Beef Quesadilla

This is another Mexican or a TexMex dish that is served as an appetizer in Mexican restaurants.  But I like to eat it as a meal and not just an appetizer.  It is actually filling.

There are a few renditions of making quesadillas and this is my own version.

I did not do justice to this picture because I was already eating when I thought and remembered to take a picture of it.  But it should give you an idea of how it should look before cutting it.

This particular Quesadilla has ground beef filling.

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 clove garlic crushed or minced fine
• ½ medium onion minced
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• ¼ tsp. cumin powder
• 1 small can diced green chilies
• 2 scoops of canned Refried Beans
• ¼ tsp. salt
• 1 TBS. Taco Sauce (optional)
• Shredded Jack Colby cheese or Cheddar Colby or any desired cheese
• Medium size flour Tortillas for burritos
• Butter or margarine

Brown ground beef and drain if there is too much liquid.  Add the garlic to the ground beef and stir until fragrant then add the onions.  Cook stirring until soft.  Add the rest of the ingredients. Cook for about 5 minutes.  Set aside.

Spread butter generously on one side of a tortilla.  Put the buttered side on a hot heavy skillet. Lower the heat to low.  Add one fourth (1/4) of the meat and spread it on the tortilla, then add a handful of cheese.  Place another buttered tortilla on top of the filling with the buttered side on the top. Cook for a couple of minutes and turn over with a spatula, holding the top with your hand or another spatula to prevent from spilling.  Cook for another couple of minutes or until crisp and the cheese is melted.  Transfer to an individual plate.  Makes 4 to 6 medium size Quesadillas.  Cut in fourths as in a pie. Eat it while hot and crisp.

Garnish with chopped tomatoes, onions and cilantro like Pico de Gallo, sour cream, sliced Jalapenos for Nachos and guacamole. Have Salsa or Taco Sauce on the side.

Short cut to this is to cook the ground beef with Taco Seasoning as for making Tacos.

Variations:

Omit the meat for Cheese Quesadillas. 

Use Spinach for veggie Quesadillas. (Find Spinach Quesadillas recipe here)

Use Fajitas instead of ground beef for Fajita Quesadillas. Endless variations.