Apple-Cheddar Quesadillas

Sometimes I’m really busy and don’t have time to cook a multi-course, nutritious dinner. And other times I’m just plain lazy, but still want something quick and tasty [and often meatless — sorry, Pete!]. Lately, I’ve been having a lot of those nights… ahh, the benefits of getting home from work at 8pm.

Though there are nights that I’m perfectly content with a glass of wine and a large block of cheese for dinner, there’s a little voice in my head [or maybe in my stomach] that says I need a meal with a little more… substance. So, I pull out some crackers to go with the cheese. Sometimes I get crazy and even add some grapes or figs to the mix! And then I remember that there are four other people in the house that probably want to eat too. Or, at the very least, a hungry boyfriend who has worked undoubtedly twice as long and twice as hard as I have that day and deserves something delicious when he gets home… at midnight.

If only he could be as satisfied with wine & cheese for dinner as I am.

However, on those days where I know I’ll only be responsible for feeding myself and I’m feeling über lazy, I always have a few go-to meals up my sleeve — all of which are quick, delicious and typically meatless. Yup, I said it. That’s your disclaimer, friends, loud and clear: this quick dish has no meat in it. I repeat, NO MEAT. Watch, as all the men in the area scramble to find their car keys to run out and grab a big, juicy steak for dinner, to make up for the meatless-ness happening at home. I’ve seen it one too many times.

“[grunt, grunt] man food. we want meat! [grunt].”

Or, at least, that’s the scene in my house when the boys realize that the deliciousness they smell is full of grains and veggies and is totally lacking in the meat department.

Sorry I’m not sorry.

But, I digress. Let’s get back on track and talk about my dinner tonight: apple-cheddar quesadillas. Unfortunately, I’ve been too busy with real life to bake anything with all the delicious apples we picked last weekend, but I couldn’t let any more time pass without enjoying them in all their apple-icious glory. This quesadilla was inspired by a failed attempt a few weeks back when – on a whim – Pete wanted to make barbecue chicken quesadillas for dinner. Without going into any of the gory details, let’s just say that I swooped in to save the day — er, meal — only to later realize that a single apple was sitting on the counter, overlooked and lonely, meant for our quesadillas. I vowed to make use of that apple, no matter what it would take! Heroic, huh?

 So, if you have ten minutes, an empty stomach and these four basic ingredients, this meal is a go! Shred your cheddar cheese, slice your apples, and locate a wrap + your favorite barbecue sauce. You can use whatever type of wrap you like [I typically prefer wheat or whole grain], but be sure to warm it in the microwave or on your skillet for a few seconds before adding your ingredients; it’s easier to fold in half when it’s not straight-from-the-fridge cold.

Alright — so first, the cheese [yes, Mom, I know. I’m being stingy, per usual]:And then, the apples – as many or as few as you’d like. I happened to feed 3/4 of this apple to Dakota [our goofy, drooling, continuously hungry German Shepherd], so…. these five slices are all I was really left with. You know, besides the giant basket full of apples that was sitting in front of me. The keyword here is lazy, okay?

Last, but certainly not least — the barbecue sauce. The unanimous favorite in our house is Sweet Baby Ray’s Original, but feel free to use your fav brand!

Once assembled, fold the top half over and toss on a preheated [and greased!] skillet; heat on both sides until the cheese has melted. And… you’re done. Legit. Give it like 3 minutes to cool and then dig in. So fast, so delicious.

And, if you must — toss some chicken in there and make it gender-friendly. Because I know some of us have boys at home that refuse to eat a dish if it does not contain meat…

#firstworldproblems