Easy dinner recipes: Meatless Monday quesadillas in 30 minutes or less

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Sweet and tangy, these wings are sure to please. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

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Deviled eggs get special treatment with the addition of smoked salmon, fennel, capers and red onion. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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Top a prepared pizza crust with a little sour cream and smoked salmon, along with chopped red onion, fresh dill and capers. It takes all of 15 minutes to whip up. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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The tuna salad comes together in minutes and is great served either as a sandwich or on its own. Read the recipe » (Anne Cusack/ Los Angeles Times)

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Great flavor, and simple to prepare.
Recipe: Italian tuna and shiso sandwich
(Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

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Paella’s always a perfect choice when you want to dazzle dinner guests but don’t want to spend all your time in the kitchen. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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Mushrooms lend rich depth to this frittata. (Eric Boyd / Los Angeles Times)

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Fresh nettles may be known for their sting, but cooked, they add delicate, almost nutty notes to many a dish. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

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Artichoke and sun-dried tomatoes combine with two types of cheese and fresh herbs in this colorful dish. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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Rich, tender flavor in minutes. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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Fresh broccoli flavor with a velvety texture. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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They’re not just for breakfast. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

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The Buttery’s take on peanut butter cookies, massive enough that you almost need two hands to hold them, is at once rich, sweet and perfectly crumbly.
Recipe: The Buttery’s peanut butter cookies

(Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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You’ll never miss the gluten in this rich and flavorful carrot cake (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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This creamy pudding is flavored with aromatic orange flower water and almond oil and comes together in only 35 minutes. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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One bite and you’d never guess these tempting treats are gluten-free. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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This simple sandwich comes courtesy of chef and cookbook writer Deborah Madison and her husband, Patrick McFarlin. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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Chicken curry sandwich. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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A rich and creamy take on this classic comfort food. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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A remarkably easy but elegant meal. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Fresh and bright and ready in less than 30 minutes, this dish goes perfectly with grilled salmon or other fish. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

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An almost infinitely flexible recipe. (Ifran Kahn / Los Angeles Times)

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Best Chinese chicken salad ever? According to at least one reader, it is. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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It may take a little work prepping the ingredients, but Ciopinot’s take on the classic cioppino contains a lot of flavor in just a few simple steps. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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Artichoke lovers, rejoice! (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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Sweet pea soup -- bright, earthy and easy. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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In this variation, tortillas are stuffed with quickly cooked greens and chunks of feta and mozzarella, the tortillas warmed until lightly browned and the cheese oozes just slightly. The recipe comes together in minutes, perfect after a long day. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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Huitlacoche lends an earthy richness, and a robustness similar to truffles, to these quesadillas. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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A rich vegetarian take on this comforting classic. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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This hearty dish works wonders as a side or main course, and the whole thing comes together in less than 30 minutes. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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A touch of spice. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

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Soft and tender. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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Chef Michael Mina’s interpretation of a Caesar salad. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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There’s a secret to the croutons. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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A perfect light main course or flexible side dish. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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The flavors only get better with time. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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With the depth of flavor in this soup, you’d never guess this rich and creamy salmon bisque comes together in under an hour. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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Add extra flavor with a touch of barbecue sauce, corn niblets and fresh parsley. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Recipe: BLD’s fresh vegetable salad

(Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Fresh and bright with large shrimp, tomatoes, mushrooms, garlic and a sprinkling of fresh parsley. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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Bright and fresh and mildly spicy. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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Recipe: Cafe des Artistes’ fillet of sole Provencal

(Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Roasted salmon with red pepper hazelnut pesto. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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For this slaw, incredibly simple to make, thinly sliced kale is tossed with colorful carrots, red cabbage and fresh fennel, then coated with a light but tangy dressing. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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A fresh, filling salad using only a handful of ingredients. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Give kale a good rubdown and it makes a delicious salad. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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The kale salad from Napa Valley Grille. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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These oatmeal cookies are big on size and flavor. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Light in texture and delicately flavored. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Pile the fish into warm tortillas with plenty of shredded cabbage and a fresh tangy lime-garlic vinaigrette. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

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This easy dish comes together in under an hour, the plump shrimp cooked in a simple sauce flavored with toasted pumpkin seeds, olive oil, garlic, jalapeno chiles and fresh cilantro. (Eric Boyd / Los Angeles Times)

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Looking for diet-friendly options for your party? These Philly cheesesteak cups have all the flavor for a fraction of the calories. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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With no fewer than four types of cheese, mac ‘n’ cheese couldn’t get much better than this version. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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Three kinds of cheese and prosciutto come together in cheesy goodness. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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This take on the classic includes chicken, prosciutto, a bread crumb topping and plenty of cheese. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Lentil and barley stew. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Best of all, the salad can be made ahead of time; the recipe comes together in a little over an hour, and the flavor only improves with time. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Try this combination of quinoa, meaty shiitake mushrooms, caramelized fennel and crunchy toasted cashews. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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Quinoa is cooked with finely diced beets, which tint the quinoa a vibrant shade of red. (Ann Johansson / For the Times)

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This rich Andalusian chowder has its roots in gazpacho. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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The clam chowder at La Conner Brewing Co. in the San Juan Islands has a bit of spice to it. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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Rich Paris bistro flavor in only 30 minutes. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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Quick potato leek soup gets a last-minute boost of flavor from a blend of finely diced cilantro, anchovy and garlic. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

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Such a simple combination, but so delicate and complex. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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You can’t go wrong here when you’re craving a great noodle bowl. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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With its rich flavor, you might not guess this dish is both gluten-free and vegan! (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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Serve warm with a big glass of milk. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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It’s as if Lawry’s took everyone’s favorite flavors and combined them in an easy-to-make dessert, with Nutella, chocolate, espresso and Kahlua liqueur folded into a mousse. And the best part? It comes together in just 15 minutes. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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This rich and creamy dessert delivers chocolate accented with a hint of port. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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A rich chicken soup that comes together in minutes. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

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The combination of coconut milk, lime juice, fish sauce and lemon grass from the stock is sweet and fragrant. (Paul Morse / Los Angeles Times)

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This isn’t your ordinary chicken soup; each bite is flavored with bits of carrot and celery, garbanzo beans and cracked wheat. It’s rich, yet delicately spiced with notes of cinnamon and curry. Best of all? The whole thing comes together in about 45 minutes. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Nettle leaves add bright flavor and deep emerald color to this creamy polenta dish. (Mark Boster/Los Angeles Times)

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Saute escarole with garlic and a tough of crushed red pepper just until the leaves begin to wilt and are tender, then spoon over a bowl of creamy polenta. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

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Polenta is slowly cooked in the oven with this simple gratin. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Rich with bright flavors, this salad comes together in only 20 minutes. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Eggs for dinner? You bet! (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

By Noelle Carter

March 31, 2014 11:41 AM PT

Dinner doesn’t get much better -- or simpler -- than quesadillas. Melt some cheese over a warm tortilla, add an extra filling or two, and you’re good to go.

Quesadillas stuffed with greens and feta: In this variation, tortillas are stuffed with quickly cooked greens and chunks of feta and mozzarella, the tortillas warmed until lightly browned and the cheese oozes just slightly. The recipe comes together in minutes, perfect after a long day.

consider flank steaks with fresh chimichurri sauce. The sauce -- a little garlic, red wine vinegar, oil, fresh herbs and a touch of lemon juice -- comes together in almost no time, and those steaks will grill up in minutes. - See more at: https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2012/06/dinner-tonight-grilled-flank-steaks-chimichurri-sauce.html#sthash.hTvQknwx.dpuf
Huitlacoche quesadillas: Huitlacoche, also known as corn fungus or corn “smut,” may not sound like your first choice for quesadilla filling, but it lends a definite earthy richness to the quesadillas, and a robustness similar to truffles to the finished dish.

QUICK & EASY: 99 terrific recipes in about an hour or less

Quesadillas stuffed with mushrooms and goat cheese: For a wonderfully rich, meaty tasting filling, try adding sauteed mushrooms cooked with shallots and butter and a touch of mint. The recipe comes together in minutes, perfect after a long day.

For a wonderfully rich, meaty filling, try adding sauteed mushrooms cooked with shallots and butter and a touch of mint. The recipe comes together in minutes, perfect after a long day. - See more at: https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2012/07/dinner-tonight-mushroom-quesadillas.html#sthash.3mOy8zs5.dpuf
For a wonderfully rich, meaty filling, try adding sauteed mushrooms cooked with shallots and butter and a touch of mint. The recipe comes together in minutes, perfect after a long day. - See more at: https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2012/07/dinner-tonight-mushroom-quesadillas.html#sthash.3mOy8zs5.dpuf
For a wonderfully rich, meaty filling, try adding sauteed mushrooms cooked with shallots and butter and a touch of mint. The recipe comes together in minutes, perfect after a long day. - See more at: https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2012/07/dinner-tonight-mushroom-quesadillas.html#sthash.3mOy8zs5.dpu
You can find all of the recipes below.

And for more ideas, click through our easy dinner recipes gallery and check out our Dinner Tonight page, devoted to recipes that can be made in an hour or less. Looking for a particular type of recipe? Comment below or email me at noelle.carter@latimes.com.

RECIPES: 99 easy dinner ideas in about an hour or less
Quesadillas stuffed with greens and feta

Total time: 30 minute

Servings: 4 to 6

Oil

1/3 cup minced onion

1 pound mixed cooking greens, such as kale, mustards and collards

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

2 teaspoons minced garlic

1 cup diced feta cheese

12 corn tortillas

1/4 pound low-moisture mozzarella, cut in small dice

1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet. Add the onion and cook until it softens and begins to color, 3 to 5 minutes.

2. While the onion is cooking, rinse the greens in a colander but don’t dry them. When the onion is ready, add the greens along with any water that clings to the leaves to the skillet. Season with salt and red pepper, sprinkle with garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until the greens are quite tender, about 15 minutes.

3. Remove from the heat and stir in the feta.

4. Heat 2 teaspoons oil on a griddle over medium heat; use a spatula to distribute it so the surface is evenly covered. If you don’t have a large griddle, you can use a skillet, but you’ll have to cook the quesadillas in more than one batch. Add the tortillas and cook on one side until they have softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip them to the other side and spoon 2 to 3 tablespoons of the greens in the center. Sprinkle over some of the diced mozzarella and use a spatula to fold the tortilla in half around the filling.

5. Cook until the tortilla begins to brown on one side, 2 to 3 minutes, and then flip onto the other side and cook until the tortilla browns on that side and the mozzarella is melted, about 2 to 3 minutes more. If some of the melting cheese oozes onto the griddle, that’s even better. Repeat if necessary to use up all the tortillas and filling.

6. Serve immediately, or keep warm in a 250-degree oven until all the quesadillas have been made.

Each of 6 servings: 311 calories; 13 grams protein; 32 grams carbohydrates; 5 grams fiber; 16 grams fat; 7 grams saturated fat; 37 mg. cholesterol; 2 grams sugar; 840 mg. sodium.

Huitlacoche quesadillas

Total time: 25 minutes

Servings: 4

Note: Huitlacoche can be found at select Latin markets; call ahead to make sure. It is also available online.

1 tablespoon oil

1/4 onion, minced

1 garlic clove, minced

2 serrano peppers, minced

1 (7-ounce) can of huitlacoche

6 to 8 (6- to 7-inch) corn tortillas

1 (12-ounce) package Oaxaca cheese, sliced

1. In a medium skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat until hot. Add the onions, garlic and minced peppers and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are softened, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in the huitlacoche and heat until it begins to bubble, stirring frequently, then remove from heat and set aside.

2. Assemble the quesadillas: Heat a tortilla on the stovetop (this can be done directly on the stovetop or using a comal, or griddle pan). Add sliced cheese to one-half of the tortilla, and when it has melted, add a scoop of the huitlacoche mixture. Fold the tortilla over and hold in a warm place until all the quesadillas have been assembled. Repeat with the remaining tortillas. Serve immediately.

Each serving: 455 calories; 25 grams protein; 22 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams fiber; 31 grams fat; 17 grams saturated fat; 76 mg cholesterol; 2 grams sugar; 478 mg sodium.

Quesadillas stuffed with mushrooms and goat cheese

Total time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4 to 6

2 tablespoons butter

1 pound sliced or quartered mushrooms

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup minced shallots

1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint

1/4 cup fresh goat cheese

1/2 pound low-moisture mozzarella, diced

2 teaspoons oil

12 corn tortillas

1. Heat the butter in a small skillet over medium-high heat. When the butter has stopped foaming and bubbling, add the mushrooms and sprinkle with salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms have given up their moisture, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with shallots and cook until the shallots have softened, the moisture has evaporated and the mushrooms are quite tender, about 5 more minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the mint and the goat cheese.

2. Heat the oil on a griddle over medium heat; use a spatula to distribute it so the surface is evenly covered. If you don’t have a large griddle, you can use a skillet, but you’ll have to cook the quesadillas in more than one batch. Add the tortillas and cook on one side until they have softened, 1 to 2 minutes. Flip them to the other side and spoon 3 to 4 tablespoons of the mushroom mixture in the center. Sprinkle over some of the diced mozzarella and use a spatula to fold the tortilla in half around the filling.

3. Cook until the tortilla begins to brown on one side, about 2 to 3 minutes, and then flip onto the other side and cook until the tortilla browns on that side and the mozzarella is melted, about 2 to 3 minutes more. If some of the melting cheese oozes onto the griddle, that’s even better. Repeat if necessary to use up all of the tortillas and filling.

4. Serve immediately, or keep warm in a 250-degree oven until all of the quesadillas have been made.

Each of 6 servings: 312 calories; 15 grams protein; 26 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams fiber; 17 grams fat; 9 grams saturated fat; 44 mg. cholesterol; 3 grams sugar; 686 mg. sodium. - See more at: https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2012/07/dinner-tonight-mushroom-quesadillas.html#sthash.3mOy8zs5.dpuf
Quesadillas stuffed with mushrooms and goat cheese

Total time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4 to 6

2 tablespoons butter

1 pound sliced or quartered mushrooms

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup minced shallots

1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint

1/4 cup fresh goat cheese

1/2 pound low-moisture mozzarella, diced

2 teaspoons oil

12 corn tortillas

4. Serve immediately, or keep warm in a 250-degree oven until all of the quesadillas have been made.

Each of 6 servings: 312 calories; 15 grams protein; 26 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams fiber; 17 grams fat; 9 grams saturated fat; 44 mg. cholesterol; 3 grams sugar; 686 mg. sodium.

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