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Quesadillas are Ready in Short Order

Most kids like quesadillas, the Mexican version of a grilled cheese sandwich. For the grown-ups, cheese is used sparingly, just enough to keep the roasted red peppers, green onions, and jalapenos together inside. The nonfat chipotle sour cream is the perfect accompaniment to these tasty morsels. For the kids, the cheese quesadillas are served as is or with a mild salsa according to their taste. Serve a fresh fruit or vegetable platter to complete the meal.

Roasted Red Pepper and Jack Quesadillas
Time to table: 20 minutes
Serves 2 adults and 2 children

8 98% fat-free 8-inch flour tortillas
1 3/4 cups shredded reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese (7 ounces)

GROWN-UPS
1/2 of a 7.25-ounce jar roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
1-2 green onions, rinsed and sliced thin
4-6 canned or jarred jalapeno peppers, chopped

CHILDREN
Optional: 1/4 cup tomato salsa

Heat a large nonstick griddle or skillet over moderately high heat. For the grown-ups, spread 1/3 cup of cheese on 2 of the tortillas. Scatter the red peppers, green onions and jalapeno peppers over the cheese.

Place on the griddle and top with another tortilla. Cook until the bottom is lightly browned and the cheese has melted, about 2 minutes. Carefully flip the tortillas over. Brown the other side for a minute or more. Transfer to dinner plates and keep warm in the oven.

Make the quesadillas for the children using the remaining cheese. Cut the quesadillas into quarters. Serve the quesadillas for the grown-ups with Chipotle Sour Cream and the quesadillas for the children with salsa.

GROWN-UPS
Calories 250; Calories from fat 80; Total fat 8g; Saturated fat 4.5g
Cholesterol 25mg; Sodium 670mg; Carbohydrate 26g; Dietary fiber 3g; Sugars 2g; Protein 17g

CHILDREN
Calories 280; Calories from fat 100; Total fat 11g; Saturated fat 6g
Cholesterol 30mg; Sodium 700mg; Carbohydrate 25g; Dietary fiber 3g; Sugars 2g; Protein 21g

Chipotle Sour Cream
Time to table: 8 minutes
Serves 2 adults and 2 children

1 8-ounce container fat-free sour cream
2 canned chipotle chiles, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
1-2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Salt and black pepper to taste

Mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl.

Calories 35; Calories from fat 0; Total fat 0g; Saturated fat 0g; Cholesterol 5mg; Sodium 225mg; Carbohydrate 6g; Dietary fiber 2g; Sugars 2g; Protein 2g.

Kristene Fortier, author of The Whole Family Cookbook lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family. Send questions or tips to pickykids@aol.com and while online visit www.healthykitchen.com. Save 20% on your copy of The Whole Family Cookbook: Two-Tiered Meals to Please Both Parents and Kids, by Kristene Fortier, ($14.95 Birch Lane Press) by calling 800-857-5600. You must request the discount when orders are placed.