The Ultimate Quesadilla
A quesadilla is a heated tortilla with melted cheese inside. But in addition to cheese, you can put practically anything in a quesadilla.
Servings: 1 per person
Ingredients
- Large flour tortillas
- Grated cheese such as mild or sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack
- Olive oil or butter
Optional:
- Sliced mushrooms
- Green onions
- Black olives sliced
- Fresh tomatoes diced
- Chicken pieces
- Avocado
- Lettuce
- Apple cider vinegar
- Kosher salt
Instructions
- Heat the tortillas until air pockets form: Heat a large skillet (cast iron works great) on medium high heat. Add a small amount of oil (about ½ teaspoon) and spread it around the bottom of the pan with a spatula (you could use butter as well).Take one large flour tortilla and place it in the pan. Flip the tortilla over a few times, 10 seconds between flips. Air pockets should begin to form within the tortilla.
- Add the cheese and other ingredients: When pockets of air begin to form, take a handful of grated cheese, sprinkle over the top of the tortilla, making sure that the cheese does not land on the pan itself.Add whatever additional ingredients you choose: green onion, sliced mushrooms, olives, tomatoes, etc. If you would like your quesadilla to be a chicken quesadilla, add some diced cooked chicken.Take care not to layer on the ingredients too thickly, as they may not heat through properly.
- Lower the heat and cover pan: Reduce the heat to low and cover the pan. The pan should be hot enough by now to have plenty of residual heat to melt the cheese and brown the tortilla. If the quesadilla begins to smoke too much, remove from the heat.After a minute, check to see if the cheese is melted. If not, return the cover and keep checking every minute until the cheese is melted.
- Fold the tortilla over: When the cheese is sufficiently melted, use a spatula to lift up one side of the quesadilla and flip over the other side, as if you were making an omelette.The tortilla should by now be browned slightly. If it is not browned, turn the heat up to high and flip the quesadilla over every 10 seconds or so until it gets browned.
- Remove quesadilla from pan and cut into wedges: To make the lettuce to accompany the quesadilla, thinly slice some iceberg lettuce. Sprinkle some cider vinegar and salt on it.Serve with the lettuce, salsa, sour cream, and guacamole.
Notes
A tip about using meat in a quesadilla: the cooking time may not be sufficient to heat the meat through. You may want to preheat it before adding.