Tom's Quesadillas

When I first met with my team, I asked how they thought I could best help others making the transition from eating the standard American diet to a diet of 100 % God's food.  Kris suggested that I provide ideas and recipes for quick 30-minutes or less meals. 

This was a brilliant suggestion and I am going to start with my family's favorite, quesadillas.  In fact, this is one of our 'emergency' meals.  You must have a few back-up meals on hand at all times, so that when things don't go as planned, you can still quickly pull together a meal for your family.  Not only will it be more nutritious, it will save you money if you don't have to run to Sonic, order a pizza, or buy the prepared dinner at the grocery store.

Quesadillas became my family's favorite because they became my son, Tom's, favorite. He learned how to make them so that whenever he is hungry he can make himself one.  Not only does he make his own quesadillas when hungry, he also makes the yellow rice and refried beans from scratch that are used in them.  When we run out, he makes up another batch of each.  Best of all, he cooks lunch or dinner for the whole family when we have this as a meal, typically once or twice a week.  It is his speciality now!  Involve your children and teach them to cook using God's foods, so they will have this knowledge when they are grown and on their own.

We keep packages of tortillas in the freezer, and always have a bowl of cooked rice, a bowl of refried beans, and white cheese in the refrigerator.  These are the keys ingredients for this simple, quick meal.

Ingredients:

whole wheat or whole grain tortillas

refried beans

yellow rice

green onions, chopped

organic salsa

Monterrey Jack or other white cheese, shredded (shred your own)

avocado

Optional (add what you like and have available):

bell pepper slices

mushrooms

shredded chicken

taco meat

Preheat a griddle or skillet (we use a cast iron griddle). Place tortilla flat on a plate and spread refried beans on half.  Then layer with yellow rice, green onions, salsa and other optional ingredients of your choice.  Lastly place a layer of shredded cheese on the top.  Fold in half and place on griddle (no oil or grease needed).  Heat until slightly browned (about 5 minutes depending upon temperature), and carefully flip over.  Heat for an additional few minutes until both sides are slightly browned and the cheese is melted.  Then, if desired, open up gently and place avocado slices inside and then close back up the tortilla.  Enjoy by themselves, with a side salad, or with carrot sticks.