These grilled quesadillas made with the panini
press and quick to make are just too good to resist.
The kids lunch boxes will come back empty; do we have a
win-win situation? :-)
What you need: makes 6 quesadillas
6, 7-inch homemade/store bought whole wheat tortillas
or chapatis
10 oz Mexican cheese, shredded
1 cup ground meat, seasoned and cooked (use your
own, of try a quick version, recipe below)
1/2 cup colored peppers, diced
1/2 cup lettuce, diced
1/2 cup white onions, diced
1/2 cup carrots, shredded
Salt and pepper to taste
For the seasoned meat:
1 cup ground meat, turkey or pork.
1/2 tsp garlic paste
1 tsp taco seasoning
1 tsp tomato ketchup
In a small saucepan on medium-high heat, add the
ground meat and brown; add the taco seasoning and sauté for a minute. Add in
the ketchup and 2 Tbsp of hot water. Cook for a few more minutes until the
mixture thickens. Turn off the heat.
For the quesadillas:
Heat the Panini press to medium-high heat. Once
the grill is hot and smoking, place a tortilla on the grill, start layering the
bottom half of the tortilla. Add a teaspoon of onions, and cooked ground meat.
Top that with carrots, lettuce and cheese.
Close the top half of the tortilla on it to form
a semi circle. Cover the Panini press on it gently and let it brown. Depending
on your Panini press, it will take 2 minute or more to get brown. When the
cheese is melted and the tortillas are lightly browned and toasty, remove and
let cool. Repeat for the other 5 tortillas. Cut into wedges and serve warm. Enjoy!
