Description
Ina Garten crafts her delightful Smoked Salmon Quesadillas with elegant simplicity. Creamy cream cheese, dill, and rich salmon create a luxurious blend that invites you to savor each crisp, delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 oz (170 g) cream cheese, at room temperature
- 6 (8-inch or 20 cm) flour tortillas
- 3 oz (85 g) thinly sliced smoked salmon, chopped
- 3 oz (85 g) grated Monterey Jack or yellow Cheddar cheese
- 8 tbsps (115 g) unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup (180 g) sour cream
- ½ cup (50 g) chopped scallions (white and green parts from 2 scallions)
- 2 tbsps (6 g) minced fresh dill (plus extra for serving)
- 1 tsp lime zest, finely grated
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 to 3 oz (55 to 85 g) salmon roe (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Filling: Combine cream cheese, scallions, smoked salmon, dill, aged cheese, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl until thoroughly blended and smooth.
- Assemble Quesadillas: Layer tortillas with the salmon-cheese mixture, carefully covering each tortilla from edge to edge, then top with additional tortillas to create a sealed sandwich.
- Craft Accompaniment: Whisk sour cream with lime zest to create a zesty dipping sauce, setting aside until serving.
- Cook Quesadillas: Brush quesadillas with melted butter and grill in a preheated 10-inch sauté pan over medium heat. Cook each side for approximately 2 minutes, rotating when golden-brown edges appear and surface becomes slightly blistered.
- Finish and Serve: Transfer cooked quesadillas to a cutting board, slice into triangular wedges, and plate alongside lime-zest sour cream and optional salmon roe garnish.
Notes
- Chill Cream Cheese: Soften cream cheese at room temperature for 30 minutes for smoother, easier mixing and better flavor incorporation.
- Butter Coverage: Ensure even, thin butter layer for consistent golden-brown crispiness without greasiness.
- Pan Temperature Control: Maintain medium heat to prevent burning and achieve perfect golden-crisp exterior without undercooking interior.
- Salmon Selection: Choose high-quality, fresh smoked salmon for optimal taste and texture in the quesadilla filling.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg