Pesto Quesadillas Recipes

GORDON AND GARY'S PESTO CHICKEN QUESADILLAS

Steps:

• First make the pesto:
• In a sturdy and large plastic cup put a large handful of fresh basil leaves, 1 clove of garlic, a 1/4 cup of roasted almonds, 1/4 cup of shredded Parmesan, a drizzle of olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Use an immersion blender to blend it all together, until smooth and bright green. Reserve.
• For the chicken:
• Mix together the paprika, pepper, and cumin in a bowl with a teaspoon of salt. Dust the chicken breasts with the spice mixture and rub in. Grill on a medium hot grill, turning occasionally until chicken is just cooked through. Depending on how thick the breasts are, about 5 to 6 minutes per side. Remove from grill and let rest. Cut the chicken into 1/2-inch slices and set aside. Lay a tortilla over low heat on the grill and spread a thin layer of pesto over it. Lay the strips of chicken over the tortilla and sprinkle with Parmesan, cover with another tortilla. Cook until you get color on the bottom and carefully flip it over to cook the other side. Once it is done, remove from heat and let rest for 1 minute. Cut the tortilla like a pizza and serve.

SHRIMP AND CILANTRO PESTO QUESADILLA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Season the shrimp with salt and pepper, to taste. In a small skillet over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and saute the shrimp for 1 1/2 minutes on each side. Reserve for garnish.
• Place 2 tortillas on an ungreased baking sheet, sprinkle half the cheeses and 1 1/2 tablespoons pesto on each, and season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Stack the 2 layers and cover with the remaining tortilla. Brush with 1 tablespoon oil and sprinkle evenly with ancho chile powder. May be prepared 1 day ahead up to this point and refrigerated. Bake for 8 to 12 minutes or until the tortillas are slightly crisp and the cheese has melted.
• Cut into quarters and serve hot, garnished with the shrimp, more pesto, and sour cream.
• In a food processor, combine cilantro, garlic, pumpkinseeds, lime juice, salt and pepper. With the motor running, slowly add the olive oil until sauce is emulsified. May be prepared up to 2 days ahead, covered, and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature 1 hour before serving.
• Yield: 1 cup

SHRIMP AND CILANTRO PESTO QUESADILLA

Steps:

• Make the cilantro pesto: in a food processor, blend all of the ingredients except for the olive oil. While the processor is running, slowly add the olive oil. Cover the pesto and refrigerate. (Will keep in the fridge for 2 to 3 days)Preheat oven to 450*F.
• Place two tortillas on an undgreased baking sheet.
• Sprread each with 2 TBS of the pesto and sprinkle with the cheeses. Season with salt and pepper.
• Stack one tortilla on top of the other and cover with the remaining tortilla. Brush the top with 1 TBs of olive oil and sprinkle evenly with the ancho powder.
• Bake until the tortillas are slightly crisp and the cheese has melted, 8 to 12 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 TBs of olive oil. Season the shrimp and saute for 2 1/2 minutes on each side.
• Cut the quesadillas into quarters. Garnish with the remaining tablespoon of pesto, the shrimp and the sour cream and serve hot.

PESTO QUESADILLAS

Steps:

• Spread 2 teaspoons pesto on half of each tortilla.
• On the other half sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
• Add 1/4 cup of corn, spinach, and tomatoes. Top with more cheese.
• Fold and cook over medium-high heat for a couple minutes on each side, until the cheese is melted.
• Enjoy!

CHICKEN QUESADILLAS WITH POBLANO PESTO

Steps:

• Put poblanos, pumpkin seeds,cilantro and serranos in a food processor and pulse until puréed.
• Add the oil in a steady stream with the machine running.
• Add the lime juice and salt, mixing well.
• Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
• Spread 1/4 cup of the pesto on each tortilla.
• Distribute 1/2 cup chicken on each tortilla and sprinkle with Monterrey Jack and Parmesan cheese.
• Fold tortillas in half.
• Melt the butter in a large pan over medium heat.
• Sauté quesadillas for 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until the tortillas are golden brown and all the cheese is melted.
• Let cool for 1 minute and cut each quesadilla into thirds. Serve with any remaining pesto or salsa of your choice.

CHICKEN-PESTO QUESADILLAS

Steps:

• For each quesadilla, spread 1 tortilla with 1 tablespoon of the pesto. Top with 1/4 cup of the chicken, 1/4 cup of the spinach and 2 tablespoons of the cheese. Top with a second tortilla.
• Heat heavy skillet over medium heat. Add 1 quesadilla to skillet. Cook about 2 minutes until bottom is lightly browned. Carefully turn; cook 2 minutes longer until second side is lightly browned and cheese is melted. Repeat with remaining quesadillas.
• To serve, cut each quesadilla into 4 wedges.

PESTO AND GOAT CHEESE QUESADILLAS

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a skillet over med/med high heat.
• Meanwhile, spread one side of one tortilla with goat cheese. Spread one side of the other tortilla with pesto.
• Sandwich tortillas together with the filling on the inside.
• When oil is hot, add the quesadilla to the pan. Cook until the bottom side is crispy and golden brown.
• Flip quesadilla and continue cooking on the remaining side. If necessary, you may add a splash more olive oil at this step.
• When quesadilla is golden brown and crispy on both sides, remove from pan and drain on a paper towel.
• Slice into 6-8 servings (depending on size) and serve hot.