Quesadilla (pronounced: ‘kesa-Deeya’) is a famous dish from Mexico. They are made by stuffing tortillas with different types of fillings on the open side with cheese and roasted till cheese melts. The filled tortillas are folded into a semi-circle or half moon shape and served. Sometimes they are cut into quarters or 6s or 8s and they make a great starter dish for a party. There are many ways of making a quesadilla. It is really all about the different types of fillings. Fresh homemade tortillas are the best to hold the quesadilla together. Tortillas are like thin rotis without any oil, made using whole wheat flour or corn flour or white flour. Here, I have used fresh homemade whole wheat tortillas. Slowly caramelized onions taste sweet along with with some sweet red chillis. Quesadillas need patience while assembling, an easy way is to put together all ingredients, making them will then be a breeze.
- ¾ Cup whole wheat flour
- A pinch of salt
- Luke warm water to make dough
- 1 Cup finely chopped spinach
- 1 Tsp olive oil
- 1 chopped clove of garlic
- Salt to taste
- ¼ Tsp ground black pepper
- 1 sliced big red onion
- 1 Tsp olive oil
- 1 Tsp sugar
- Salt to taste
- ¼ Tsp ground black pepper
- 1 sliced sweet red chilli or fresh jalapeño or jarred jalapeño
- 1 sliced avocado
- ½ Cup grated cheese (cheddar, cheddar jack, pepper jack or any cheese like Amul)
- Sour cream (optional)
- Ketchup
- Coriander or cilantro leaves to garnish
- Make a tight dough with whole wheat flour, salt and water. Rub in a little oil. Divide the dough, make whole wheat tortillas by rolling dough into a thin disc like a roti
- Lightly roast the tortilla on one side and until golden spots appear on the other side. Keep them aside
- In a small pan, heat oil, add sliced onions and let them slowly caramelize. Add sugar, salt and ground pepper. Empty pan and keep aside
- In same pan, heat oil add chopped garlic and spinach. Sauté till spinach shrinks and then add salt and ground black pepper. Keep aside
- Gather all fillings together. Sprinkle avocado with some ground black pepper
- To make quesadillas, on a warm tawa or skillet, place a tortilla on lightly done side. Spread some caramelized onions. Remember tawa should be on low-medium flame or tortilla will burn on the underside while you are adding fillings
- Smear the sautéed spinach all over
- Place sliced sweet red chilli or sliced jalapeños
- Place some sliced avocados all over
- Sprinkle (or pile on) some cheese all over
- Fold and roast for a minute till cheese melts
- Garnish with coriander leaves and serve immediately with sour cream, ketchup
Change fillings as you desire
Use thick smooth creamy yogurt in place of sour cream to serve
Stepwise:
Make a tight dough with whole wheat flour, salt and water. Rub in a little oil. Divide the dough, make whole wheat tortillas by rolling dough like a roti. Make them thin
Lightly roast the tortilla on one side and until golden spots appear on the other side. Keep them aside
In a small pan, heat oil, add sliced onions and let them slowly caramelize. Add sugar, salt and ground pepper. Empty pan and keep aside
In same pan, heat oil add chopped garlic and spinach. Sauté till spinach shrinks and then add salt and ground black pepper. Keep aside
Gather all fillings together. Sprinkle avocado with some ground black pepper
To make quesadillas, on a warm tawa or skillet, place a tortilla on lightly done side. Spread some caramelized onions. Remember tawa should be on low-medium flame or tortilla will burn on the underside while you are adding fillings
Smear the sautéed spinach all over
Place sliced sweet red chilli or sliced jalapeños
Place some sliced avocados all over
Sprinkle (or pile on) some cheese all over
Fold and roast for a minute till cheese melts
Garnish with coriander leaves and serve immediately with sour cream, ketchup. Slice them into quarters if you like
