Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Quesadillas
    Quesadillas
    Quesadillas
    Ebook151 pages3 hours

    Quesadillas

    By Donna Meeks Kelly

    3.5/5

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    In Quesadillas, the gooey little snacks we all used to make as kids have grown up into flavorful, hearty meals and desserts bursting with flavor. Favorites include Roasted Veggie and Goat Cheese, Thai Peanut, Parmesan-Crusted Italian, Chicken Caesar, Philly Cheesesteak, Peanut Butter Apple, Triple Chocolate Decadence, and Pecan-Crusted Pear.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherGibbs Smith
    Release dateMar 1, 2010
    ISBN9781423616658
    Quesadillas
    Author

    Donna Meeks Kelly

    Sandra Hoopes recently graduated from culinary school with an added pastry certificate. She enjoys taking cooking classes from great chefs in Phoenix, Santa Fe and at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. Sandra is currently the Foods Editor for the Puma Press in Phoenix.

    Read more from Donna Meeks Kelly

    Related to Quesadillas

    Related ebooks

    Cooking, Food & Wine For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Comforting Casseroles

      Jun 23, 2020

      Comforting Casseroles
      9 min read

    • Article

      Amish Cinnamon Bread

      Nov 6, 2018

      LIKE THOSE OF many native Midwesterners, my best childhood memories revolve around food. One whiff of the intoxicating aroma of Amish cinnamon bread (also called Amish friendship bread) and I’m instantly transported back to my mom’s kitchen—she spent

      4 min read

    • Article

      Chili Time

      Jul 25, 2023

      Chili Time
      6 min read

    • Article

      Cheesy and Convenient

      Jan 18, 2022

      Cheesy and Convenient
      1 min read

    • Article

      Tortillas

      May 23, 2023

      Tortillas
      4 min read

    • Article

      Carrot Cake

      Jan 25, 2022

      Carrot Cake
      6 min read

    • Article

      Easy Weeknight Meal Planner

      Aug 23, 2022

      Easy Weeknight Meal Planner
      4 min read

    • Article

      Christmas Starters and Sides

      Nov 19, 2021

      Christmas Starters and Sides
      9 min read

    • Article

      Easy Skillet Cake

      Jan 24, 2023

      Easy Skillet Cake
      1 min read

    • Article

      Made with Love

      Oct 5, 2021

      Made with Love
      6 min read

    • Article

      Classic Pies

      Sep 14, 2021

      Classic Pies
      14 min read

    • Article

      Plenty For A Potluck

      Mar 22, 2022

      Plenty For A Potluck
      3 min read

    • Article

      Sweet Southern Salad

      Jan 25, 2022

      Sweet Southern Salad
      2 min read

    • Article

      Walk-Away Boneless Prime Rib

      Nov 3, 2020

      Walk-Away Boneless Prime Rib
      3 min read

    • Article

      Pumpkins Aplenty

      Jul 28, 2020

      Pumpkins Aplenty
      8 min read

    • Article

      NOVELTY Treats

      May 28, 2019

      NOVELTY Treats
      5 min read

    • Article

      Recipe Index

      Sep 14, 2021

      Recipe Index
      1 min read

    • Article

      Salted Caramel Pretzel Cake

      Mar 10, 2020

      Salted Caramel Pretzel Cake
      1 min read

    • Article

      Broth

      Oct 26, 2021

      Broth
      2 min read

    • Article

      Sweet Strawberries

      Jan 19, 2021

      Sweet Strawberries
      4 min read

    • Article

      Sensational Sammies

      Jul 12, 2022

      Sensational Sammies
      2 min read

    • Article

      Granny’s Pink Rice

      Jan 24, 2023

      Granny’s Pink Rice
      2 min read

    • Article

      Pies, Cobblers & Crisps

      Dec 7, 2021

      Pies, Cobblers & Crisps
      5 min read

    • Article

      Scrumptious Summer Breads

      Mar 21, 2023

      Scrumptious Summer Breads
      4 min read

    • Article

      TASTE Of Home

      Aug 25, 2022

      TASTE Of Home
      2 min read

    • Article

      Feeding Your Family

      Jan 24, 2023

      Feeding Your Family
      4 min read

    • Article

      Recipe Index

      Oct 5, 2021

      Recipe Index
      1 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Quesadillas

    3.5/5

    4 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      Quesadillas - Donna Meeks Kelly

      Chart

      Introduction

      Quesadilla’s Roots

      Simply put, the quesadilla is a delightful package of strong-flavored foods with melted cheesy goodness—all sandwiched inside crispy tortillas. It is the ultimate blend of Southwest Old World tradition and New World foods. When the conquistadores arrived in Mexico in the fifteenth century, they found the natives eating what they described as corn cakes. These were the ancestors of what we call tortillas today. These natives used tortillas like the Europeans used bread—as a side dish for their meals. They also used them as utensils, as a sort of edible plate or a spoon to hold other foods while eating. The Spaniards had enjoyed pastries stuffed with fillings and eaten like a sandwich, so the transition to using tortillas instead of pastry was an easy one. The word quesadilla is loosely translated to English as little cheese snack. Since the popular filling for these bundles was cheese, the term fit.

      I grew up a few miles north of the Mexican border in Tucson, Arizona, where quesadillas were a staple in most households. They were a cinch for us kids to make—we just added a few handfuls of grated cheese to a tortilla, folded it over, and cooked it in a skillet until the cheese was melted and the tortilla had browned. And, with the invention of microwave ovens, quesadilla time went from mere minutes to seconds. They were the perfect after-school snack food. And the adults made fancier versions as appetizers for parties or with more fillings as a main dish.

      Over the years, quesadillas have become increasingly popular in America. The foods and spices of most cultures are now often captured inside a quesadilla. The two essential ingredients are tortillas, which form the crisp outside crust, and cheese, which is necessary as the glue that melts and holds the quesadilla together.

      Quesadillas are so simple, delicious, and easy to make that their popularity has survived centuries of time.

      Cooking Techniques

      There are several popular methods for making quesadillas. They can be baked, grilled, microwaved, or pan cooked, with or without oil. There are even specialty quesadilla makers available in the kitchen department of many stores. All methods use high heat to ensure the crispiness of the tortillas.

      Baking

      To bake quesadillas, simply put the stuffed tortillas on a wire rack that is standing on a baking sheet and place in the middle of the oven. Bake for about 20 minutes at 425 degrees. The actual baking time will vary according to how much filling is in each quesadilla. The more filling a quesadilla has, the longer it will take to bake. The goal is to have a quesadilla with the cheese fully melted, the filling heated through, and the tortilla crispy. Watch closely the last few minutes to make sure the tortillas don’t become too brown. Cook until tortillas have browned and filling is cooked through. Nut- or cheese-crusted quesadillas require the baking method because the nuts and cheese loosen when turning quesadillas in a skillet.

      Grilling

      For grilling, place quesadillas on a hot grill with very low flames. Close cover and wait a minute or two, watching closely so tortillas don’t become too brown. Turn over with a wide spatula, close cover, and grill another minute or two, or until tortillas have browned and filling is cooked through.

      Microwaving

      Microwaving quesadillas can be done, but you will not have a crisp, crunchy texture. If you prefer your quesadillas soft, then fill the tortillas and place in a microwave. Cook on high for about 60 seconds, then remove quesadilla, wipe plate dry, turn the quesadilla over, and cook about 60 seconds more. Actual time will vary depending on how much filling is in the quesadilla. Cook until filling is cooked through and cheese is melted.

      Toasting in a Skillet

      The best method for cooking quesadillas is in a dry, covered skillet over medium heat, or in a quesadilla maker. When using a skillet, it should be dry, with no oil or butter used, in order to prevent oily or burned quesadillas. This toasting method also ensures that the filling will be cooked through, the cheese will be melted, and the tortillas will be crisp and browned. I prefer cooking quesadillas with two flat tortillas rather than one folded tortilla, because this ensures more even cooking. Choose a skillet that is just slightly wider than your tortillas. For example, use a 10-inch skillet for tortillas that are 8 to 9 inches in diameter.

      Start by placing a dry tortilla in a skillet that has been heated to medium heat. Place the filling ingredients on the tortilla, making sure that there is some cheese both on the top and the bottom of the filling. This will help the quesadilla stick together. Place another tortilla on top. Cover with a tight-fitting lid. This will hold the heat in and cook the quesadilla all the way through without burning the outside of the tortillas. Let the quesadilla cook for a minute or two. Check to see if the bottom tortilla has browned. If so, turn the quesadilla over with a very wide spatula. Place lid on skillet and cook another minute or two, or until bottom tortilla has browned, filling

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1