This recipe, blue cheese and pear quesadillas, was sent to me from Chef Enedina Andrews of The Clandestine Chef Experience out of Denver, Colorado. I interviewed Chef Andrews as part of my Novice2Pro Chef Interviews.
What is a Quesadilla?
A quesadilla is a popular Mexican dish consisting of a tortilla filled with cheese and often other ingredients such as meats, beans, vegetables, or spices. The tortilla is typically folded in half over the filling and then grilled or toasted until the cheese is melted and the tortilla becomes crisp.
Quesadillas are commonly served as a snack, appetizer, or main course and can be customized with various toppings and accompaniments like salsa, guacamole, sour cream, or lettuce. They are known for their delicious, cheesy flavor and versatility.
Not a typical Mexican Dish
Using blue cheese and pears in a quesadilla is not a traditional combination, but it's not necessarily odd either. The beauty of quesadillas is their versatility, allowing for a wide range of fillings beyond the typical cheese, meat, and vegetable options.
Blue cheese has a strong flavor that pairs well with the sweetness of pears, creating a unique and flavorful combination. Some people might find the combination of blue cheese and pears in a quesadilla to be a delightful and unexpected twist, while others might prefer more traditional fillings. Ultimately, it comes down to personal taste, so feel free to experiment and enjoy the flavors that you like best!
Blue Cheese
Blue cheese is a distinctive type of cheese characterized by its blue or green veins of mold running throughout its creamy or crumbly interior. Blue cheese is made from cow's, sheep's, or goat's milk, and it obtains its unique flavor and appearance from the mold Penicillium, which is intentionally introduced during cheesemaking.
The mold imparts a tangy and pungent flavor with earthy undertones, creating a bold and complex taste profile. Blue cheese is commonly used in salads, dressings, sauces, and cheese plates, adding depth and richness to culinary creations with its sharp and savory notes.
📖 Recipe
Blue Cheese and Pear Quesadillas with Mango Salsa
Ingredients
For the Quesadillas
- 6 oz blue cheese like Maytag blue
- 12 flour tortillas
- 1 pear ripe, cut in thin slices
- 12 whole dried apricots diced
- ½ cup red onion diced
- canola oil
- 3 tablespoons honey
For the Mango Salsa
- 1 mango ripe and peeled, cut in small dice
- 1 small jalapeno cut in small dice
- ¼ cup red onion cut in small dice
- ½ lime zested & juiced
- 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro finely chopped
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
For the Quesadillas
- Take one tortilla spread the softened blue cheese taking care not to spread to the edges.
- Place pears, diced apricots, and red onion on top of cheese, top with an other tortilla.
- Over medium heat, in a nonstick skillet add a little canola oil to cover the bottom of pan. Place the quesadilla in the pan cook for 5 to 10 minutes or until golden, flip over cook other side.
- Remove from pan drizzle with honey top with mango salsa and serve.
For the Mango Salsa
- Mix all ingredients in a small bowl season with salt and pepper to taste.
zen herrera
Love all your recipes. Don't have to think anymore of what to cook, I just simply open your site and Presto! Thanks for your wonderful site, its a great help.
Dana Lasswell
Amazing! I left off the honey on the second one as it was a little sweet for me, but superb! I also tried it with carmelized red onions and that was great variation! Thanks so much!