Quesadillas

Here is an easy, quick and healthy lunch or dinner for the whole family.

Quesadillas - basically a Mexican version of a toasted sandwich - is super-quick to make with a few ingredients from the pantry and fridge.

I like to keep a packet of tortillas in the pantry; it is a great ingredient for emergency late dinners and snacks, and even for the school lunchbox.

There have been times on a Sunday evening, realising that I have no bread in the house, that a packet of tortillas has been a life-saver!

Today we ate ours around the coffee table while watching very fit people run fast at the Olympics. Almost made me want to go for a jog - almost!

I made my quesadillas with a ham and cheese filling, but you could many other combinations such as left-over taco mince and cheese, sliced chicken breast, cheese and tomato, vegetarian with grilled eggplant, zucchini and capsicum and some feta. Enjoy experimenting with your favourite combinations.

What you'll need

*Makes 4 quesadillas, which you can then slice into quarters or eights. This is enough for 3 or 4 people for lunch.

1 packet medium tortillas, containing 8 tortillas
150g grated cheese - I used Gouda
12 slices ham - I used three slices on each quesadilla

1 ripe avocado
100g natural yogurt or sour cream
Salt and pepper


What to do

Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat.

You do not need any oil in the pan as you are only toasting the tortillas.

Place one tortilla on the base of the pan. Working quickly, sprinkle a handful of cheese onto the tortilla and spread to the edges evenly. Place three ham slices onto the cheese, making sure that the ham covers the cheese and covers to the edge if possible. Place another tortilla on the top and squish the it all together with an egg flip.

Cook for one or two minutes, then flip it over and cook for the same on the other side. Be careful not to leave it too long, otherwise it will be rather brown!

Remove from the pan, and cut into slices with a shape knife. Serve immediately while it is still crunchy and hot.

Repeat with the other ingredients, serving them immediately. You can ask the little people of the house to act as 'quesadilla runners' to and from the kitchen.

Serve with mashed avocado, simply seasoned with a little salt and pepper, and a dish of sour cream.