My roommates and I are all pretty diverse. My parents were born in Nigeria, and I’m a product of their African ways. My roommate Alesia was born in Belarus, and then hopped around the greater part of Eastern Europe before her family moved to American when she was ten. And Amy…well, Amy is as Caucasian as it gets, but she’s met and experienced a lot of people so she knows what’s up.
The point is: we eat a lot of foods from our different cultures constantly. But one culture that gets misrepresented in my apartment, and even in my group of friends, is Mexican cuisines. The closest we get to it is Taco Bell, and let’s be real: it’s not real. So when one of our friends suggested that we make Mexican food for dinner, I got a little nervous (plus, a little bummed, since I generally don’t like a lot of Mexican food). However, being the adventurous girl that I am, I embarked on a quesadilla journey.
The reaction that I got to these was the most positive reaction I’ve ever gotten from my roommates. I’ve been called the Quesadilla Queen (well. Only I call myself that. But they are really good). And the best part is, it’s the simplest cultural thing I’ve ever cooked in my life. It literally took me only ten minutes, which is perfect for my on-the-go crazy life.
Chicken Quesadillas
Need:
1. One bag of boneless chicken breast strips (I’m not going to endorse any specific kind, because that’s up to you. However, I will confess and say I found one with a chicken quesadilla recipe on it, which jump-started my creativity and love for this Mexican food).
2. One eight oz. bag of shredded, mixed Mexican cheese
3. Eight tortillas (I prefer the flour kind to the corn kind. Or, as Alesia said when I fed her the corn kind, “This is NOT the same. I refuse to eat it.”)
Directions:
1. Place the bag of chicken on a lightly sprayed or oiled pan, turn the stove to medium-high and cook for about five minutes, turning the
2. Put the chicken in a bowl, and pour the whole bag of cheese in. Mix evenly.
3. Put one tortilla on a tray or plate or whatever is easiest. Scoop the mixture onto the tortilla, and
4. Place the tortilla-mix-tortilla combination on an oiled skillet with the stove to medium-high. You’re probably thinking, “How the heck is this going to say on the stove? Should I fold it in half?” Just trust me. It all comes together. Literally, it will all stick together.
5. Wait two to three minutes, while occasional pressing on the quesadilla, and then flip it over. Cook for another two to three minutes
6. Place on place, cut into fourths, and repeat. With eight tortillas you can make four quesadillas, and, if you make them as awesomely as I do, you can also win the hearts of your roommates.