Vegetable-stuffed quesadilla with corn tortilla

Español A while back my good friend Juanito told me about his mom’s breakfast ritual: she used to whip up a quesadilla filled not with the usual heavy stuff, but with grated carrot, onion and a sprinkle of oregano—all nestled between corn tortillas and melted cheese. I loved the idea right away. Juanito’s mom passed away, and this recipe is her legacy. So I’m honoring her, honoring Juanito and his lovely wife Jasmin (who’s also one of my food-friends), by bringing this dish into my blog and into my kitchen—and into yours.

So grab your pan, your tortillas, and let’s cook together something that feels like home.

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Ingredients (makes 4 portions)

• ¾ cup grated cheese
• ½ cup grated carrot
• ¼ cup onion cut into small cubes
• 3 pinches oregano
• 2 pinches salt
• ½ tablespoon cooking oil
• 4 corn tortillas

How to Make It

• Heat a skillet with the oil. Add the onion and the salt; sauté for about 3 minutes until the onion begins to soften.

• Add the grated carrot and the oregano (and another pinch of salt) and stir-fry together for another 1-2 minutes.

• Meanwhile, warm the corn tortillas on a dry griddle or skillet until each side is lightly heated.

• On two of the tortillas, sprinkle the grated cheese. Divide the carrot-onion filling between those two tortillas. Cover each with the remaining two tortillas (or fold if you prefer). Allow the cheese to melt and the tortillas to crisp a little.

• Serve hot. I love topping mine with slices of avocado and a good salsa. This recipe works beautifully for breakfast, lunch or a quick dinner.

Tips from my kitchen

• Use corn tortillas to give it that authentic Mexican touch and a bit more texture.
• Let the cheese melt slowly by keeping the heat moderate — if the tortilla browns too fast, the cheese won’t fully melt.
• If you have extra veggies (maybe a little bell pepper, zucchini or spinach), feel free to sneak them in. (Side note: yes, that’s totally allowed.)
• Serve with fresh salsa or guacamole—makes the whole thing even better.