Quesadillas are great because you can put anything in them. I was looking for a quick dinner and quesadillas came to mind. They don’t take long to make and that makes them a winner. My son wanted shrimp, so shrimp quesadillas it is. You just need to decide what else you want in there besides cheese of course.
What is a quesadilla?
The quesadilla originated in 16th century colonial Mexico. It is a Mexican dish that consists of a tortilla filled with cheese and sometimes meats and vegetables. They can be made with two tortillas or one that is folded over. They have been adapted in the U.S. and take on many different variations.
Making a quesadilla is fun and easy, so let’s get started. Why pay for them when you can make them at home?
First, decide what you want to fill it with. You can keep it simple with cheese only or be creative and add some shredded meat and vegetables. Mine has shrimp, cheese, sauteed onions, pineapple and peppers. I wasn’t sure about the pineapple at first, but it gave it a little sweetness.
INGREDIENTS FOR SHRIMP QUESADILLAS
- shrimp
- Peppadew peppers
- gluten free dairy free cheddar cheese – Daiya
- diced pineapple
- 2 medium onions, sauteed
- gluten free dairy free sour cream – wayfare
- gluten free tortillas – Mission store bought or homemade
- scallions – over the top (optional)
- gluten free salsa – Green Mountain Gringo
Melt one tablespoon of margarine and one tablespoon of olive oil over medium low heat in a frying pan. Slice the onions, add them to the pan, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook until soft.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for the shrimp.
Place the shrimp on an oven safe tray lined with parchment paper. Drizzle a little olive oil over them, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook for 1 minute per side.
Heat a non stick frying pan over medium heat, then place a tortilla in the pan. Add shrimp, onions, pineapple, peppers and cheese to one half. Fold the tortilla in half and let it cook for about 2-3 minute. Check to see if the underside is crispy, then flip and cook an additional 2-3 minutes. Make sure the cheese is melted before taking the quesadilla out of the pan.
Take the shrimp quesadillas out of the pan, cut in half and top with scallions. Serve with sour cream and salsa.