Whenever we’re in a pinch for a quick but nutritious snack, or even dinner we often turn to Quesadillas and Burritos.  All you’ve got to do is work the basic ingredients into your regular shopping list and you’ll be all prepared whenever you need them.  The beauty of it is that nearly all the ingredients keep for quite awhile; the main exception being if you’re using any fresh veggies.  if you use jarred salsa though and canned beans, you can make these 2 great (and kid friendly) dinners any time.

This recipe serves 4 – adjust as needed.

Ingredients

1 package of flour tortillas – the bigger the better for burritos.

1 can black beans (you can use pinto too, or a combination of the two)

1 C (8 oz) your favorite cheeses grated – or sliced from the deli makes it even quicker.   Some good cheese ideas include cheddar and Monterey Jack.  My kids love American cheese in their burritos – and Mr. T. likes cheddar and pepper jack chesses on his.

**The rest of the ingredients are optional -

About 1/2 C of your favorite salsa if you like – I recommend it inside the burrito for sure but,  kids often enjoy no salsa inside but some on the outside to dunk in….the boys here like ketchup for dunking too!

Avocado

Sour Cream

Hot peppers

Extra veggies like tomato, pepper, onion

Meat, especially great for leftover chicken and beef

Or, anything else you like really…

Directions for Quesadillas

Spread margarine or butter on the back of your tortilla for frying – then, lay butter side down in the frying pan or on the skillet.

Add ingredients to your liking on the half of the tortilla closest to the bottom of the frying pan/skillet (aka – the side of the frying pan/skillet that’s closest to you when you’re standing in front of  the stove).

Take the top half (the part without the ingredients) and fold it over the top of the ingredients.

Turn on the stove to medium – low heat.

Heat quesidilla on one side.  Then Flip (I like to use a fork and my thumb to just pull them over so none of the stuff falls out) and cook on the other.

Serve hot with sides like salsa, sour cream, hot sauce, whatever is handy!

Directions for Burritos #1

Preheat oven to 350 – or, better yet, use your toaster oven

Lay tortilla on flat surface.  Put a line of beans, then salsa (if you want) topped by cheese.

Fold the tops down, then, fold one side over, then the other.  Flip onto baking sheet and bake for about 20 min.  Serve.

Directions for Burritos #2

put beans in a pot and warm over low heat.  Then add salsa.  After that, add the cheese and stir until all ingredients are heated through and cheese is melted.

Then, remove the pot from the burner, but keep the burner on.  Put tortilla on burner to warm gently.  Flip.  Once both sides have been warmed, put on plate, add warmed ingredients and other desired toppings, then, fold as directed in “Directions for Burritos #1″ above.

**Please note, I don’t claim that doing the tortillas this way is totally safe, but, we’ve done it for a long time and, with great caution, have been very safe and successful.