

BBQ chicken, pineapple and jalapeno

My personal favourite!

Ingredients:

• 1 flour tortilla

• grated cheddar cheese

• Some leftover cooked chicken

• ½ tsp Cajun seasoning

• pineapple

• pickled jalapenos

• 2 tbsp BBQ sauce

• chopped fresh tomato

• red onion

Instructions:

Spread the BBQ sauce thinly over the tortilla (or each tortilla if making a full quesadilla). Sprinkle the chicken, onion, tomatoes, jalapenos, pineapple and Cajun seasoning evenly on top of half the tortilla (or all over the bottom tortilla for a full). Lastly, sprinkle the cheese evenly and fold (or place the other tortilla on top sauce side down). Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until the tortilla is browned and crisp. Once crisp, remove from the pan and leave to rest for a couple of minutes so when you cut the quesadilla the toppings won’t run everywhere! Cut and serve.

Pizzadilla

What my kids affectionately call a pizzadilla!

Ingredients:

• 1 flour tortilla

• grated cheddar cheese

• 2 tbsp passata

• 1 tsp tomato puree

• ¼ tsp dried oregano

• ¼ tsp dried basil

Instructions:

In a bowl mix the passata, tomato puree, dried herbs and a small pinch of salt then spread thinly over the tortilla (or each tortilla if making a full quesadilla). Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the tortilla and fold (or place the other tortilla on top sauce side down). Follow the cooking instructions above and buen provecho!

Other suggestions include cheese, chorizo and potato, cheese chilli jam and red onion or a breakfast quesadilla with cheese, eggs and bacon.

Happy cooking!

Chef Stu