Quesadillas with Ontario Apple Salsa
Preventing cell damage and memory loss never tasted so good! The sweet and sour Ontario apple salsa not only provides a tasty crunch to the quesadillas but also packs a punch of vitamins and nutrients proven to aid in concentration and memory loss. Add some whole wheat tortillas and grilled steak for an extra boost in this brain worthy recipe.
Salsa:
1 tart Ontario apple*, cored and cubed
juice from 1/2 fresh lime
1/2 tsp TABASCO jalapeno sauce 2 mL
1/2 cup sweet red onion, minced 125 mL
3 tbsp fresh Italian parsley, minced 45 mL
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar 15 mL
1/2 cup fresh fennel, diced 125 mL
pinch of salt & black pepper
Quesadillas:
2 cups baby arugula (or watercress) 500 mL
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 30 mL
8 whole wheat tortillas (recommended: 100% whole wheat roti)
1 cup shredded aged white cheddar cheese 250 mL
6 oz grilled steak (to preferred doneness), sliced into thin strips** 175 g
1 cup light sour cream (optional) 250 mL
If using oven, preheat on Broil at 400°F (200°C).
Salsa:
In a mixing bowl, combine apples and lime juice. Add jalapeno sauce, onion, parsley, vinegar, fennel and salt and pepper, mix thoroughly. Refrigerate for 20 to 30 minutes prior to use, to allow flavours to blend.
Quesadillas:
In a small bowl, mix arugula with oil and set aside. Use two tortillas for each quesadilla. Lightly brush the tortillas on one side with olive oil. Place four tortillas, oiled side down on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and lightly sprinkle each one with 2 tbsp (30 mL) of cheese. Add approximately 1/2 cup (125 mL) of arugula followed by 4 to 6 steak slices and 1 tbsp (15 mL) of apple salsa to each. Top each with up to 2 tbsp (30 mL) of cheese followed by a second tortilla, this time with the oiled side up.
Place under the broiler, or on a grill at med-low heat, for just a few minutes or until the tortilla becomes golden brown (watch carefully, these can burn very easily if ignored). Wearing oven mitts, use a large spatula to flip the quesadillas under the broiler or on the grill and cook for another few minutes until golden brown.
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Transfer the cooked quesadillas to a cutting board and cut into quarters with a pizza slicer. Serve with additional salsa and light sour cream (optional).
Makes 4 quesadillas.
*Variety Tip: for best results, use Ontario Empire, Ida Red, McIntosh or Gala apples.
**Tip: substitute grilled chicken instead of steak.
PER SERVING (1/2 quesadilla): 324 calories, 16 g fat, 5 g saturated fat, 29 mg cholesterol, 645 mg sodium, 33 g carbohydrates, 6 g fibre, 16 g protein. % RDI: 15% calcium, 15% iron, 2% vitamin A, 10% vitamin C.
Recipe and image courtesy of the Ontario Apple Growers. For more information about the health benefits of apples and more recipe ideas, visit onapples.com.
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More apple ideas:
Crispy Chicken Fingers with Apple Fries
Grilled Cheese, Smoked Turkey and Apple Party Sandwiches
Sweet Potato and Ontario Apple Gratin
Applesauce bars
Apple Delights: Readers’ Choice
Plus see what else is cooking in our in recipes archive.