A quesadilla (from "queso", Spanish for "cheese") is a tortilla folded over shredded cheese or a cheese slice (often a Mexican-style soft farmer's cheese such as Chihuahua cheese or other light-colored melting cheese), which might also include cooked meat and/or bean filling.It is then fried, deep-fried or toasted using a broiler, griddle, or open fire, and sometimes spiced with salsa. The term can also be used for a pair of tortillas, with the cheese and other fillings between them, similarly cooked. Quesadillas are sometimes cut into strips before being served as an appetizer to a meal of Mexican food. Mexican pizzas can also be made in the same form as a quesadilla but with additional ingredients that are typically found in a pizza such as tomato sauce and meats.

In Mexico, most of the people use corn tortillas and the most common cheese used in quesadillas is Oaxaca cheese. This is a type of string cheese which originates from the Mexican state of Oaxaca. In areas near Mexico City, cheese can be, and usually is, omitted, its place being taken by any of a variety of foods. A sincronizada (Spanish for "synchronized") is a quesadilla which usually consists of two ingredients, typically ham and cheese. Sincronizadas are made with flour tortillas and are the closest Mexican equivalent to what is typically called a quesadilla in most Mexican restaurants outside of Mexico.

The quesadilla versus the taco

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The differences between a taco and a quesadilla consist of shape, kinds of filling and the order of filling and cooking. A taco is rolled around the filling, while a quesadilla is flat, sandwiching its filling.

Quesadilla fillings are usually based on cheese (hence its name, from the Spanish queso), and are generally of a pasty consistency and considered appetizers. Taco fillings are usually based on meat or animal products, with a chunky consistency, and considered an entrée.

Quesadillas are filled and cooked afterwards; tacos are a still-pliable tortilla wrapped around its filling. The usual case where tacos are cooked after filling is when making a flauta (Spanish for "flute," because of its shape). See taco for an explanation of taco shells.

Quesadillas are cut into wedges or strips in restaurants outside of Mexico, where they are often served as an appetizer. In authentic Mexican restaurants, and in people's homes, quesadillas are generally eaten whole, and two to four of these often constitute a light meal. Another variation found outside of Mexico is a "whole" quesadilla, which is made of two tortillas sandwiched with the filling between rather than one folded over.

Yet another variation of the quesadilla, served in many restaurants along the U.S.-Mexico border in southeastern California, is the Special Quesadilla. It consists of an uncooked flour tortilla stuffed with a traditional cheese, folded in half, then crimped along the edge and deep fried in lard or vegetable oil. The Special Quesadilla may be served as an appetizer or entrée.

Jamie Oliver has recently promoted whole quesadillas as a healthy appetizer for children in his advertisements for J. Sainsbury supermarkets, provoking additional interest in the dish in the United Kingdom.

In pop culture

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• In the popular movie Napoleon Dynamite, Napoleon's grandmother mispronounces quesadilla as 'case-aye-dil-uh', this has become a popular twist on the pronunciation.

Mexican cuisine | Tortilla-based dishes | Sandwiches

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