Can you remember the first time you had a quesadilla?
My dad worked in Phoenix for a summer and the three of us girls were joining him for two months. My sister and I were on a flight from North Carolina to Arizona when I was in 5th grade. This was back in the days when airplanes served full meals on cross country flights. For free. With a warm towel. In coach.
We were given a fancy menu and some time to think about our lunch choice. We were decided with the description of “cheese stuffed into a tortilla.”
When the stewardess [called so in 1992] came to take our order, I proudly said that I would be having the kesa-dillia. She cleverly corrected me with the correct pronunciation by repeating my order, “Quesadilla, sure.”
And I’ve said it correctly ever since.
Tonight’s dinner was a classic kesa dillia – Whole Foods refried black beans heated in a pot with a diced green pepper and tons of Southwestern-spiced Garlic Gold, then slathered onto a whole wheat tortilla and sandwiched with slices of that Red Rock Cheddar Blue I used in my Wisconsin Cheese recipe this weekend. I used a little butter in my skillet to get it nice and golden brown.
‘Dillia condiments!
On the side – sautéed rainbow chard seasoned with more Garlic Gold and smoked paprika. I really don’t love chard…it’s just a bit slimy and almost fishy to me? But I like it every now and then as an alternative to spinach, kale, collards and the like.
Dinner table ambiance…
Every night we listen to Pandora on my phone for some tunes. This week, to Matt’s delight, it’s the holiday station! But our favorite is the Film Scores station when we spend dinner trying to guess-that-movie!
I worked at the bakery for a few hours this afternoon, including a meeting with our accountant and the new cappuccino muffins. [The muffin meeting was more fun ; )]
Finished The Hunger Games last night – GREAT book!! Then I watched the movie trailer – can’t wait!!! Book 2, here I come!
Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife says
I can NOT wait for the Hunger Games movie either–SOO excited!
I totally LOVE quesadillas–esp topped with Greek yogurt and lots of salsa and lettuce. Looks tasty!! Now I want some 😉
katie @KatieDid says
Slimy greens, including spinach I can’t do. I love lightly sauteed kale but that’s about it! And love the quad of dinner ambiance- Matt’s expression is too funny!
Ingunn says
Hah, my dad pronounced it like that the last time he was in the U.S. 😀
Even worse, my husband and I started pronouncing fajitas the Family Guy way (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axm__GqW5Mo) just for fun between the two of us, and after a while it became second nature to him and he actually pronounced it that way in a Mexican restaurant! I will never stop teasing him for that.
KathEats says
Hahaha. Love “Peta”
Roxanne says
That was funny! thanks for sharing, I don’t have a TV so I don’t get to watch anymore TV shows.
Shari says
My gosh, you’re so healthy.
I need a chocolate intervention at my house!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
Your dinner looks AMAZING! I can’t believe you remember your first ‘dilla! There’s no way I can remember mine…
Roxanne says
But Kelli H, hers was special! A kid, in a plane, with a menu, high up in the air, with a stewardess, yeah… it was an event for sure!
P.S. I don’t remember mine either, but it sure wasn’t in a plane!
Kelly @ Foodie Fiasco says
Congrats on finishing the Hunger Games! It’s great, a bit intense, but brilliant all the same. I think I’m going to copy this kesa dillia 😉 for dinner! Thanks!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
I think I was an adult before I had a quesadilla…either that or they weren’t memorable until Tony and I started making them. Theme sound and look amazing!
Kristen @ Change of Pace says
We eat quesadillas at least once a week. So good and you can pack them full of nutrients!
Grace says
I pronounced Quesidilla correctly until I saw Napoleon Dynamite… it’s been (dang) kesa-dilla ever since. I actually made one up last night for the first time but used roast eggplant, mozzarella, kale – it was tasty… but leaking eggplant juice. meh.
… and is that condiment ketchup???
KathEats says
Sriracha!!
Emily @ from my messy desk says
LOL I pronounce it like Napoleon Dynamite as well! It’s so much funnier – and I love the look on the waitresses face when I order it!
Julia H. @ The Petite Spiel says
Obsessed with The Hunger Games. OBSESSED. I started the series about a week ago and have already read the first two books–and it’s finals time at my college! I decided that I won’t let myself read the third one until I’m home for Christmas break, since all I want to do is just read those books (makes it hard to focus on studying)! I feel like I’m going through withdrawal, though!
Becca says
When I first started dating my beau, we were obsessed with finding the best kesa dillia in town. Seriously, for our first year of dating ALL we ordered in restaurants were kesa dillias in hopes of finding the best one. Good times.
Roxanne says
So… did you actually find it?
Becca says
Yes! …but that was so long ago I can’t even remember what constituted as the “perfect kesa dillia” for us! Doh.
Roxanne says
Well, at least you remember you did find it! Too bad you don’t remember where…
Jen says
I just made quesadillas the other night too, but with sweet potatoes, spinach and black beans. So good! my Grandma still calls them kesa dillas too 🙂
Mary Legare Whaley says
I love your dinner ambiance. =) Your phone music is awesome, and P.S.— if you want a fun holiday/Christmas station on Pandora, check out Los Straitjackets (holiday), they are awesome! It’s mostly traditional songs remixed as upbeat/instramental tunes. It makes for great background music. I played that station during my Christmas party last year. And I totally remember my first quesadilla! I was about 9 years old, maybe? We had a restaurant in Charleston called Arizona’s, it might be a small chain, I’m not sure. I was at a birthday party, and we all ordered unusual foods. I liked that quesadilla started with a “Q”, so I gave it a shot. It was so good! I think it was simple, just monterrey/cheddar and maybe some pico de gallo. Sour cream and salsa were on the side. It was glorious.
Jen says
Hubby was at a restaurant one time with some hockey friends and one of them ordered the “kwesa-dellas” – that’s what we call them now 🙂
Kaila @healthyhelperblog! says
I had a quesadilla at lunch! Gotta love that grilled crispy tortilla!
Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio says
I made my fiancee a quesadilla tonight too 🙂 I LOVE quesadillas, so great… and there isn’t anything better than refried beans imo.
Laura (Blogging Over Thyme) says
That’s how my grandmother (British) STILL pronounces quesadillas. She also pronounces fettucine, ‘FETTO-SEEN’ –its hysterical!
I love refried beans! My favorite brand by far is Bearitos–yum. I used to call them dippy beans as a kid and would make nachos and have them all the time.
kristen @ verbs and vignettes says
i was convinced that was steak when i was browsing the photos. now i’m jealous! and i adore the idea of you guys sitting your phone out on the table to provide dinner music. :p
Mindy says
Yum Kath. That kesa dillia looks delicious! The first time I had one was a to-go order from authentic Mexican restaurant. I was in the fifth grade and did the typical “I will get whatever she gets” kind of thing. I have loved them ever since especially with grilled chicken. Before that, my go to meal at a mexie restaurant was chicken fingers and fries. Such a ham.
Lisa (bakebikeblog) says
What lovely dinner ambiance indeed!
Gillian G. @ When Bread Is Broken says
Those truffles on OpenSky look insanely delicious – have you mentioned them before and I’m forgetting them? It’s so rare for me to forget anything chocolate…
KathEats says
They were here: https://www.katheats.com/homebody
And they are wonderful!
Susan H. @ the food allergy chronicles says
Crispy on the outside and creamy goodness on the inside…looks amazing!
Pat says
We had Pandora playing Christmas music while we put up our tree last night!
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
I love that you have Xmas tunes being played from Pandora from your iPhone. This is a FAR CRY from the xmas tunes that I listened to in my house growing up where I kid you not, were on vinyl, and they were old back then…like hand-me-down vinyl records from my grandparents to my parents. Wow..times have changed 🙂
Love the ‘writing’ on the pics. Beerverage. Love it.
Mel says
I can remember my first quesadilla. Or at least my first encounter with the concept. It was a
recipe from Gourmet online about a million years ago. Soft wheat tortillas crisped in a hot pan, layered with smoked turkey, jack cheese, green grapes (halved), fresh cilantro, and a generous shower of coarse salt and fresh lime juice. Incredible, simply-wrought combo of crispy-chewy/smoky-fresh/sweet-tart/salty-gooey.
kathleen @ the daily crumb says
mmmmm…. i love the dillas! the possibilities are endless, but black beans are always a component in mine. cheddar, spinach + black beans are a fave in this house.
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says
Ha, my uncle pronounces it the same way! He says it’s a regional thing but none of my other aunts and uncles say it like that, so we don’t know what his deal is 🙂
Karlee says
Looks delish! My brother and I were fans of the microwave ‘dillas as kids. We would put soo much cheese in the tortilla that is would spill out the sides all over the microwave.
You just made me want to buy some refried beans to go with eggs!
Jen says
Love that first photo shot – great focus and clarity.
Katie of Cabbage Ranch says
Wisconsin cheese! Woot! I’m a native cheesehead and I can’t get enough of the stuff. Btw, I picked up a quesadilla trick from America’s Test Kitchen, and it makes the BEST crispy outside! Brush the outside with a little olive oil (or melted butter) and sprinkle with a touch of salt. So perfect every time! Yum…
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
I can’t believe you can remember your first quesadilla experience! I have no clue when or where I was for mine but I had a cheese one for dinner tonight along with some soup 🙂
Stacy @ Say It With Sprinkles says
Can’t for the life of me remember when I first had a quesadilla, but I’m sure my mom made it! =)
[email protected] Grains of Paradise says
Wow I have no idea when I had my first quesadilla…but I’m from southern California so I’m sure it was as soon as I could eat solid food…way back in the mid 70s. Yikes!
Katie @ Peace Love and Oats says
How did you not have a quesadilla until 5th grade???? That’s a classic on kids menus!
KathEats says
How old are you and where do you live 🙂 I think in the 1990s in North Carolina we mostly had chicken tenders and grilled cheese on our kids’ menus
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
24 and from Kansas City, maybe it’s a midwestern/western thing?
Katie @ Peace Love and Oats says
24 and from Kansas City. Maybe it’s a Midwestern/western thing?
KathEats says
I think it was – since we were going to AZ. They hadn’t caught on yet. And I’m 5 years older than you so before the trend. I actually remember when BAGELS were unknown in the south. When I was in 3-4th grade my mom used to pack them in my lunchbox with cream cheese and they were so weird that I was embarrassed and told people it was a donut with frosting!!
Katie @ Peace Love and Oats says
Not donuts too!!! We went to Bagel and Bagel (now Einstein brothers) all the time growing up! Although when I went to college in Charleston, they just got an Einsteins on campus and no one had heard of it…
Jessica says
Who wants a neat and tidy pale white quesadilla???? I want a healthy and crispy golden crunch on my casing and melty goodness oozing out. Yes. This was executed well indeed. Looks amazing!
Khushboo says
Wow check out the cheese oozing out- looks delicious!
Christine @ Oatmeal in my Bowl says
I had a tostada with a side of chard. The chard was from my CSA shipment. Need to find a good way to cook it. In the meantime, I just sautéed it with some red pepper flakes, salt, and some evoo. was pretty tasty. Love Pandora’s Christmas tunes.
Christine @ Oatmeal in my Bowl says
I knew I was forgetting an ingredient and remembered it this morning – lemon, too. sauteed in evoo, sprinkled with red pepper flakes, salt, and a good squirt of lemon. 😉
Christine @ BookishlyB says
I just finished the third, Mockingjay. I just wrote a long diatribe on the whole series on my blog 🙂 Can you believe I haven’t even checked out the trailer yet? I guess I’m going to have to bite the bullet. Books –> movies scare me.
Lynn @ the actor's diet says
Believe my first one was at a Friendly’s?!? I miss that chain!
Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn says
Ahahaha what a cute font! I’m a fan of the haircut photo.
As for the quesadillas, yes. Tortilla stuffed with cheese. #basically
Blessing @ Working Mom Journal says
Oh my, that looks sumptuous. I might try it myself.
Mom says
I remember that flight! That’s when Laura accidently knocked a glass of orange juice on me, and I was sticky all the way to Arizona.
Roxanne says
You’re not supposed to remember that… LOL The good times, Mom, are for memories…
Mom says
Well it’s a pretty good memory… stickiness is part of motherhood!
KathEats says
Ha!
Hillary says
Refried bean quesadillas were my “specialty” in college. You just made the memories come flooding back!
Brittnie (A Joy Renewed) says
Love hearing your childhood stories. So fun!
I have been on a Pandora kick at night too. I really enjoy the Mariah Carey Christmas station right now. Yes that sounds nerdy but they play some great songs! I will have to check out the ones you suggested. Have a good one!
Lauren @ Oatmeal after Spinning says
I see someone mentioned it above- but I can’t say quesadilla the correct way every since seeing Napoleon Dynamite. I have to say “dang kesa-dilla.”
Unrelated- I stumbled upon the “Matt at Home” series of posts last night and LOVED them!! SO CUTE (especially his list of what he missed about you while you were gone. so sweet.)
Roxanne says
I’ll have to look those up!
Roxanne says
Read them all, they’re from 2009?
You’re going to have to go away again so we can have more of Matt’s chapters, especially the one where he gives the bears a ride down the stairs, hilarious!
KathEats says
LOVE Napoleon Dynamite!
Glad you liked Matt’s posts 🙂
elle @ nutritionella says
I never thought of making refried bean quesadillas! Great idea – looks so tasty!
Cait's Plate says
ahaha! I loved that story. I honestly can’t recall the first time I ever had one…but I DO know that yours right there looks way better than any I’ve ever had.
and yeah – remember when you’d get full meals on planes?! that you didn’t have to pay $8 for?? haha. my how times have changed…
LOVE that you listen to Christmas music on your phone during dinner – a girl after my own heart 😉
Clare @ SweetnSimple says
I’ve never tried quesadillas, you’ve made them look gourmet! Yumm.. will have to try 🙂
The Mrs @ Success Along the Weigh says
Oh my Lord that kesa-dillia looks SOOOO good! Mine look nothing like that but I’m going to work hard to make it look like yours!
Lauren says
We do the same thing with the dinner music. Lately its been Adele on Pandora (Toly LOVES her) but now I think it’s time to switch to the holiday station.
Rebecca @ Naturally Healthy and Gorgeous says
Those look great and such a quick, easy dinner!
Molly @ RDexposed says
I didn’t even get pretzels or peanuts when I flew around Thanksgiving time. I should have outraged like Alec Baldwin.
Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says
I love quesadillas! They are my go-to for when I don’t know what to make for dinner and I want something quick and delicious! 🙂 I have that same Sam Adams cup! I love it!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
Chard isn’t really my favourite green either, but maybe it’s just the recipes and cooking methods I’ve been using? I keep on hoping that one day I’ll cook it perfectly and all of a sudden realize how much I love it.
Meag says
i finished the book last week – book 2 is really good too 🙂
Katherine says
Aww, I’m jealous that you’re only on the second book. I get so sad when I finish all the books in a series that I loved. I’m seriously considering re-reading them even though I just finished up over the summer.
Jules @ La Petite Maison Verte says
Ooh that quesadilla looks good! My hubs and I have been listening to the Pandora Christmas music station during dinner too! We were into the Movie Scores station for a while after you posted about it but now it’s ALL christmas music ALL THE TIME 🙂
[email protected] Broken Cookies Don't Count says
I love quesadillas!! I just got a quesadilla maker and I’m looking forward to firing it up this weekend!
Allison O'Mara (A Girl in her kitchen) says
Mmm! I haven’t had quesadilla’s in forever! I might have to make a batch…
Lindsay says
My original favorite quesadillas were the veggie ones at Chili’s! They had cheese, onion, spinach and artichokes and I would dip in sour cream. YUM! I worked there for years through high school and summers in college, so I ate a lot of those 🙂
Angel7 says
Kesa dillias… Cute 🙂
I almost always have our house a glow with a great-smelling candle!
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Allison says
Holy guacamole- the overflowing black beans looks DELIC! I wish I was sitting at that table 😛 P.S. I love listening to Pandora on my phone but I’ve never used it during dinner- that’s a fabulous idea, especially so I can continue my Christmas music fix all day long!
~Christy @ wonderofallthings says
Quesadillas are my go-to…maybe what your oats are to you if you know what I mean. Love, love, LOVE them. One of my favorite ways to get my greens (I don’t really love to get my greens) is to load my ‘dilla with spinach, beans and cheese. BTW, I just graduated to an iPhone and have been Pandora-ing all day long…where has it been all my life?? Any favorite apps you’d care to share? Have a great afternoon 🙂
Hannah says
Quesadillas- yum!
I listen to “film scores” station on Pandora as well. It’s neat to hear them again since without the movie, I think they’re harder to guess!