This delicious dish originates from Mexican cuisine and is usually made using cheese and chicken. However, you don't necessarily have to use these traditional ingredients; You can experiment with different ingredients. The first part of this article will show you how to choose the ingredients, while the rest will show you different ways to make a quesadilla.
- Preparation time (using stove): 5-10 minutes
- Cooking time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 15-20 minutes
Ingredients
- tsp olive oil
- The tortilla shell measures 23-25 centimeters
- 50 grams of grated cheese
- 120 grams of selected ingredients (meat, beans, vegetables, etc.)
Step
Method 1 of 5: Frying Quesadilla on the Stove
Step 1. Choose your filling ingredients and mix them together in a bowl
You can use any combination of vegetables, meats, or beans, as long as you produce 120 grams of filling. If you're using meat or vegetables, make sure they're fully cooked. Here are some suggestions to get started:
- For meat, try thinly sliced beef steak, shredded pork, or shredded chicken breast.
- For vegetables, try sliced peppers, mushrooms, onions or corn.
- For beans, try black beans or pinto beans.
Step 2. Heat a slightly greased 30.5 cm skillet over medium or medium-high heat
You will only need teaspoon of oil. Avoid using too much oil or your quesadilla will be too wet. If using oil, try using a lighter oil such as canola oil or vegetable oil. The olive oil will give the quesadilla too strong a flavor.
Step 3. Place the tortilla shells on the pan once the butter has melted
Make sure the butter is evenly distributed over the entire surface of the pan. At this point, you can start laying out the filling or you can flip the tortilla and let it lightly burn on both sides. This will give you a crispier quesadilla.
Step 4. Spread 50 grams of Cheddar cheese evenly over the entire surface of the tortilla
If you don't like Cheddar cheese, you can use another type of grated cheese such as cheddar, Colby, Fontina, or Monterey Jack.
Step 5. Add the rest of the ingredients, to cover only half of the tortilla
You will be folding the tortilla in half later. Don't add too much filling, or your tortillas will become too puffy and tear.
Step 6. Wait for the cheese to start to melt before folding the tortilla in half
Slide a spatula under the cheesecake portion of the quesadilla and lift it up, to flip it over the top of the filling. Gently press down on the quesadilla with a spatula.
Step 7. Transfer the quesadilla onto a cutting board
If any oil remains on the tortilla, you can wipe it off with a paper towel.
Step 8. Cut the quesadilla into wedge-shaped pieces
Cut the quesadilla in half using a sharp knife, then cut each piece in half again, making four pizza-shaped slices.
Step 9. Serve the quesadilla
You can add a filling ingredient such as salsa sauce or sour cream.
Method 2 of 5: Baking Quesadilla in the Oven
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 205°C
Make sure there are no other items in your oven, and that the grill rack is in the center of the oven.
Step 2. Grease the tortilla with a little oil and place it on a baking sheet
Make sure the bottom side of the tortilla is greased or buttered. The oil will help make the quesadilla crunchy.
Step 3. Spread 25 grams of cheese on top of the tortilla
You will add the remaining cheese later; the two layers of cheese will help "glue" the quesadilla together. You can use Cheddar cheese or any other type of grated cheese.
Step 4. Add 120g of filling of your choice and spread it over the entire surface of the tortilla
If you're using meat or vegetables, make sure the filling is cooked enough; because the stuffing will only be half cooked in the oven.
Step 5. Pour in your remaining cheese
Make sure the cheese is evenly distributed over the entire surface of the quesadilla.
Step 6. Cover the quesadilla with another sheet of tortilla
Don't fold it in half, instead gently press your quesadilla with the back of your spatula; this step helps to "seale" the quesadilla.
Step 7. Bake the quesadilla for 5 minutes
Insert the baking pan into the center and close the oven.
Step 8. Flip the quesadilla and return it to the oven
Remove the baking sheet and use a spatula to flip the quesadilla. Be careful not to scatter the quesadilla. Once you've turned it over, put the quesadilla back in the oven.
Step 9. Bake the quesadilla for another 5 minutes or until golden brown
Keep an eye on it so it doesn't burn, as the quesadilla may cook sooner than expected.
Step 10. Remove the quesadilla from the oven and place it on a plate
Use a spatula to carefully lift the quesadilla off the baking sheet and transfer it to your plate.
Step 11. Cut the quesadilla into wedge-shaped pieces
Use a sharp knife and cut the quesadilla as you would a pie or pizza.
Step 12. Serve the quesadilla
You can eat them on their own or add a few other fillings like salsa or sour cream.
Method 3 of 5: Baking Quesadilla on the Grill
Step 1. Choose grated cheese and other filling ingredients, then put them in a bowl
You will need 50 grams of cheese and 120 grams of filling according to your taste; such as diced tomatoes, minced garlic, shredded chicken breast or beans. Gently stir the filling ingredients together in a clean bowl.
Step 2. Turn on your grill and set the temperature to medium heat
Avoid using too high heat; because it will only burn your quesadilla instead of overcooking it.
Step 3. Place the tortillas on the grill
Make sure the grill is clean so that none of the charcoal transfers to the tortilla.
Step 4. Spread your pugasan on half the surface of the tortilla
Remove the filling from the bowl with a spoon and transfer it to the top of the tortilla.
Step 5. Fold the tortilla in half
Work quickly, so the tortilla doesn't harden. If you wait too long, the tortilla will become crunchy and break in half. Insert a spatula on the underside of the uncovered side of the tortilla and lift it upwards to fold the tortilla in half.
Step 6. Gently press the tortilla with a spatula and let it bake for 3 to 4 minutes
Make sure you watch it so it doesn't burn.
Step 7. Turn the quesadilla over and let it bake for another 3 to 4 minutes
Slide a spatula under the quesadilla and quickly flip it over. Be careful that the quesadilla doesn't separate and scatter on the grill.
Step 8. Remove the quesadilla from the grill and serve
Use a spatula to transfer the quesadilla from the grill to a plate. Cut into wedge-shaped pieces using a sharp knife. You can eat the quesadilla on its own or serve it with a filling ingredient, such as salsa sauce or sour cream.
Method 4 of 5: Cooking Quesadilla in the Microwave
Step 1. Place a sheet of tortilla on a microwave-safe plate
To prevent the tortilla from getting soggy, try placing a piece of paper napkin under it.
Step 2. Spread 50 grams of grated cheese on top of the tortilla
Make sure the cheese is evenly distributed over the entire surface of the tortilla.
Step 3. Add 120 grams of meat, cooked vegetables or herbs
If you are using meat or vegetables, make sure these are mostly cooked through. These ingredients will cook perfectly in the microwave.
Step 4. Cover the quesadilla with another tortilla sheet
The tortilla will break if you try to fold it in half, so you will have to cover it with another tortilla. You can slightly press the new tortilla to make the quesadilla "stick together".
Step 5. Place the tortilla in the microwave and cook for 30 seconds or until the cheese is melted
These quesadillas won't be as crunchy as those made in the pan, oven or grill. If the cheese doesn't melt, cook again in the microwave for another 30 to 60 seconds.
Step 6. Transfer the quesadilla to a new plate
Old dishes are usually too hot to handle without kitchen gloves.
Step 7. Cut the tortillas into wedge-shaped pieces and serve
Try serving the quesadilla with sour cream or salsa sauce.
Method 5 of 5: Choosing Your Ingredients
Step 1. Choose melted grated cheese
When buying cheese for a quesadilla, choose a softer one; This type of cheese will melt more easily than a harder cheese. You can use any of the cheeses from the list below, or even a combination of them:
- Any uncured cheese such as: Asiago, Gouda
- Colby or Cheddar
- Fontina, Gruyère, or Havarti
- Monterey Jack or Mozzarella
- Parmesan or Provolone
- Romano or Queso Oaxaca
Step 2. Try to add fresh cheese to the mixture
Fresh cheese will have a harder time melting in a quesadilla, but it can be mixed with any type of melted cheese. Here are some suggestions of fresh cheeses to use:
- Goat Cheese
- Feta cheese
- Fromage blanc
- Ricotta
Step 3. Add some vegetables
Quesadilla doesn't have to include meat. You can add a little color and flavor with fresh or cooked vegetables. Here are some vegetable ideas that can be used:
- Fresh vegetables: young arugula leaves, young spinach, chilies, or diced tomatoes.
- Cooked vegetables: chilies, diced eggplant, roasted peppers, and sliced mushrooms.
- Canned vegetables: Black beans, black olives (sliced), chilies, corn, pinto beans, and dried tomatoes.
Step 4. Use sliced or shredded meat
This will prevent the meat from getting too big and tearing the tortilla. Make sure the meat is cooked. Here are the types of meat that you can use:
- Shredded chicken breast
- Shredded Pork
- Shrimp
- Sliced beef steak
Step 5. Flavor your quesadilla with herbs and onions
- Give your quesadilla a spicy kick with a dash of ground chili powder or chopped smoked paprika.
- Add some chopped fresh herbs, such as: basil leaves, chives, cilantro, mint, oregano, parsley, tarragon, or thyme. You can also try adding a little scallion.
- Chop and sauté some garlic, leeks, onions, scallions, or shallots.
Step 6. Try combining several different ingredients
Here are some suggestions:
- For a classic quesadilla, mix cheese and shredded chicken breast in a one-to-one ratio.
- To make a quesadilla with a southwestern flavor, add black beans and corn salsa to your cheese.
- Make a barbecue chicken quesadilla by tossing shredded chicken breast with a little barbecue sauce. For the cheese, try using Monterey Jack.
- If you like bacon, try adding some fried bacon bits and a few slices of jalapeno pepper. For the cheese, try using Cheddar.
Step 7. Try adding some toppings:
You can eat the quesadilla on its own, or make it even tastier by adding toppings like:
- Salsa sauce or pico de gallo sauce
- Guacamole
- sour cream
- Onion Slices
Tips
- Quesadilla can be made into a full dinner dish by adding many ingredients such as chicken, beef, rice or vegetables.
- Do not use oil as this will make the quesadilla soggy.
- If you are making a quesadilla for several people, store the finished one in a warm (94°C) oven while you make the rest. This will keep the quesadilla warm until you are ready to serve it.
- For a crispier quesadilla, try heating the tortilla on both sides in a buttered skillet. Once the tortilla turns golden brown, you can use it in your cooking.
