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Black Bean & Goat Cheese Quesadillas with Guacamole Recipe

Black Bean & Goat Cheese Quesadillas with Guacamole

Quesadillas are inherently quick and easy to prepare, and this one even more so. Assemble the quesadillas up to a day ahead and cook just before serving, or cook them a few hours ahead and reheat (wrapped in foil) in a 350°F over for 10 minutes. Serves 8 as an appetizer or 3 as a main course.

3 Tbs. olive oil
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
15-1/2-oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. chili powder
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 large or 2 small ripe avocados, pitted and peeled
2 tsp. fresh lime juice; more to taste
3 to 4 oz. fresh goat cheese, crumbled
6 flour tortillas, 8 inches across

In a medium skillet, heat 2 Tbs. of the oil over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Add the onion and sauté, stirring, until it softens, about 5 minutes. Add the beans, cumin, chili powder, and 1/2 cup water and cook, stirring occasionally, until almost all the water has evaporated, 5 to 7 minutes. Take the pan off the heat. With the back of a fork, break up the beans to make a chunky mash. Stir in half of the cilantro and season with salt and pepper.

In a small bowl, combine the avocado, lime juice, and remaining cilantro and use a potato masher or the back of a fork to mash into a chunky paste. Season to taste with salt and pepper; add more lime juice if you like.

Spread the black bean mixture evenly over three of the tortillas. Scatter the goat cheese over the beans and cover with the remaining tortillas. Lightly coat a large heavy skillet or griddle with oil (about 1 tsp.) and heat over medium heat. Set one of the quesadillas in the skillet and cook until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Flip the quesadilla over and brown on the other side for another 1-1/2 minutes. Remove from the pan, cook the remaining quesadillas (add more oil to the pan each time) and cut each into eight wedges. Serve each wedge with a dollop of the guacamole.

Serving Suggestions

For a little crunch, you might like this Poblano-Pepita Salsa as well. Serve with rice salad or Arroz Rojo de Chile Ancho (Ancho Chile Red Rice) if you want to keep things spicy.

nutrition information (per serving):
Size : per appetizer serving; Calories (kcal): 250; Fat (g): 14; Fat Calories (kcal): 130; Saturated Fat (g): 4; Protein (g): 8; Monounsaturated Fat (g): 8; Carbohydrates (g): 24; Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 2; Sodium (mg): 460; Cholesterol (mg): 10; Fiber (g): 5;
photo: Scott Phillips
From Fine Cooking 62 , pp. 86c
December 1, 2003


user reviews

Star Star Star Star Star I hate to be the one to go against the grain but we thought these were really weird. We love goat cheese but it seemed completely out of place in this and it overwhelmed the beans. Just weird.
Star Star Star Star Star Definitely good. Will go for round 2 tomorrow. The guacomole makes it and the tortillas cooked perfectly.
Star Star Star Star Star Love these. A weeknight staple at our house.
Star Star Star Star Star
Star Star Star Star Star We loved these quesadillas and were they every easy to make!
Star Star Star Star Star Delicious. Easy. Great quick fix dinner.
Star Star Star Star Star Very easy,and yummy.
Star Star Star Star Star Have fixed this several times, particularly for a quick Sunday night supper. My family loves this, and neighbors have really enjoyed this as an appetizer.