SPUR-OF-THE-MOMENT ESSENTIALS: PIZZA QUESADILLA

Steps:

• You will need a skillet to make these yummy pizzas. Although they could be made in an air fryer, or even baked, I have not tried those methods, yet.
• Best Cheeses for Pizza Before making any pizza, you need cheese, but not just any old cheese, it is essential to understand what makes a cheese a good cheese for pizza. It needs to have: • Good browning capability without burning. • Just the right melting structure that will melt smoothly, and still retain a certain thickness. • Stretchability that leaves those yummy strands clinging to the pizza as you pull away your slice. • Low fat content helps the cheese to achieve that perfect stretch and melt • Low moisture levels helps the cheese develop that awesome browning without burning With that said, these are some of my favorite cheeses to use when making pizzas: • Mozzarella • Provolone • Parmesan • Gouda • Goat • Gruyere • Ricotta One more thing, never buy pre-shredded cheese, they come with things like cellulose (that comes from trees). Either cut off slices of fresh cheese from a bloc or shred your own.
• Best Meats for a Pizza Lots of good stuff out there... here are a few of my favorites: Pepperoni Pepperoni is a good call on any pizza. To get rid of some the excess grease I usually put them between two paper towels and nuke them for about 20 seconds before tossing them on the pie. Soppressata Similar to pepperoni, with a deeper flavor. Sausage A good Italian sausage is best if crumbled and spread all over the pizza; although, I sometimes like it in chunks. Do not forget to precook and drain as much of the excess grease as possible. Bacon Precooked, diced, and crispy, bacon is always a good choice Prosciutto Thinly sliced and spread over the pizza like a comforting blanket... Yummy. Meatballs Placed on the pie whole or sliced up. Italian pork/beef meatballs are the way to go. Chicken Cooked and shredded chicken with some Italian spices, or how about some buffalo chicken, served with some ranch dressing as a dipping sauce... Do I have your attention?
• The Best Spices for Pizza Here are a few of the spices that I like: • oregano • basil (fresh) • dried onion flakes • garlic powder • thyme • fennel • paprika • ground black pepper
• Dipping Sauce If I am not dipping my pizza into homemade ranch dressing, then it will be a yummy tangy pizza (red) sauce. Check these two out: https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/salad/salad-other-salad/homemade-ranch-dressing-with-a-twist.html?r=3 https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/sauce-spread/other-sauce-spread/italian-essentials-awesome-pizza-sauce.html?r=1
• Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
• Add a tablespoon of butter to a skillet over medium heat. While the butter is melting, brush some mayo on one side of a tortilla. Add mayo-side down, then add the cheese and other good stuff. The mayo helps in the browning process, and adds rich/deep flavor.
• Brush some mayo on one side of another tortilla, and add to the top, mayo-side up.
• When browned, about 3 - 4 minutes, flip and brown the other side. Just look at that yummy melted cheese.
• FYI: The pizza quesadilla I photographed for this recipe was the one for my housekeeper... she just likes cheese. The rest of us are carnivores.
• PLATE/PRESENT
• Cut up and serve with your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy.
• Keep the faith, and keep cooking.