The Yummiest Quesadillas Ever

I'm not even kidding. I first had these quesadillas at a local health food cafe. I thought I was going to die right there. Although the cafe has many delicious items on its menu, I never order any of them. Just this quesadilla. So, I thought I would try to duplicate their recipe. And duplicate, I did. You will love me forever if you make these. See? Like this. You will make this face at me...

Unless you're allergic to pine nuts. Then you will hate me.

This is one of those non-specific recipes, too. Sorry.

The Yummiest Quesadillas Ever

Whole grain tortillas (sprouted is best)
Shredded cheese (the cafe uses mozzarella, I used white cheddar, you can use what you want)
Black beans (cooked)
Brown rice (cooked)
Corn
Pesto (this is what makes these things so heavenly)

Put one (or two) tortillas on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with some cheese.

Broil just until cheese is melted. Top with the rest of the ingredients. Finish with more cheese.

Broil until that cheese is melted. Put another tortilla on top. Broil again until warm and crispy. Cut with a pizza cutter and serve.

You won't regret it.

Tomato-Pesto Lasagna

This is probably my favorite recipe EVER. I have to double it and we still polish off both of them. It is SO GOOD.

Tomato-Pesto Lasagna

Tomato Sauce

1/2 cup olive oil

1 chopped yellow onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 28 oz. cans diced tomatoes

2 bay leaves

Pinch red pepper flakes

2 teaspoons oregano

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground pepper

Saute onion and garlic in olive oil until onion is translucent. Add tomatoes, bay leaves, red pepper flakes, oregano, salt and pepper. Simmer over medium-low heat for 15 minutes. Remove bay leaves.

Pesto (This is not a vegan pesto. For a vegan pesto recipe, click here. It can be substituted here.)

2 cloves garlic

2 tablespoon pine nuts

2 cups fresh basil, tough stems removed

2/3 cup grated parmesan cheese (or goat feta - that's what we use)

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 teaspoon olive oil

Blend all ingredients in a blender or food processor.

9 dried lasagna noodles

Boil lasagna noodles. Tricky, eh?

Finally, combine the tomato sauce (If you timed everything well, it should still be warm. If not, reheat it.) and the pesto. Lay three cooked noodles on the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Spoon 1/3 of the tomato-pesto mixture on top. Repeat three times. Eat. And eat. And eat. You won't want to stop. I'm so not kidding. The end.

Basil Pesto

Basil Pesto (From Get it Ripe by Jae Steele and by the way, everything of hers is delicious. I highly recommend her book!)

1/4 lb fresh basil leaves (2 1/2 ‐3 cups)

1/2 c. pine nuts or other raw nuts or seeds

2 medium cloves of garlic

1/2 tsp. sea salt

freshly ground black pepper to taste

1/3 c. olive oil

1/4 c. hot filtered water

Wash the basil, remove stems, and add to a food processor or blender along with the

pine nuts or other nuts or seeds, garlic, salt, and pepper. Pulse a few times to break

up and combine ingredients. Add the oil and water and process until desired

consistency (or coarse paste) is achieved.