Mexico has diverse climate and landscapes, barren and wild in the northern parts and very hot and humid in the South. The Climate varies according to its topography. The Country Mexico also has a vibrant culture, colourful, rich and festive. People are very traditional; the Mexicans have strong familial ties. They call it as ‘Familisimo’- Strong sense of family among the Latinos. Mexican culture is a blend of Mesoamerican and Spanish cultures. The same warmth and uniqueness reflects in their Cuisine. Mexican Cuisine is majorly influenced by the Spanish, since the Spanish conquered the Aztec Empire in 16th Century. Mexican cuisine has lot many similarities with Indian cuisine. It’s a fusion of many Cuisines, e.g. you find best Sea food from the Gulf of Mexico and Pacific Ocean and the adjoining tropical areas bloom with juicy and luscious fruits like Guavas, Mangoes, Cherimoya, Papayas, and Pineapples. The native staples include Corn, Avocados, Beans, Tomatoes, Chilli Peppers, Squashes, Cocoa, Vanilla, Edible flowers and of course Rice. Pork, Beef, Chicken, Cheese, herbs were introduced by the Europeans in the colonial era.
The Mexican food is hot, wholesome and flavourful. Apart from dressing up the Nachos and Tortilla Chips, I never had tried making anything Mexican at home. So I decided to try my hands at preparing Quesadillas. A Quesadilla is a Corn Tortilla or a Wheat Tortilla, (Tortilla is like our Chapati, round shaped) .Loaded with Cheese and filling of Vegetables, Meat, Spices, and Sauces of your choice and then grilled on a griddle. The tortillas are stacked on top of each other and grilled.
Queso means Cheese in Spanish, hence the name Queso + Tortilla = Quesadilla. The orgin dates back to colonial Mexico. It surely is not a part of Tex-Mex Cuisine. (Tex-Mex is the fusion of Unites States’ and Mexican Cuisine). There are many variations of this dish; people have experimented with many ingredients. Some eat it as an appetizer and some have it as a meal. I have experimented too. So why not check out the recipe.
MEXICAN QUESADILLAS WITH MOZZARELLA
Preparation Time: 1 Hour
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 4-5
Ingredients:
- Corn/Wheat tortillas – 6 ( homemade/ readymade)
- Grated Cheese- Mozzarella – 2 Cups
- Chopped Onions -1 Large
- Chopped Capsicum/ Green Bell Peppers -1 Large
- Chopped Cabbage – ¼ cup
- Chopped Tomatoes -1 Large
- Chopped Garlic- 4-5 cloves (optional)
- Green chillies chopped -1-2
- Boiled Corn -1.5 Cups
- Oregano
- Red Chilli flakes
- Paprika Powder
- Chipotle Sauce ( you’ll find it in your nearby Gourmet stores) or you may skip adding it
- Red Kidney Beans/ Rajma- 1 cup boiled and coarsely grounded ( canned beans could also be used)
- Cilantro/Coriander leaves.
- Butter/Oil for grilling the Tortillas
- Salt
Method:
- Get the Tortillas ready, make them at home just like the chapatis or you may buy them from a Gourmet store.
- Get all the veggies chopped beforehand. Heat some oil in a pan add, chopped garlic, then after sauting for about a minute add chopped onions sauté again, add green bell peppers, Cabbage, green chillies, then add boiled corn kernels, add tomatoes, oregano, Paprika powder, Chipotle sauce, chopped cilantro, and add salt as required. Turn off the heat and give it a good mix.
- Now on a Griddle/Tava place a Tortilla on a lower flame. Then spread the coarsely grounded beans/Rajma + sautéed veggies’ mixture and spread cheese over it and cover it with another tortilla and on top of it spread the beans or you may just spread the veggies here and top it with cheese. Cover it with the third tortilla.
- Drizzle the stacked tortillas with butter/oil. I used oil. (Regular). You may also use Olive oil. Similarly prepare another Tortilla Stack up.
- Place them on the griddle and grill them until the cheese melts.
- Once it’s done, halve the grilled Tortillas and serve it with Salsa, Sour Cream or Guacamole Dip. Or you may even eat them with Tomato Ketchup.
Tips & Notes: 1) you may also use Chapatis as Tortillas incase you could not make or get them.
2) Cheese could be used of your choice like Cheddar or Monterey Jack.
3) Chipotle Sauce is a creamy smoky Yogurt based sauce.
(Chipotles are smoked dried jalapenos)
