Quesadilla is a Mexican speciality. It is basically a flour or corn( or mixture of both) tortilla( tortilla is similar to Rotis) filled with a savoury mixture containing cheese, refried beans and/or vegetables, cooked often on a griddle, then folded in half to form a half-moon shape.
This is a wholesome, healthy and a very delicious dish. Not difficult to make, but takes time.
And when you see everyone eating with relish, you will certainly feel that it was worth the effort. Needless to say, it was a super hit with my kids:)
Ingredients
For the Tortillas
Maize flour ( makai ka atta)-11/2 cups
Maida- 1 cup
Salt to taste
For the Refried Beans
Kidney beans ( rajma) – 1 cup
Onion- 2 small
Garlic- 2 cloves
Tomato- 1
Oil- 4 tsps + as required for grilling
Red chilli powder- 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste
For the Vegetables
Onion- 2 big
Carrot- 2
Capsicum- 1 big
Cabbage – little
Oil- 2 tsps
Grated mozzarella cheese- 2 cups
Method
For the Tortillas
Mix maize flour, maida and salt well and knead to a smooth and pliable dough using warm water.
Cover with a moist cloth and rest the dough for an hour.
Divide the dough into 8 portions.
Dust with flour, roll into rotis.
Cook on a tawa on both sides and keep it aside.
For the Refried Beans
Soak kidney beans overnight ( 6-8) hours.
Chop onions, garlic and tomato finely.
Pressure cook kidney beans along with half of the chopped onions, garlic and tomato.
After the first whistle, reduce the flame and cook for 5-6 more whistles.
Heat 4 tsps of oil in a pan. Add the remaining chopped onions. Sauté till the onions turn slightly golden. Add the cooked kidney beans, salt to taste and red chilli powder. Mix and mash it well. Cook till it becomes a thick gravy. Cool and keep it aside.
For the vegetables
Chop all the vegetables.
Heat oil in a pan. Add the onions. Sauté for a min and then add capsicum and carrot. Sauté for few mins and the add chopped cabbage. Add salt to taste and sauté till the vegetables are tender but crisp.
Cool and keep it aside
To make the Quesadillas
Place a tortilla.
Place some vegetables on one half of the tortilla. Top it with some refried beans and generous amount of grated mozzarella cheese.
Fold the tortilla. You will get a half moon shape.
Grill it on a tawa using oil ( or butter) till it turns golden. Flip gently and cook till the other side too turns golden.
Cut into triangles and serve hot with ketchup or salsa or sour cream:)
