Monday, March 7, 2011

Better Mexican

Wedding, work, work, work, wedding, stuff, improv, work, wedding...

Nick and I finally reconnected with Ali and Jason a few Sundays ago at La Fonda. I've been to La Fonda before, but have only had their pork chops (which are quite tasty). This time I ordered chicken tacos on corn tortillas. I was expecting a typical taco involving meat, veggies, salsa. This one came out with some sort of chipotle mayo. It really didn't do it for me. While the drinks (margaritas and mojitos) were quite good, my heart longed for a better Mexican food experience.

Monday I got to work on a quesadilla that would ease pain of bad Mexican. I turned to the staples or my refrigerator. They turned out quite well- crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside.

Spinach Quesadillas & Corn Salad Using Fridge Staples
* Bag of shredded reduced fat Mexican blend cheese
* Corn tortillas
* Bag of spinach (or whatever you have left over)
* Chicken breast, cut into thin strips or squares
* 1 clove of garlic, crushed
* Can of corn
* Can or diced tomatoes
* 1 jalapenos, diced, seeding optional
* 3 tablespoons EVOO
* reduced fat sour (optional)

Preheat the broiler while you are preparing the remaining items.

Heat 1 tablespoon of the EVOO in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken, and cook until cooked through, about 5 minutes. While the chicken is cooking, make the corn salad.

When the chicken has cooked through, set aside. Drain any remaining juices. Add 1 tablespoon EVOO. Add the garlic, crushed, and cook for 1 minute. Add the spinach and cook, turning it every so often with a spoon, until it is wilted.

Meanwhile, lightly brush each side of the corn tortilla with some of the EVOO, and place half of them on a baking sheet. Set aside the other half to use as the tops. Spoon the cooked spinach onto each of the quesadillas. Add the shredded cheese onto the tortilla to taste. Top the quesadillas off with the remaining tortillas.

Place the baking sheet in the broiler for 1 minute. Flip the quesadilla and cook for 1 more minute, or until both sides are crispy. Enjoy, seasoned with the corn salad or a salsa of your choice.

Corn Salad
Open the 2 cans. Drain the juice out of the corn, and drain the majority of the juice out of the tomatoes. Combine in a bowl with the jalapeno. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adding cilantro is a bonus.

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