Confession No. 73 — Peanut Butter cookies should always be criss-crossed … and other words of wisdom
D on’t part ways on an angry note. And that includes going to sleep. It’s not always easy, but heed my advice. You’ll be glad you did.
If one generic-brand can is dented, all of them are.
Avoid using your middle finger in traffic. I don’t know why, but the recipient of your sign language will almost always be your preacher (or priest, or rabbi), your child’s teacher … or your own grandmother.
Most movies aren’t as good the second time around. Or the third. I don’t know why, but that’s not the case with many books or most songs.
There’s always a better steak at the bottom of the display stack. Don’t feel bad about asking the meat market guy to show them to you.
Driving fast over a speed-bump is more likely to damage the suspension on your car, but it’s invigorating.
‘Spicy’ usually means ‘too spicy’ for the timid and ‘not enough spice’ for the adventurous.
Teach your children to not pick the fat guy last. Make his day, and possibly more.
Swimming pools are always better when they are owned and maintained by your friends.
Reach up as far as you can. Now, reach higher. You’re busted! (We’re all busted.) Try this little trick on someone who believes he has nothing left in the tank. Both of you will be better for it.
No one has ever been accused of saying ‘I love you’ too many times.
Pancakes should have crispy edges; pizza should always have a little extra marinara; and peanut butter cookies should always be criss-crossed.
It’s the way it is. They just taste better that way.
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If you’ve ever made a quesadilla, you know why I’m almost ashamed to post a recipe. Fact is, these are akin to making a grilled cheese. (And when making these for young children, that’s exactly what I’d suggest — cheese.) For yourself, be as creative as you like. If you think it’ll taste good on a sandwich, it will work even better grilled between two flour tortillas. Following are two mixtures that satisfy the masses at my home on a regular basis.
Quesadillas Two Ways
Just think of a quesadilla as a grilled cheese with flour tortillas. Use a pizza cutter for easy slicing.
Roasted Chicken & Bacon
1/2 – Rotisserie chicken, deboned and chopped (or shredded)
8-10 — Thick bacon slices, cooked and chopped
1 — Medium onion, chopped and caramelized
2 tsp. — Oregano (preferably Mexican)
1/2 cup — Sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
4 (10-inch) — Flour tortillas
In large skillet, spray lightly with oil (or add about 1 tsp of oil) and heat to medium.
On a tortilla, spread half of the cheese to within about an inch of the edge. Top with 1 tsp of oregano, half of the onion; then half of the bacon; and half of the chopped chicken. Top with another tortilla.
Transfer to hot skillet and grill about 1 minute — or until cheese melts. Carefully flip using a large spatula. Grill for another 1-2 minutes, until bottom tortilla is nicely browned. Flip again and brown other side (about 1 minute).
Repeat with other half of mixture. Makes two large quesadillas.
Dipping Sauces: Mexican Table Salsa; Barbecue Sauce; Sour Cream
Shrimp & Avocado
1 lb. — Large (26-30 ct.) shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails removed
2 — Garlic cloves, minced
2 — Small avocados, sliced or chunked
2 TB — Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
1 TB — Lime juice
2 TB — Mexican Table Salsa, or other red salsa
1/2 cup — Queso Oaxaca, Queso Asadero or Monterrey Jack, shredded
4 (10-inch) — Flour tortillas
In a lightly oiled skillet, sear shrimp and garlic until shrimp are just pink. Remove from skillet and toss with salsa and lime juice. Set aside.
On a tortilla, spread half of the cheese to within about an inch of the edge. Add half of shrimp and the chopped flesh of one avocado. Top with half of the cilantro. Top with another tortilla.
Transfer to hot skillet and grill about 1 minute — or until cheese melts. Carefully flip using a large spatula. Grill for another 1-2 minutes, until bottom tortilla is nicely browned. Flip again and brown other side (about 1 minute).
Repeat with other half of mixture. Makes two large quesadillas.
Dipping Sauces: Mexican Table Salsa; Sour Cream
Words of wisdom, indeed! Every last one of them.
Oh, and winner winner, quesadillas for dinner!
No quesadillas for you, Becca! (Didn’t I read that you have lock-jaw?) Oh, how I wish my kids had lock-jaw…
Oh yeah! These quesadillas look phenomenal! I will be making these after Christmas when everyone is tired of ham and turkey…
Thanks, Anna! I’ll be serving these on Christmas afternoon, along with the large Tex-Mex spread. Merry Christmas!
MMM! I wish I was coming to your house for the Christmas after party! Merry Christmas to you too!
I’m only 4’11″. How high do you think I can reach?
Merry Christmas, sweet ol’ guy. I’ve loved getting to know you this year!
Keep reaching, Jen. Merry Christmas to you and your family! (Your Chick-fil-A gift card and NRA gift membership are in the mail.)
Jen, you’re only 4’11″? You write so much taller than that!
I love quesadillas! These look good.
Thank you, Sir!
I made these (or a viriation) about three weeks ago. Except I took left over chicken strips, shredded until like a paste, spread over the tortillas with green chiles and tomato with onion. Kids loved them. On the words of wisdom…don’t forget “if it ain’t broke, fix it anyway”. That’s what men do to have an excuse to buy a new one. Check my storage shed.
Quesadillas are the perfect vessel for using up leftovers. I found some semi-fresh mushrooms behind some buttermilk a couple of weeks ago; trimmed and cleaned them; followed by a quick sauté with some garlic and EVOO. A little white cheese and some fresh cilantro leaves (always on hand here) made for the perfect snack. — And I’m no longer allowed to ‘fix’ stuff around here for that very reason. Merry Christmas, Joe!
Quesadilla recipe and advice on a Sunday morn. Can’t beat it….and of course you criss-cross peanut butter cookies, I mean C’mon!
Damn straight, Fitzy! There’s no other way, man. By the way, very good points on your latest blog entry. I’m your newest follower.
Welcome aboard Adam! That was one of my more serious slants…..usually try to add humor to the mundane. I like your writing, very energetic….check out some of the other blogs like the Are You a Spiller and that is the usual speed of my writing. Thanks for stopping by and look forward to more dialogue between chores…..
Ah, the things we learn on our journey through life! Lol! Good words of advice! You made my day, and maybe my holidays as well! Thanks, and Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Kwanzaa, Merry Yule, or just, Happy Holidays!
Sunny H Bay and white, blue eyes. That’s Elemental Magic, Colorful and cute!
You forgot Festivus!
But really, thank you for your very kind words. Merry Christmas!
Good advice and wisdom!! Ha! My son loves quesadillas..so thanks for the recipe! About the peanut butter cookies…you do know that some people put a Hersey Kiss in the middle…would you still criss-cross first?????? Merry Christmas to you & your family!!
It’s amazing how what’s really deep inside us comes out when we’re in the car, isn’t it. Maybe that’s one of the criteria I’ll teach Dudette to look at when she’s dating a guy. Not a bad idea. I love quesadillas, but mine are usually a lot more mundane than your creations. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas!
That’s a very good call on the whole dating thing. Wow! Merry Christmas to you and yours too!
You had me at chicken and bacon. Cheese quesadillas are my “I’m too lazy took, but we’re too broke to order a pizza” go-to meal. I do not know why I never thought to add chicken and bacon to them. I must fix that ASAP. Merry Christmas!!
Merry Christmas, Rachel! (I have many of those ‘I’m too lazy and broke’ meals, and saltines with green olives and cream cheese usually tops the list.)
Mmmmm, chicken and bacon. Bacon makes everything better. I love quesadillas…they remind me of Napoleon Dynamite. “Go on, Napoleon…make yourself a dang quesadilla….”
I’ve yet to see that movie.
What?! Roasted Chicken & Bacon Quesadilla?!?!? Yes please!! | I loved your words of wisdom, as usual
BTW- used your sandwich sauce (beef & ‘basa) on my Philly Cheese Steaks the other day. Die-hard PCS lovers might find that sacrilegious, but I called it delicious!
Thank you, Conni. I am one of those die-hard Philly Cheesesteak lovers (yes, I’ve been to Pat’s) and — considering that people are adding jalapenos, mushrooms, peppers and other ingredients — I think the sauce works fine. Now, if you dressed it with mustard or ketchup, we’d be debating right now.
Glad the quesadilla made your mouth water. That was the prelude to our Christmas spread. Hope all is well with you.
Oh goodness no! No ketchup or mustard! We are enjoying the holidays, and glad that my husband is not in the desert this year
Your husband doesn’t know us, but we appreciate him. More than he probably realizes. Also, we appreciate you. Thanks.
My mouth is watering by llooking at those quesadillas!
Thanks! I hope you are making them for yourself!
this is so great! the words of wisdom — and the quesadilla looks amaaaaaazingly delicious.. Happy Holiday and thanks for sharing this.
Joanne/Winelady Cooks
Thank you, Winelady. I’m glad you stopped by.
Ah yes, the friend’s swimming pool…I am with you on this and quite a few more….Happy Holidays, Adam!
I’m glad the friend’s swimming pool bit wasn’t lost. I’m just hopeful that we don’t become that ‘friend.’ Season’s Greetings, Natalia!
Love this post – your tips are totally spot on and cheese melted between two layers of carbs is ALWAYS welcome in my belly. Happy Holidays, Adam! I look forward to another year following your wise words and drool-inducing recipes.
I appreciate your kind words and hope all is well!
This looks absolutely delicious. Thanks for following my blog.
Thank you, Steve! It’s my pleasure.
The quesadilla recipes will be One Noted. Buttermilk pie update: I followed your directions. It turned out perfectly! Mr. Mike loves it! He says the last time he ate buttermilk pie was when he was living in Austin. He drove his old Studebaker truck someplace in the hills for repair. The mechanic’s wife fed him buttermilk pie while he waited. He has fond memories of the pie and the pickup.
This is the best list of things to consider upon the arrival of a new year I have ever seen! You must be such a fun dad. Have a great new year… don’t forget to criss-cross your cookies, dot your i’s and stir the milk clockwise!
Thank you, Granny. This is the kinder, gentler me. I have actual ‘resolutions’ coming Sunday morning. I hope you stop back by.
I sure will!
Wonderful words of wisdom, and I especially agree with the criss-crossed cookies. Whats a peanut butter cookie without those signature marks? Those quesadillas are gorgeous. And what delicious variations on them!
Thank you. Happy 2013!