Quesadinis (makes 2-3 servings)

What’s a quesadini? It’s an exquisite hybrid of a quesadilla and a panini. Aren’t those two pretty similar things in the first place? Shhh don’t over-think it.  

I waited in a huge line for these every single day at the Commons on the Green at UAB, and unlike many things about living on campus, it NEVER got old. This is a vegetarian version made with black beans and Rotel tomatoes, but you can fill yours with whatever you're in the mood for.

Real food?             

Unfortunately, no. It’s tough to find real-food tortillas, and I’ve never tried making my own, although I’ve heard some people say it’s worth the effort.  I also use store-bought dressing, which is decidedly not real food.  

Cook time:                      

15 - 20 min

Price:                                  

$2.75/serving

Ingredients

• 1 can of black beans
• ½ can Rotel tomatoes
• About ½ pound of Colby Jack cheese (shredded)
• A handful of spinach (chopped)
• Mission wraps (I like jalapeno cheddar)
• Spicy ranch dressing

All of these ingredients are negotiable, but to be clear, they are to be negotiated by you, the sandwich maker. If anyone else asks for special treatment, you should sigh angrily then burn their sandwich in retaliation. That’s the way the ladies in the Commons did it, and I’d be afraid to question their methods for fear it might impact the quality.

Directions

1.  Prepare the ingredients.

Remember how they used to chop everything up and mix it all together before putting it in the quesadini? Unlike everything else in the “recipe,” this step is mandatory.  

2.  Put together the sandwich and throw it on the grill.

Spread dressing on the wrap, fold it in half, then fold it in half again. When you pick it up, you should have two pockets to fill with delicious stuff. A panini press would be ideal, but I use a cheap George Foreman grill, and it works fine.

3.  Serve!

 This sandwich pairs well with whining about classes that aren’t really that hard, setting unrealistic life goals, and gossiping about classmates that are barely out of earshot.  

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