Not Your Average Quesadilla

Thanks to my friend Lynn Socko I have a fridge full of yummy ingredients that became last night's dinner for family and tomorrow's take-to-work lunch for me. I haven't come up with a name for this unconventional combination of deliciousness, so for now I'll call it "Not Your Average Quesadilla". It contains Lynn's creamy, mildly spiced pimento cheese, her pico de gallo, Mrs Dash Southwest Chipotle salt free seasoning, and fat free canned re-fried beans. I must admit it would be more "Lynn like" if I had made her unfried no-fat refried beans, but Lynn honey, you move too fast for me and I haven't had a chance to make those little gems yet. But I will- you know I will.

Unlike my usual recipes I'm not giving specific measurements for the ingredients. Whatever you come up with will be tasty.

Not Your Average Quesadilla
Ingredients Inspired by Lynn Socko

Flour tortillas
Refried beans- I use the fat free in a can
Pimento cheese- I've posted this recipe on the blog within the last few weeks
Lynn's pico de gallo- recipe to follow
Mrs Dash Southwest Chipotle salt free seasoning
Cooking spray

Some Garnishes
Diced avocado dressed with lemon juice
Chopped lettuce
Salsa
Low fat sour cream or no fat plain yogurt
Shredded cheese
Sliced olives

To make the Pico de Gallo:
1 medium onion finely diced- I also threw in some scallions
2 small jalapeno peppers, ribs and seeds removed
2 firm Roma tomatoes
1 T fresh cilantro
1/2 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp black pepper
pinch of cumin

Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate until you're ready to use. By the way, prior to using the pico in the quesadillas earlier in the week, I slathered it on some oven baked tortilla chips. And occasionally dove in spoon first, and enjoyed it that way.

To Assemble the Quesadillas:
On one side of the tortilla spread refried beans and sprinkle with Mrs Dash.

Now add the pico. Doesn't that look good already?

Top the pico with the pimento cheese and cover with another tortilla. Place in pre heated pan that has been coated with cooking spray. Cook 2-3 minutes on medium heat. Flip and cook another 2 minutes until both sides are golden.

Let cool a few minutes since the cheese tends to be very runny and needs time to set up. Slice into 4-8 portions and dig into this Not Your Average Quesadilla.

Last night when I made these, I added some left over chicken that I shredded and layered in between the pico and the pimento cheese. Just that little addition of chicken made this a very hearty meal. I served the quesas with a Bibb Lettuce based salad topped with garlic, lemon-kissed avocados (a marinade I will post soon). It was a very satisfying meal, with a very satisfied cook.