Quesadilla style Chicken Tacos

A recipe for tacos is about like a recipe for a sandwich. But if you really want to make them right, You need to a cast iron pan. I have a cast iron griddle made by Lodge like the one pictured above. Martha Stewart swears by these things. I heard that since she got out of prison she swears much more than she used to.

Pre-heat the griddle but not too hot.

Put only enough cooking oil on it so that it covers just a small portion of the pan. Heat up one side of the tortilla without getting too much oil on it and then turn it over and let the other side get some oil on it. Put some Sharp Cheddar Cheese and cut up or shredded Chicken in the middle and fold it over and cook both until they are browned but it is not too hard. Also, you want the cheese to be completely melted and the chicken to be hot. This is why you don't want the pan too hot so you give it time to heat up the cheese & chicken with out buring the tortilla.

Then put it on some paper towels to drain the oil. Since you were carful not to get too much oil on the inside-side, It will not be too greasy.

Then add plenty chopped Iceberg Lettuce and tomatoes.

You should have some pretty authentic tasting tacos.

As far as spices, either use picante sauce to top it off or add it to the chicken directly. Chili powder & paprika both will work. If you want to take the time to do it, You can chop up some garlic & onions & carmelize them in a pan & then add in the cooked chicken (chopped or shredded) & then add the spices.

You can make up to three or four at a time. Once you have the step done where it has the chicken & cheese and it is folded, leave it on the edge of the pan and start heating up the next tortilla. Remove them all from the pan at the same time and add the lettuce and tomatoes right way serve them while they are hot.

If you want to make a different type of taco, You can substitute whatever you want for the Chicken. If you want to go vegetarian, Try black beans. If you use canned black beans, put them in a colander and rinse off all the goop that they are packed in.

I usually use corn tortillas myself but flour will work also if you are trying to gain a few pounds.


Next week I think I will cover Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.