Pinto Bean Quesadillas

Last few days have been slightly hectic. But now, I am back with another easy menu - Vegetarian Pinto Bean Quesadillas. It is wholesome and delicious with soft beans, crunchy vegetables and a cheesy goodness. Serve these quesadillas with sour cream and guacamole and everyone will be happy.

Pinto Beans:
Dry Pinto Beans - 1 cup
Red Chili Powder - 1 tsp
Garlic - 3 big cloves
Salt

Fajita Vegetables:
Mini Bell Peppers/Capsicum - 5
Onion - 1 medium
Taco Seasoning - 1 tsp
Black Pepper Powder - 1/2 tsp
Oil - 1 tbsp
Salt

Whole Wheat Tortillas
Grated Pepper Jack Cheese
Butter or Oil
Salsa
Guacamole
Sour Cream

How to make Vegetarian Pinto Bean Quesadillas:
Pinto Beans:

• Soak dry pinto beans in plenty of water overnight. Wash the soaked beans. 
• Heat about 5 cups of water in a big pot. Add the washed beans and cook it uncovered until beans turn soft. Keep stirring after every 5 - 10 minutes.  Add more water if required. 
• When beans turn soft, add salt, chili powder and finely chopped garlic. Bring it to a boil. Continue cooking until you get the desired consistency.

Fajita Vegetables: 

• Julienne slice yellow, orange, red bell peppers and onions. You can add other vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage as well. 
• Heat about 1 tbsp oil in a grill pan. Add the sliced vegetables to the sizzling hot pan. Cook the vegetables for about a minute or two. Based on how crunchy or soft you like your veggies, reduce or increase the cooking time.  Add salt, fresh ground black pepper, Taco seasoning and salt. Cook for few more seconds and transfer the veggies to a plate or a bowl.

Assembling Quesadillas:

• Heat a griddle/skillet for roasting the quesadillas. Grease the griddle with oil or butter.
• Place a tortilla on a big plate. Add all the toppings - grated cheese, cooked beans and grilled vegetables. Place another tortilla on top and slightly press it.  Roast both sides on the hot griddle until quesadillas turn slightly brown.
• Instead of 2 tortillas, you can use a single tortilla as shown in the above picture.
• Add the toppings on one half of the tortilla and fold it over.

Serve hot Pinto Bean Quesadillas with sour cream, salsa and guacamole.