Quesadillas

You might think quesadillas are just an appetizer, but you can easily make a meal of them. And they are so easy to make. A basic quesadilla might contain just 2 ingredients, but you can, of course, add all kinds of stuff. Typically quesadillas have some kind of shredded or thinly sliced cheese and then a few other ingredients. Quesadillas are great way to use up leftovers of this and that in the fridge. Be creative with what you put in them – use combinations of things you like.

You don’t want too many items as the quesadilla should not be more than 1/2 inch thick. Cheese plus 2 additions and maybe some herbs is all you really need. You'll need about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of cheese per tortilla and only about 2 or 3 tablespoons of other ingredients. Don’t overload them! Keep them simple. 

You will use 8- or 10-inch flour tortillas. You can use the whole wheat variety as well or the flavored ones like spinach or tomato, etc. 

As you would do if doing a stir-fry, get your mise en place going – that fancy French expression which means have all of your ingredients ready – shredded, chopped, julienned, etc., before you begin assembly. 

There are 2 methods for cooking the quesadillas - in an oven or in a large fry pan. Use the oven if you are making a lot of them. If you are only making 2 or 4 use a fry pan.

FRY PAN: 

1. Place the pan on medium heat. When warmed place a tortilla in the pan. After 15 seconds flip it. After 15 more seconds remove it to a plate. This makes it more pliable for folding. 
2. Once you have warmed the tortillas spray the pan with some cooking spray. Now assemble your quesadillas. 
3. You will spread your ingredients on one side of the tortilla – sprinkle some cheese over the bottom, then your other ingredients and top with a little more cheese. Fold it over, press it down. 
4. Now place 2 folded quesadillas in the pan. Keep an eye on them. Once they brown (in 2 to 3 minutes) gently flip them over with a wide spatula and fry until brown on the second side. 
5. Remove to a plate and let cool slightly before you cut them up. Give the cheese a chance to set up. Use a pizza cutter to cut the half-moon into 3 or 4 pieces.

OVEN METHOD: 

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with some foil (non-stick foil if you have it). Place the tortillas on the sheet and put them in the oven for 1 minute to “relax” them. Remove from the oven. 
2. Spread your ingredients on one side of the tortilla – sprinkle some cheese over the bottom, then your other ingredients and top with a little more cheese. Fold it over, press it down and return to the oven for 5 to 8 minutes. 
3. Remove to a plate and let cool slightly before you cut them up. Give the cheese a chance to set up. Use a pizza cutter to cut the half-moon into 3 or 4 pieces. 

Toppings: quesadillas often have a topping or a dipping sauce. You can drizzle a little over the top after you cut them up or serve on the side for dipping. 

Some quesadilla combinations:

BASIC CHEESE QUESADILLA:
The Cheese: use 3 different cheeses - cheddar, jack, feta / cheddar, swiss, jack / cheddar, parmesan, provolone, / american, swiss, havarti ... etc. 

Add one of the following options:

• thinly sliced green onion or diced green chiles (canned) or diced jalapeños
• diced tomatoes or dollops of salsa
• thinly sliced roasted red peppers

Toppings: sour cream or salsa or salsa verde or guacamole.

_____________________________________________________________

MEXICAN QUESADILLA:
The Cheese: Shredded cheddar or shredded Mexican blend, Shredded Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack

Add of few of the following options:

• thinly sliced green onion or diced green chiles (canned) or diced jalapeños
• diced tomatoes or dollops of salsa
• corn
• black beans or refried beans
• frozen chopped spinach thawed and water squeezed out
• thinly sliced roasted red peppers
• shredded chicken
• chopped crispy bacon

Toppings: sour cream or salsa or salsa verde or guacamole. 

______________________________________________________________ 

GOAT CHEESE QUESADILLA:

The Cheese: goat cheese

Add of few of the following options:

• thinly sliced green onion
• roasted garlic
• chopped fresh chives or chopped basil or fresh parsley or dill
• chopped sun-dried tomato
• chopped crispy bacon
• salami

Toppings: salsa or salsa verde or garlic oil

______________________________________________________________  

GREEK QUESADILLA
The Cheese: crumbled Feta cheese

Add of few of the following options:

• thinly sliced green onion
• chopped sun-dried tomato
• thinly sliced mushrooms (raw or sautéed)
• sliced olives - green or black or Kalamata or an olive tapenade
• drizzles of olive oil 
• salami 

Toppings: sour cream or salsa or salsa verde or marinara or garlic oil

______________________________________________________________  

PIZZA QUESADILLA
The Cheese: Shredded mozzarella or provolone

Add of few of the following options:

• thinly sliced green onion
• diced tomato or dollops of marinara 
• thin slices of bell pepper
• chopped pepperoni or salami or thin slices of prosciutto
• thinly sliced mushrooms (raw or sautéed)
• thinly sliced basil
• drizzles of olive oil

Toppings: marinara or garlic oil

______________________________________________________________  

FRENCH QUESADILLA
The Cheese: Thin slices of Brie or Camembert or crumbled Blue Cheese 

Add of few of the following options:

• dollops of apricot jam
• thinly sliced green onion
• thin slices of prosciutto chopped

______________________________________________________________  

SWISS QUESADILLA
The Cheese: shredded Swiss or Gruyère 

Add of few of the following options:

• thinly sliced green onion
• diced tomatoes
• thin slices of bell pepper
• frozen chopped spinach thawed and water squeezed out
• thin slices of diced prosciutto or ham or country ham chopped

Click to download recipes.

...............................................................