When you're short on time but want a delicious and quick dish to feast on, try this simple vegan quesadilla with spicy avocado and smoky harissa peanut butter.
It's the perfect marriage of cream and spice. The creamy and nutritious avocado complements the fiery chilli and the smoky flavours of the peanut butter. And not only does it pack a punch in taste, but it is speedy to prepare! A perfect recipe for when you're on the go or need a quick fulfilling lunch.
What is a quesadilla?
Quesadilla (kay-suh-dee-yuh) is a savoury turnover stuffed with a cheese filling originating from northern and central Mexico in the 16th century. It's simply two tortillas with a flavoursome filling made predominantly of cheese. This very round 'sandwich' is then grilled to crisp up the tortillas and melt the insides.
From meats to black beans, you can add whatever you fancy - there are so many inventive quesadillas out there using a variety of ingredients! The Spanish brought chicken, beef, turkey, seafood and vegetables to the quesadillas and other variations add in potato, chorizo, mild to hot chillies, epazote and sautéed squash blossoms.
And what does quesadilla literally mean? Some say that quesadilla translates into "cheese-dude" as 'queso' means cheese in Spanish, and Dilla is a slang term for a dude, but others say it translates to "little cheesy thing". Either sound pretty cool to us!
What is a vegan quesadilla?
When it comes to vegan quesadillas, you can substitute cheese for vegan cheese or strip it out completely.
Many contest whether it's a quesadilla if it doesn't contain cheese, and the answer isn't terribly clear. If you were to purchase an authentic quesadilla in Mexico City, you would need to ask for cheese. And if you were to have a quesadilla without cheese in Oaxaca, it may be called an 'empanada' instead. Others say that the shape and fold of the corn tortilla are what define it as a quesadilla.
It's confusing considering the dish's name, but if you want a simple vegan quesadilla, a cheese-less version can be just as tasty! And we're happy to call it a quesadilla if you are ;)
Simple Vegan Quesadilla with Spicy Avocado Recipe
Ingredients:
- Tortilla Wraps
- Avocado
- Smoky Harissa Peanut Butter
- Vegan Cheese (optional)
- Limes
- Coriander
- Chilli Flakes
Method:
You can make quesadillas in two ways: either by sandwiching the two tortillas together with the filling in the centre or with one tortilla folded over the filling. In this recipe, we'll be using two tortillas.
- Mash your avocado with chilli flakes, lime juice, coriander, salt, and pepper.
- Spread smoky harissa peanut butter on both tortillas.
- Spread the smashed avocado generously on one tortilla on top of the peanut butter.
- Sprinkle chilli flakes - if you can handle the heat, shake a good helping of flakes onto the avocado.
- Optional: Scatter vegan cheese over the avocado
- Lay the other tortilla on top of the avocado, so the fillings are sandwiched between the two tortillas.
- Heat a large non-stick frying pan (no oil) on medium heat and carefully transfer the quesadilla to the pan.
- Cook for 2-3 mins (or until golden), flip, and cook for a further 2-3 mins.
- Transfer onto a chopping board or plate, and cut into quarters (like a pizza).
- Serve with salsa or vegan sour cream!
Here at Yumello, we source the best quality peanuts and ingredients for our flavoured peanut butter. Our Smoky Harissa Peanut Butter not only tastes fabulous straight out of the jar, but when added to the simplest vegan lunch dishes, it can level up the flavours. We're ludicrously tasty, don't you know!