EASY Mexican appetizers: chorizo meatballs and quesadillas | Mexican food

chorizo

🥗Healthier: turkey chorizo

💰Cheaper: pork chorizo

Turkey chorizo is lower in fat and calories.

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground pork is often less expensive.

cheese

🥗Healthier: low-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Low-fat cheese reduces calories, while processed cheese can be cheaper.

Remove the crust from three slices of bread and dice into small cubes.

Pour in 3/4 cup of low sodium chicken broth and let it soak for 5 minutes.

Remove 1 pound of pork chorizo from its casing and break it apart.

Add in 1/2 pound of ground pork.

Add 1/2 finely diced white onion, 1/4 bunch of finely chopped cilantro, 1 teaspoon of ground garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of Mexican dry oregano.

Add the soaked bread to the mixture along with 2 eggs, salt, and ground black pepper.

Mix with a spatula, then with hands to combine well.

Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and use a scoop to portion out meatballs.

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Place the meatballs in the oven for baking.

In a saucepan, combine 3/4 cup of freshly squeezed orange juice, 1 teaspoon of ground chipotle, 3 tablespoons of sugar, and 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar. Bring to a gentle simmer until it thickens.

Turn on the broiler on high for the last 5 to 8 minutes of cooking to color the meatballs.

Transfer the cooked meatballs to a bowl, pour in the glaze, and toss to combine.

For quesadillas, mix 4 cups of cooked shredded chicken, 1 diced tomato, 1/2 diced onion, 1 teaspoon of ground ancho, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1/2 cup of sour cream, and 1/4 cup of mayonnaise.

Combine 12 oz of Oaxaca cheese with 8 oz of cheddar cheese.

Cut 12 flour tortillas in half and fill with cheese and the chicken mixture, rolling them into cones.

Arrange on a parchment-lined sheet pan and sprinkle cheese on top.

Preheat the oven to 375°F and bake until heated through and crispy, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens