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Quesadilla Recipe

Name: El Mercado Mexican Kitchens Quesadilla Recipe
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 4 each all-purpose flour tortillas (10-inch); 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese; 2 tbs unsalted butter; 1 tsp neutral oil (vegetable or canola); 2 each ripe avocados; 1 tbsp lime juice; 2 tbsp finely diced red onion; 2 tbsp finely chopped cilantro; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper; 1 tsp optional: finely diced jalapeño; 2 each ripe tomatoes, seeds removed and diced; 3 tbsp finely diced white or red onion; 2 tbsp finely chopped cilantro; 1 tbsp lime juice; 0.5 tsp salt; 1 tsp optional: finely diced jalapeño; 0.5 cups sour cream; 0.5 tsp lime zest (optional); 1 cup cooked shredded rotisserie chicken; 1 cup carne asada, thinly sliced and cooked; 1 cup cooked shrimp, peeled and chopped; 1 cup carnitas (braised pork), shredded

Inspired by El Mercado Mexican Kitchen

Time30m

Serves2

Guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream, flour tortilla, jack cheese | Add Chicken $3.00, Carne Asada $5.00, Shrimp $4.00, Carnitas $3.00

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Ingredients

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Quesadilla

4 each all-purpose flour tortillas (10-inch)

2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

2 tbs Unsalted butter

1 tsp neutral oil (vegetable or canola)

Guacamole

2 each ripe avocados

1 tbsp ReaLime juice

2 tbsp finely diced red onion

2 tbsp finely chopped cilantro

1 tsp Celtic sea salt

1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 tsp optional: finely diced jalapeño

Pico de Gallo

2 each ripe tomatoes, seeds removed and diced

3 tbsp finely diced white or red onion

2 tbsp finely chopped cilantro

1 tbsp ReaLime juice

1/2 tsp Celtic sea salt

1 tsp optional: finely diced jalapeño

Sour Cream (topping)

1/2 cups Sour cream

1/2 tsp lime zest (optional)

Optional Proteins (choose one)

1 cup cooked shredded rotisserie chicken

1 cup carne asada, thinly sliced and cooked

1 cup cooked shrimp, peeled and chopped

1 cup carnitas (braised pork), shredded

Method

Quesadilla

Prep

If using an optional protein, warm it: heat shredded chicken, carne asada, shrimp or carnitas in a skillet with 1 tsp oil over medium heat for 2–3 minutes until hot. Keep warm.

Heat a large nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 tbs butter and 1/2 tsp oil to the pan and swirl to coat.

Place one tortilla in the skillet. Sprinkle about 1/2 cup (approx. 1/2 of the cheese portion) evenly over the tortilla, leaving a 1/2-inch border.

Spread about 1/3 cup of your chosen warm protein (or omit for cheese-only) evenly over cheese, then top with another 1/4 cup cheese to help the quesadilla seal.

Top with a second tortilla and press gently with a spatula. Cook 2–3 minutes until the bottom is golden brown and cheese begins to melt.

Carefully flip the quesadilla using a spatula (or invert onto a plate then slide back into pan) and add another 1/2 tbs butter around the edge if needed. Cook 2–3 minutes until second side is golden and cheese is fully melted.

Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 1 minute. Cut into 4 wedges. Repeat with remaining tortillas, adding butter/oil as needed.

Guacamole

Halve and pit the avocados. Scoop flesh into a bowl and mash with a fork to your preferred texture (smooth or slightly chunky).

Stir in lime juice immediately to prevent browning.

Add diced red onion, chopped cilantro, salt, pepper and optional jalapeño. Taste and adjust seasoning (add more lime or salt as desired). Keep chilled until serving.

Pico de Gallo

Combine diced tomatoes, diced onion, chopped cilantro, lime juice, salt and optional jalapeño in a bowl. Mix gently.

Let sit 10–15 minutes at room temperature for flavors to meld, then taste and adjust salt or lime.

Sour Cream (topping)

If desired, stir lime zest into sour cream for a bright flavor. Transfer to a small serving bowl.

To Serve

Place quesadilla wedges on a plate and serve with a scoop of guacamole, a spoonful of pico de gallo and a dollop of sour cream on the side. Serve immediately while cheese is melty.

Optional: garnish with extra cilantro, sliced jalapeños, or hot sauce.