Traditional foods such as quesadillas can seldom be traced to a specific year or person of origin. Most often, food historians find foods like the quesadilla evolved over many, many years.
What is a Quesadilla? A quesadilla is traditionally made from round, unleavened quick bread called tortillas, which are made from corn or flour.
In four easy steps, you can make a tasty quesadilla anyone would enjoy.
- Preheat seasoned griddle until very hot (400 degrees F.)
- Place a tortilla on the griddle.
- Cover the tortilla with cheese, sauce, and or meat, and then place another tortilla on top, like a sandwich.
- Cook the quesadilla for 2-3 minutes on one side, then flip it and do the same on the other side until it is nice and brown.
You’ll find a more specific recipe in our children’s baking book, Baking with Friends. Be sure to check out that recipe, and to learn more about variations for preparing quesadillas.
What is a staple food?
It is hard to understand what a staple food is until you’ve experienced it in another culture. We take for granted corn being a staple food in the United States. A staple is a food product that is used daily, and in most homes like the tortilla in Mexico.
While visiting rural areas of Mexico, or Guatemala, it is possible to hear people making fresh tortillas each day. In many homes you can hear a slapping sound through windows as the townspeople pat, pat, pat the tortillas by hand, then lay them in a brick or stone oven to bake, or place them on a griddle. Soon the sound becomes music to your ears as you realize, it is indeed part of the culture.
So what do you think? Are you ready to try making tortillas and quesadillas with your parents, or in your classroom? Let’s get started!
Additional Resources from Baking with Friends
We’ve got an excellent resource for youngsters to learn baking from home, and making waffles is a great way to start! Dragonfly Bakers and Bumble Bee Spice Specialists will generate excitement for children learning to bake in our colorful children’s cookbook, Baking with Friends.
Teachers, parents, youth leaders and mentors will find educational resources abound. A valuable resource to teach kids self-sufficiency in the kitchen while inviting questions and providing answers through this new learning tool! Everyone will share in the tasty success of learning to bake! Includes 60 minute CD.
Sample Page – Baking Certificate
Sample Page – Measurement Guide
Sample Page – Ten Tips for Baking Success
Sample Page – Baking Literature Reading List
