Spicy Chicken Eggplant And Red Onion Quesadillas Recipes

SPICY CHICKEN, EGGPLANT, AND CARAMELIZED ONION QUESADILLA, SERVED WITH MIXED TOMATO RELISH

Steps:

• In a blender, combine the marinade ingredients and blend until smooth. Place the chicken in a medium bowl, pour the marinade over it, cover, and refrigerate for 4 hours.
• Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook until soft and caramelized, about 20 to 25 minutes. Add the balsamic vinegar and cilantro and cook for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
• Preheat grill pan. Brush eggplant with oil on both sides and season with salt and pepper to taste. Grill for 2 minutes on each side. Remove and coarsely chop.
• Preheat grill pan over high heat. Remove chicken from marinade and season with salt and pepper to taste. Grill for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until cooked through. Let rest for 5 minutes and slice thinly on the bias. Set aside.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• Place 6 tortillas on a large un-greased baking sheet. Divide the cheese, chicken, onions, and eggplant among the 6 tortillas and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Stack the tortillas to make three 2 layer tortillas and top with the remaining 3 tortillas. Brush the tops with olive oil and sprinkle with ancho chile powder. Bake for 8 to 12 minutes, or until the tortillas are slightly crisp and the cheese has melted. Cut into quarters and garnish with the Mixed Tomato Salsa.
• Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Yield: 8 servings

SPICY CHICKEN, EGGPLANT AND RED ONION QUESADILLAS

Steps:

• Combine 1/4 cup water, cilantro, sliced jalapeño, lime juice and olive oil in blender. Blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Place chicken in shallow baking dish. Pour marinade over, coating completely. Cover and refrigerate 4 hours.
• Preheat broiler. Remove chicken from marinade; discard marinade. Broil chicken until cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Set chicken aside. Lightly brush both sides of onion and eggplant slices with vegetable oil. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. Broil vegetables until tender and golden, about 2 minutes per side.
• Preheat oven to 450°F. Lightly brush 4 tortillas with vegetable oil. Place tortillas, oil side down, on baking sheet. Combine grated Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses in small bowl. Sprinkle 1/4 cup cheese mixture over each tortilla. Place chicken atop cheese, dividing equally. Place 1 onion slice and 1 eggplant slice atop each. Top each eggplant slice with 1 tortilla. Lightly brush tops of tortillas with oil. (Can be prepared 6 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Bake quesadillas until tortillas are slightly crisp and cheese melts, about 10 minutes. Cut quesadillas into quarters. Serve with sour cream.