Homemade Salsa and Cheese Quesadillas

We  had a mexican dinner last night comprising of appetizers like tortilla chips with tomato salsa,cheese quesadilla,spanish rice and green-chile enchiladas.We enjoyed having it as a change to our normal dinner..I chose to make easy mexican dishes as this was the first time I made these at home..Here goes the recipes..

           

Homemade Salsa

No food better represents the influence of Mexico in modern cooking than delicious salsa, in all its flavorful variations.Salsas are a healthy, easy, and flavorful way to compliment many Mexican dishes and other foods.Salsa is made with fresh ingredients, mainly fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, bell peppers, pineapple, onion, garlic, peppers and any other vegetable you like.The spiciness of the salsas can be varied by using different type of chiles.I made a very simple tomato salsa.Here goes the recipe..

                         

Ingredients

Ripe tomatoes - 4
Yellow onions - 1 large
Jalapenos / Chile(any variety) - as per the spice level you need
Salt to taste
Vinegar - 3 teaspoons

Directions

Chop the tomatoes and the onions very finely.They should both be chopped to equal size.
Also chop the jalapenos finely.
Combine all the three along with salt and vinegar.Mash everything slightly so that the juices flow out.Refridgerate until chilled and serve with tortilla chips.I used the store bought ones.They can also be made at home.Recipe here.

Cheese quesadillas

                        

This is a simple yet delicious appetizer.It get's even better when you add sour cream and rich, creamy guacamole on the side for dipping.Thesy are so versatile that you can throw in anything you can imagine.I have seen quesadillas with chopped tomatoes, avocado slices, olives, mushroom slices, corn etc. Here is my version of cheese quesadilla.

Ingredients (for one serving)

Large flour tortillas - 2
Shredded mild cheddar cheese - 1/2 cup
Yellow onion, finely chopped - 1 tablespoon
Mushrooms - 1 tablespoon chopped
Olives - 1 teaspoon chopped
Jalapeno / Chillies - any variety,1 tablespoon chopped
Butter - 1 spoon

Directions

Heat a nonstick pan and place one tortilla.Sprinkle the onions,mushrooms,chile,olives and the cheese on top.Place the second tortilla on top.
Place half the butter and when it melts flip the tortilla carefully with a flat spoon or spatula.
Now add the remaining butter.Cook until the sides get browned and the cheese gets melted.The melted cheese holds both the tortillas together.
Cut into wedges and serve immediately with sour cream and guacamole.

I adopted this recipe for Spanish rice and it came out perfect.
It is a perfect accompaniment with enchiladas,refried beans and tacos.

Recipe for green-chile enchiladas : here

Sending this off to AWED: Mexican hosted by Dhivya