Craving a gooey, crispy and golden, melts-in-your-mouth quesadilla? Black beans, gooey reduced fat cheese, steamed zucchini, shredded cooked pork or thin lean slices of leftover steak and a side of salsa make these quesadillas leaner and lower in calories and also higher in fiber and protein. My family just raves about how filling these quesadillas are, plus they are not only great served as a main dish, but can also be served as an anytime appetizer or snack!

Servings: 8 (4 triangular portions)

You’ll need:

8 burrito size flour tortillas, low fat and at least 5 grams of fiber per serving
2 cups reduced fat Mexican cheese blend, shredded
1 cup cooked low-sodium seasoned black beans, drained
1 cup leftover shredded pork or thin slices of steak* (trimmed of any visible fat)
1/2 cup sliced and steamed zucchini, drained in colander
1/4 cup cooked diced yellow onions
2 cups favorite salsa
1/4 cup diced green chilies
Non-stick low calorie cooking spray
Fat free sour cream (optional)

Directions:
Heat large non-stick pan to medium.

Spray pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Place one tortilla in the pan.

Layer 1/8 cup of shredded Mexican cheese blend on half of tortilla.

Layer 1/8 cup black beans, 1 Tbsp. onions and 2 Tbsp. cooked zucchini and sprinkle on 1 Tbsp. diced green chilies.

Layer on another 1/8 cup shredded cheese over top of other half of tortilla.

Fold over the quesadilla.

Cook both sides until they’re a delectable golden brown.

Repeat steps two through eight, until all quesadillas are made, so keep warm in foil or oven.

Plate each quesadilla and cut into 4 triangular sections. Serve each 4 triangular portions with 1/4 cup side ramekin or small dish of your favorite salsa.

If you’d like, top each serving with a dollop of (optional) fat-free sour cream.

Enjoy!

Karen’s Note:  You might want to make sure the beans, onions and zucchini are heated in the microwave and drained of juices, before adding them to the quesadilla. This will definitely help the cheese melt faster. *You can also use turkey bacon or turkey sausage pieces in place of the meat for these great tasting quesadillas!

Servings: 10

You’ll need:
1 10 oz. package of frozen corn
1-1/2 to 1-3/4 cups Karen’s Favorite Salsa, freshly made or kept refrigerated
3/4 c. 2% reduced fat Mexican cheese, shredded
2 Tbsp. green onions, chopped
Baked corn tortilla chips
2 Tbsp. Fat free sour cream (optional)

Microwave frozen corn according to package directions and drain off liquid.

Combine corn with 1-1/2 cups of Karen’s salsa in a microwave-safe 9-inch pie plate or casserole dish. Cover with plastic wrap and vent. Microwave on HIGH for about 2 minutes, until bubbly by heating in microwave for 30 second additional intervals.

Sprinkle shredded Mexican cheese over corn mixture. Cover and let stand 5 minutes or heat on HIGH for 30 second intervals, until cheese melts.

Top Hot Mexican Dip with chopped green onions, 1/4 cup of Karen’s Favorite Salsa (1/8 cup served on both sides of the dish) and two Tbsp. (dollops) of (optional) fat free sour cream. Serve immediately with baked corn tortilla chips.

Karen’s Note: To up the fiber and/or protein of this dish…add one can of drained and heated black beans or heated grilled boneless/skinless chicken breast strips.

Makes 6 ooey, gooey, s’more servings!

You’ll need:
6 low fat graham crackers, split into 12 squares
6 tsp. semi-sweet chocolate mini morsels
6 Tbsp. miniature marshmallows

On 3 microwavable plates, lay flat 2 squares. Top each of the 6 squares with 1 tsp. semi-sweet chocolate mini morsels. Microwave each plate on high for about 20 seconds.  For high powered microwaves, reduce time to about 10 seconds.

PLEASE USE CAUTION to remove each plate from oven carefully as the heated microwave plates may be slightly hot!

Next top each semi-melted chocolate covered graham cracker square with 1 Tbsp. miniature marshmallows. Put each plate back into microwave oven and heat on high for only 15 seconds (regular, high-powered microwaves about 10 seconds) each, or until the marshmallows start to bubble.

Again, USE CAUTION to remove each heated plate from oven. Allow each plate to sit for about 5-10 seconds each, before covering each ooey, gooey, square with another graham cracker square, pressing down slightly.

​Karen’s Note: Enjoy this ooey, gooey, sweet treat that is sure to make everyone smile, except when laughed at, because some melted chocolate just might get on your chin! However, laughing can cause happiness, which can be contagious. So, be sure to share this recipe with all your family and friends. That way everyone young and old can enjoy it and be happy!