Bean and Cheese Quesadillas
Every family needs a couple of dinners that are your “backup” plan. These are meals for which you always keep the ingredients in the house. You can pull these meals together in 20 minutes or less when all your plans fall apart and you end up home at dinnertime, and everyone is hungry and cranky. Bean and cheese quesadillas are one of those meals in my house. I always have tortillas in my freezer, a can of beans in my pantry, and cheese in my fridge. In less than 20 minutes, dinner is served.
Bean and Cheese Quesadillas
Corn or Flour Tortillas (Whichever your family prefers. Corn are usually gluten free.)
1 Can Refried Beans
1 Cup Shredded Cheese (I usually use cheddar, but monterey jack, pepper jack and Mexican blend all work well.)
Optional Extras
Pickled Jalapenos (chopped fine)
Green Onions (white and green parts sliced thinly)
Salsa
Sour Cream
Guacamole
Pico de gallo
Directions
When making quesadillas for a family, I find it easiest to use a large pancake griddle. You can use a nonstick or cast iron skillet, but it only cooks one at a time and I can usually get three on my electric griddle. You will need two tortillas for each quesadilla. I like to lay out one for each person in my family. Spread the refried beans on one tortilla per person. You do not want to make it too thick or it will ooze out the sides when you cut them. For a 6 inch tortilla I use 2-3 heaping Tablespoons of beans.
Heat the griddle to high heat or heat up the skillet over medium high heat. Place the tortillas with beans on the hot griddle or skillet. Divide the cheese among all the quesadillas and top with any optional toppings. Place a second tortilla on top of each quesadilla. Cook over high heat for about three minutes until brown. Gently use a spatula to flip the quesadillas and cook the second side for another 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and the tortilla has browned. **Note** I like to sprinkle a little extra cheese around the edge of the tortilla. It will get brown and crisp and is my favorite part to eat.
Remove the quesadillas from the griddle or skillet to a cutting board and use a pizza cutter to slice it into 6 triangles. Serve with salsa, sour cream, guacamole and pico de gallo if you wish.
