Chicken Corn and Cheese Quesadila

The kids had a really nice sleep in this morning and I must admit we did too.  Then I remembered I had to pick up my car from a friend's house as we left it there overnight (yes we were being very responsible adults after enjoying a few drinks last night).

 

Needless to say that breakfast was missed so I treated the kids to a very tasty brunch.  One I knew that they would enjoy as it was different to toasted cheese or baked bean sandwiches - which are a staple go to food in the Murray household.

 

Tortillas filled shredded chicken, corn kernels and red onion enveloped in melted cheeses laced with Mexican seasoning - who could wish for more today?  I used a mixture of cream cheese and tasty cheese which gave it a nice mixed cheese flavour and texture.  The Mexican seasoning was just a sprinkle of Homemade Taco Seasoning but you could use packet mix.

 

The kids enjoyed them so much that Noel and I didn't even get a look in as there were none left.....

 

 

Chicken Corn and Cheese Quesadila

 

Serves: 2

SmartPoints per Serve: 9

 

cooking spray

4 extra light tortillas

50 grams Philladelphia Extra Light Spreadable Cream Cheeses

100 grams shredded cooked chicken

1/2 cup frozen corn kernels, defrosted and drained

1/2 red onion, finely dice

50 grams grated light tasty cheese

1 teaspoon homemade taco seasoning or packet mix

 

Preheat a flat sandwich press.  Spray with cooking spray.

 

Spread cream cheese over two tortillas.  Equally divide chicken and sprinkle over cream cheese.  Top with both the corn and the onions.

 

Sprinkle each with half of the grated tasty cheese and then the taco seasoning.

 

Top each stack with remaining tortilla.

 

Transfer to sandwich press and cook for 2 - 3 minutes or until cooked through.

 

Cut and serve. 

 

 

 

(Click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Chorizo and Smoky Beef Enchiladas

I went back to work for 3 days this week and now I am on leave until next Thursday - it's a hard life really LOL!! I promised my nephew Wesley over Christmas that he could come over when I was on annual leave to sleep the night and to do some cooking with us. He is only 11 but has the passion to be a wonderful cook or chef should he choose to follow that profession. So Wesley didn't forget about my promise (I hadn't either) and made sure his dad rang me to confirm.. bless him.

Tonight he was picked up by Uncle Noel and was patiently awaiting my return from work so he could start his adventure. Although he is only young I knew Wesley tends to bake a lot of sweets and cakes so it was my mission to cook different foods so I decided to start with a Mexican dish for dinner.

This dish was very easy and I know that Wesley enjoyed making it. A few new techniques for him but he did very well. We all enjoyed the flavour (even Grandma who says she hates Mexican due to her first experience at a Mexican restaurant where apparently it looked like slop!) The smokiness of the paprika teamed with the subtle spiciness of the Chorizo was perfect enveloped in a tortilla and baked smothered in tomato sauce and melted cheese - what is there not to like.

Any way as you can see by the photos my little nephew was in heaven in the kitchen at the House Of Murray.

Chorizo and Smoky Beef Enchiladas

(recipe adapted from Taste.com)

Serves: 8

ProPoints per serve: 15

 

1 chorizo sausage

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small onion, finely diced

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 kilogram reduced fat premium beef mince

1 tablespoon smoked paprika

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons tomato paste

2 x 400g cans diced tomatoes

400g can kidney beans, drained

8 Mission 96% fat free Tortillas

200 grams 50% reduced fat tasty cheese, grated

Place a large frying pan over high heat, add oil, when hot and chorizo, cook for 3 minutes or until chorizo is caramelized then turn the heat down to medium and add onion and garlic, cook for 3 minutes.

Add mince, paprika, cumin, oregano and salt to the pan, break up the mince and cook for 5 minutes, or until mince is coloured.

Add half the amount of tomato paste and one can of tomatoes, and simmer on a low heat for 10 minutes. Finally add red kidney beans and stir to combine.  Allow to cool.

When you are about to start making up the Enchiladas preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius

Fill the end of a tortilla with beef mixture, roll to form a log shape, then place in a baking tray, seam side down. Repeat with remaining tortillas and beef mixture.

Mix the remaining tomato paste and can of tomatoes together in a bowl, spread over the top of the tortillas and sprinkle over grated cheese. Bake in middle level of the oven for 30 minutes or until heated through and  cheese is golden.

(Click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Spicy Chicken Nachos

We love having people over and there is always something quick and easy we can whip up just to keep everyone's tummies happy while we enjoy the great company.  Mexican is one of those friendly comfort foods that everyone seems to love and I would have to say that Nacho's are high on everyone's favourite food lists.

These Spicy Chicken Nachos are definitely a crowd pleaser served with sour cream and Home Made Guacamole - they were definitely a hit..  So easy to make especially the corn chips being made from tortillas, the mince spicy but not overpowering which can be made with or without the chilli kick.

Please note as we had a houseful I doubled the recipe below.

Spicy Chicken Nachos

(Recipe adapted from Weight Watchers 1 Recipe 3 Ways Cookbook)

 

Serves: 4

ProPoints per Serve: 11

 

4 x 40g extra light flour tortillas

1 tablespoon olive oil

500 grams low fat chicken mince

1 brown onion, finely chopped

1 red capsicum, finely chopped

1 green capsicum, finely chopped

1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teadspoon ground coriander

300 gram jar chunky tomato salsa

1 cup water

1 - 2 teaspoons chilli flakes (if desired)

1/3 cup extra light sour cream

1/2 cup fresh coriander leaves

Preheat oven to 200 degress Celsius or 180 degrees Celsius fan-forced.  Line 2 baking trays with baking paper.  Cut each tortilla into 12 wedges.  Place on prepared trays and lightly spray with oil.  Bake for 10 minutes or until crisp and golden.  Cool.

 

Meanwhile, heat half the oil in a large non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat.  Add mince and cook, breaking up any lumps for 3-5 minutes or until browned.  Transfer to a bowl.

 

Heat remaining oil in pan.  Add onion, capsicum and carrot.  Cook strirring for 5 minutes or until softened.  Add cumin and coriander and cook stirring for 1 minute or until fragrant.  Return mince to the pan with salsa, water and chilli flakes if using and bring to the boil.  Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 10 - 12 minutes or until thickened.

 

Place tortilla chips into serving bowls.  Top with mince mixture , sour cream and coriander. 

 

Serve with a 0ppt salad, homemade guacamole and some grated cheese if desired.

 

(Click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Spicy Ham and Pineapple Quesadilla

A quick enjoyable lunch was on the cards today. Something full of flavour and different to a sandwich or a salad.

I remembered I had a packet of tortillas in the cupboard and had several ingredients that could be used to make up the fillings for a Quesadilla - one of my favourite treats.

Saying this my filling combination wasn't exactly Mexican but it was really nice.

Spicy Ham and Pineapple Quesadilla
Serves: 4
ProPoints per serve: 6
cooking spray
4 96% fat free tortillas
80 grams ham
80 grams crushed pineapple, drained
1/2 medium avocado, diced
1 tomato, diced
1/2 medium red onion, finely sliced
1/4 bunch coriander, roughly diced
1/2 teaspoon dried chilli flakes, or to taste
80 grams reduced fat tasty cheese

Spray a frying pan with cooking spray and place on tortilla in the pan.

Top with half of the ham, pineapple, avocado, tomato coriander, chilli flakes and cheese.

Place second tortilla on top.

Place over a medium heat allowing to heat through for 3 - 4 minutes. Reduce heat if too hight.

Place a dinner plate over the quesadilla and flip over. Return quesadilla to pan to cook other side for a further 3 - 4 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Repeat with remaining ingredients.

Cut each quesadilla into four pieces and serve immediately.

Note: You could easily cook this in a large sandwich press and it wouldn't be as fiddly!


(click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Chicken, Capsicum and Tomato Quesadillas

Having had a delicious roast chicken the night before I needed to find something to do with the left over chicken meat.

Confession time: many of you don't know this of me but I hate having the same thing two nights in a row, freezing it for lunches or quick meals is okay, but never eating it again the next night. While this doesn't bother others in our house it does bother me!

I have read on a few blogs about Quesadillas. We don't frequent Mexican restaurants that often and have only really eaten the more commonly known Mexican dishes such as tacos, burritos, enchiladas, chilli, etc., so I have to say that the Quesadillas have intrigued me for some time now. Especially the mouthwatering Quesadilla recipes over at Closet Cooking and For the Love of Cooking..... do yourself a flavour favour and have at look at both these sites.

Anyway my mind was made up to have a go at making these so here is my take on this dish, one which I must say I really enjoyed and cannot wait to experiement a little more with flavours and fillings.

Chicken, Capsicum and Tomato Quesadillas

Serves: 2

Points per serve: 5.5

2 light tortillas

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 teaspoons taco seasoning

60 grams cooked chicken meat

1/2 tomato, diced

1/4 red capsicum, diced

1/4 red onion, finely sliced

60 grams low fat tasty cheese, grated

handful fresh coriander leaves

Combine tomato paste and taco seasoning and mix well. Spread evenly over one tortilla. Top with chicken, tomato, capsicum, red onion and grated cheese. Top with other tortilla.

Heat a frying pan over high heat and spray with cooking spray. Reduce to low heat. Gently place quesadilla into the frying pan and cook for 3 - 5 minutes or until golden.

Flip quesadilla over ( I used a plate and then slid it back into the frying pan) and cook for a further 3 - 5 minutes or until golden and cheese has melted.

Cut into triangles and serve.

(click here for a printable version of this recipe)