Fiesta Quesadillas with Simple Salsa and Holy Guacamole

Directions

Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, originally appearing in Emeril's There's a Chef in My Soup, HarperCollins Publishers, New York, 2002

3 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons dried parsley
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon celery salt

Place all the ingredients in a mixing bowl. Stir well to combine, using a wooden spoon.

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Yield: about 3/4 cup


1 avocado, peeled, halved, and seeded
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon minced yellow onion
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon Baby Bam, recipe follows
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon Emeril's Green Pepper Sauce or other hot-pepper sauce

Place an avocado half on a cutting board, flat side down. Cut into sixths lengthwise, then chop into 1/4-inch pieces. Place the pieces in a mixing bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and mash with the back of a fork until mostly smooth. Stir to evenly distribute ingredients. Serve immediately or store, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.

Yield: 1/2 to 1 cup



Place 1 tortilla on a flat work surface, cover it evenly with 1/4 cup of each of the cheeses, and top with 1 teaspoon of the chopped onion. Cover with the second tortilla and rub 1/2 teaspoon of the oil onto the top tortilla. Repeat this process with the remaining tortillas; you will have 4 stuffed tortilla "sandwiches" in all.

Heat a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Add 1/2 teaspoon of the remaining oil to the pan and use a large turner to carefully transfer 1 of the stuffed tortillas to the hot pan, ungreased side down. Cook until the bottom is just golden and the cheese is starting to melt, about 2 to 3 minutes. Gently turn with the turner and cook for about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, until golden brown on the second side. Using the turner, remove the quesadilla from the pan, place on a cutting board, and slice with a pizza cutter or sharp knife.

Repeat with the remaining tortillas and ingredients and serve immediately with about 2 tablespoons of Simple Salsa and a dollop of Holy Guacamole.

Be careful flipping your hot quesadilla and cutting the hot tortilla; hot cheese can stick!



2 medium tomatoes, halved and seeded
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon minced yellow onion
1 tablespoon minced green bell pepper
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/4 teaspoon Emeril's Green Pepper Sauce or other hot pepper sauce

Place the tomato halves on a cutting board and slice into quarters. Working over a mixing bowl, squeeze each piece in your hands to remove the seeds. Discard the seeds, then chop into 1/2-inch chunks. Place the tomato pieces in a serving bowl and sprinkle with the salt. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well with a fork or spoon.

Let rest for at least 30 minutes before serving; this will allow the flavors to blend.

Yield: about 1 cup