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Steak Quesadilla
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Spread the paste over both sides of the steak and let marinate in the refrigerator for 6 hours.
Cut the potato into very thin rounds.
Pour butter over potato slices and toss.
Arrange half the potatoes, flower fashion, in the skillet.
Carefully flip the potato galette onto a plate.

Steak Quesadilla

Serves 2

I love homemade tortillas, but find the commercial ones sometimes unreliable. So I decided to replace the tortillas with potato slices in this quesadilla and I think the end result is even tastier. Don’t be frightened! This looks like a complicated dish but is really quite easy if you follow the recipe.

Ingredients

Ancho Chili Paste:

  • 2 ounces dried ancho chilies
  • 1/2 cup garlic cloves
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 cup cilantro leaves
  • 3 large (3 ounces) green onions, coarsely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • Juice of 1 lime

  • 1 8-ounce New York Strip steak

Salsa:

  • 1 medium tomato, peeled, seeded, and chopped
  • 1/2 jalapeño pepper, cored, seeded, and chopped
  • 2 tablespoons chopped onion
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro leaves
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt
  • Freshly ground pepper

Sour Cream Cilantro Sauce:

  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup cilantro leaves
  • Juice of 1/2 lime
  • Salt
  • Freshly ground white pepper

Quesadilla:

  • 1 large baking potato, peeled and cut into very thin rounds
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • Salt
  • 2 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 ounce fresh goat cheese
  • 1 cup mixed salad greens
  • Sprigs of cilantro for garnish
Method
  1. Prepare the ancho chili paste: Wash the ancho chilies and soften in warm water. Cut in half, stem, and seed. In a blender, combine the chilies with the remaining ingredients and puree.
  2. Spread some of the paste over both sides of the steak and let marinate, refrigerated, at least six hours. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate, covered, until needed.
  3. Prepare the sauce: In a blender, combine sour cream, the cilantro, and lime juice, and blend until smooth. Pour into a small bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate, covered, until needed.
  4. Preheat the oven to 450° F.
  5. Prepare the quesadilla: Place the potato slices in a medium bowl, pour the clarified butter over, and toss to coat the slices. Season lightly with salt. Arrange half the potatoes, flower fashion, in an 8-inch ovenproof skillet. Cook over medium heat until the ends begin to brown and the potatoes stick together. (This will keep the cheese from running through.) Sprinkle with the two cheeses and cover with the remaining potatoes, arranged the same way as the bottom layer. Set in the oven for 10 minutes, carefully flip the potatoes with a wide spatula and brown on a medium-high flame. Return to the oven for 5 minutes longer. Cut into 4 quarters and keep warm.
  6. Prepare the salsa: In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients.
  7. Grill or pan fry the steak to desired degree of doneness. Cut into 6 or 8 slices.
Presentation

Spread a layer of greens down the center of each of two plates and top with the salsa. Arrange 3 or 4 slices of steak on the salsa and spoon some of the sour cream cilantro sauce over the steak. Place 2 quarters of the quesadilla on either side and garnish the plate with sprigs of cilantro. Serve immediately.

Wine Recommendation:

I don’t know if you’ve tried any of the red wines from Chile or Argentina that are to be found in most wine shops nowadays, but some of the Merlots and Cabernet Sauvignons coming from South America are incredible bargains. Look for Bodega Weinert and Catena from Argentina, and Concho y Toro and Casa Laspostolle from Chile.