Except for a bowl of cereal, this is the easiest meal for me to prepare. But, ease of preparation isn't the main reason to make quesadillas. It's the taste. They're so delicious I often find myself craving them. And if I have cheese and tortillas on hand, I'm always tempted to make them for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Basically, all you need is corn or wheat tortillas and some cheese. Just those three ingredients can produce a fabulous quesadilla, but I like to try different filings. In fact, it's a good way to use leftovers, which is what I did last night.
I'm sure many people have made quesadillas many times and don't need instructions, but this is how I make mine. Start with corn or wheat tortillas. I prefer corn tortillas but had some thick wheat tortillas made in a small town near us. Thinner tortillas will cook much faster, so keep that in mind. The cheese was a mixture of Monterey Jack and smoked gouda. But, you can try different mixtures of any cheese that you have on hand. As for fillings, I used leftover cooked squash, potatoes and some green onions. In the past I've also used spinach, roasted garlic, grilled steak, caramelized onions, lentils and grilled corn.
Heat a heavy skillet over medium heat until hot, place a tortilla in it and sprinkle the cheese onto the tortilla. You don't need to add any oil to the skillet. Cook until the cheese just starts to melt, then add your filling. In this picture, I used cooked squash and some cilantro salsa from a local Mexican restaurant. After you add the fillings and salsa, let the quesadilla cook until most of the cheese has melted. Fold the tortilla in half, over the filling. Put it on a plate and cut into wedges. Altogether it only took about 2-3 minutes to cook each quesadilla.
My favorite filling was squash and cooked red potato slices. Cook as described above, and cut into wedges
Of course, it's always important to do some quality control testing by eating one of the wedges.
The simplest filling was sliced green onions. Delicious.
my children might starve without quesadillas. You can put everything in them! and what two year old does not like melted cheese? what 34 year old does not like melted cheese?
Posted by: gabriella true | June 07, 2006 at 12:54 AM
Quesadillas absolutely rock! I'm fond of squash, red onions, tomatoes and smoked mozzarella.
Posted by: s'kat | June 07, 2006 at 05:21 AM
I think I might have to have quesadillas for breakfast, they look so good!
Posted by: Glenna | June 07, 2006 at 06:45 AM
Gabriella,
I think quesadillas are a very reliable dish. I've never found anyone who dislikes them. And they are great for kids.
s'kat,
I'm adding a little smoked cheese to lots of my dishes lately. It adds an extra taste to that's very nice. Even just a little adds more flavor.
Glenna,
I love quesadillas for breakfast!!!
Posted by: sher | June 07, 2006 at 10:43 AM
OMG-I LOVE quesadillas. My friend received a quesadilla maker for Christmas, and hers are delicious, even though I'm a far less adventurous eater than you are. I prefer mine with just cheese and chicken.
Posted by: Kristi | June 07, 2006 at 11:59 AM
What a coincidence,I'm making smoked turkey quesadillas tonight! By the way I've been messing around with the corn cake/arepa recipe lately and guess where they reheat best? In the toaster!
Posted by: steven | June 07, 2006 at 01:39 PM
We love quesadillas in this house although I don't know if they are "true" quesadillas. Our often have spinach, black beans, cheese, green onions, and then tomato slices and salsa on top of them. I guess they are more like burritos that are shaped & cooked like quesadillas!
Posted by: Shannon | June 07, 2006 at 06:12 PM
Kristi & Shannon,
The thing I love about quesadillas is that you can put almost anything in them!!! I've had them simple and traditional--and wild and crazy.
Steven,
I think using a toaster to reheat them is a great idea!! It would make them more like they are when you first cook them. I will try that for sure. Thanks.
Posted by: sher | June 07, 2006 at 06:29 PM
oh Sher,
please give me the one with green onions!!! Gosh! They all look delicious! I got to try!
Posted by: gattina | June 08, 2006 at 02:52 AM
oh god... I just write about being healthy and then I come here and see you writing about quesadillas. *groan* I guess I'll have to dig out my mother's light recipe for it.
Posted by: Nerissa | June 08, 2006 at 07:25 AM
Another quesadilla fan here.
One of my favorites is chopped and drained marinated artichoke hearts with sauteed red bell pepper, shrimp, and pepper jack cheese.
Posted by: Julie | June 08, 2006 at 03:14 PM
I love quesadillas, yours look great (Lots of green, it makes up for all the cheese). That's really the type of dish you can get comfortable will and make your own version. A bit like a pizza
Posted by: Céline | June 08, 2006 at 05:08 PM
Gattina,
Go to it!! The green onion version was incredibly easy.
Nerissa,
Maybe you could post your mom's recipe? Sounds good.
Julie,
Wow!! That sounds goood. I'll have to try that.
Celine,
Yes, it is like a little personal pizza.
Posted by: sher | June 09, 2006 at 01:17 AM
great alternative to a traditional toasted sandwich!
Posted by: Pamela | June 15, 2006 at 06:29 AM
Pamela,
Yes, it is! I made them tonight, in fact. When you're really rushed, they save the day.
Posted by: sher | June 16, 2006 at 12:07 AM
First time visitor. Your Quesadillas look absolutely delicious !
Posted by: Krithika | June 21, 2006 at 06:40 AM