Chicken Quesadillas With Poblano Pesto Food

CHICKEN QUESADILLAS WITH POBLANO PESTO

Steps:

• Put poblanos, pumpkin seeds,cilantro and serranos in a food processor and pulse until puréed.
• Add the oil in a steady stream with the machine running.
• Add the lime juice and salt, mixing well.
• Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
• Spread 1/4 cup of the pesto on each tortilla.
• Distribute 1/2 cup chicken on each tortilla and sprinkle with Monterrey Jack and Parmesan cheese.
• Fold tortillas in half.
• Melt the butter in a large pan over medium heat.
• Sauté quesadillas for 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until the tortillas are golden brown and all the cheese is melted.
• Let cool for 1 minute and cut each quesadilla into thirds. Serve with any remaining pesto or salsa of your choice.

POBLANO PESTO

Steps:

• Char the poblano peppers on top of a gas burner, on a grill, or under the broiler) until all of the sides are blackened. Place in a bowl covered tightly with plastic wrap, allowing the steam to help loosen the skin. With your fingers or a spoon, scrape and discard the blackened skin then remove the seeds and core. Coarsely chop the poblanos, and place into a mini food processor. Add the Parmesan, cilantro, garlic, chili powder and oil and process until well combined, but not totally smooth. Taste and season with salt.

CHICKEN AND ROASTED POBLANO QUESADILLA WITH AVOCADO CREAM

Steps:

• Prick the chicken all over with a fork and put in a medium bowl. Rub the cumin and 3/4 teaspoon salt into the chicken. Add 1/4 cup of the sour cream and half the lime zest and juice and mix until the chicken is coated. Let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
• Blend the avocado, remaining 1/4 cup sour cream, remaining lime zest and juice, 3 tablespoons water and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a blender until very smooth; refrigerate until ready to use.
• Meanwhile, preheat the broiler. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
• Put the poblanos skin-side up on the prepared baking sheet and broil until the skin is wrinkled and charred in spots, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the poblanos to a medium bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let steam for 5 minutes. Run the poblanos under cold water and remove and discard the skin. Cut the poblanos into small bite-size pieces and return them to the bowl.
• Transfer the chicken to the baking sheet and broil, turning once, until browned in spots and cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Let cool for a few minutes. Cut it into small bite-size pieces. Add the chicken and half of the scallions to the bowl with the poblanos and toss to combine. Combine the cheese and garlic in a small bowl.
• Top 4 tortillas with 1/4 cup of the cheese mixture, one-quarter of the chicken-poblano mixture then 1/4 cup more cheese mixture. Top each with 1 of the remaining 4 tortillas and press lightly.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 1 quesadilla to the skillet and cook, turning once, until it is golden and the cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a baking sheet or large plate and repeat with the remaining oil and quesadillas. Cut each quesadilla into quarters and sprinkle with the remaining scallions. Serve with a dollop of the avocado cream, lime wedges and salsa on the side.

ROASTED POBLANO QUESADILLAS

Steps:

• Heat the broiler to high.
• Char the poblanos under the broiler to blacken their skins on all sides, 7 to 8 minutes. Place in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let stand 10 minutes.
• Peel and seed the peppers, then slice. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and add a tortilla, cover the tortilla with 1/2 cup cheese and 1/4 of the peppers. Fold the tortilla in half and cook 2 minutes to crisp and char the tortilla evenly and melt cheese. Remove and cut into wedges; repeat.

GORDON AND GARY'S PESTO CHICKEN QUESADILLAS

Steps:

• First make the pesto:
• In a sturdy and large plastic cup put a large handful of fresh basil leaves, 1 clove of garlic, a 1/4 cup of roasted almonds, 1/4 cup of shredded Parmesan, a drizzle of olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Use an immersion blender to blend it all together, until smooth and bright green. Reserve.
• For the chicken:
• Mix together the paprika, pepper, and cumin in a bowl with a teaspoon of salt. Dust the chicken breasts with the spice mixture and rub in. Grill on a medium hot grill, turning occasionally until chicken is just cooked through. Depending on how thick the breasts are, about 5 to 6 minutes per side. Remove from grill and let rest. Cut the chicken into 1/2-inch slices and set aside. Lay a tortilla over low heat on the grill and spread a thin layer of pesto over it. Lay the strips of chicken over the tortilla and sprinkle with Parmesan, cover with another tortilla. Cook until you get color on the bottom and carefully flip it over to cook the other side. Once it is done, remove from heat and let rest for 1 minute. Cut the tortilla like a pizza and serve.

CHICKEN-PESTO QUESADILLAS

Steps:

• For each quesadilla, spread 1 tortilla with 1 tablespoon of the pesto. Top with 1/4 cup of the chicken, 1/4 cup of the spinach and 2 tablespoons of the cheese. Top with a second tortilla.
• Heat heavy skillet over medium heat. Add 1 quesadilla to skillet. Cook about 2 minutes until bottom is lightly browned. Carefully turn; cook 2 minutes longer until second side is lightly browned and cheese is melted. Repeat with remaining quesadillas.
• To serve, cut each quesadilla into 4 wedges.