Go Back
5 from 23 votes
Vegetarian "Carnitas" Quesadilla

A delicious "meaty" quesadilla that uses oyster mushrooms and other delicious vegetables.

Course: Appetizer, main dish, Snack
Cuisine: dinner, lunch, vegan, Vegetarian
Keyword: feta, flour tortilla, oyster mushrooms, poblano, spinach, sun dried tomatoes
Servings: 4 quesadillas
Author: HelenFern
Ingredients
Marinade
  • 3 teaspoons dried marjoram
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons coriander seeds
  • 3 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons dried minced onion
  • 2 teaspoons dried minced garlic
  • 1 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
  • 2 Tablespoons worchestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons lemon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 pound whole oyster mushrooms
Quesadillas
  • 8 large flour tortillas
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 2 Tablespoons chopped poblano pepper
  • 6 oz. fresh spinach
  • 1-1/3 cup feta or cotija cheese (or a vegan substitute)
  • 1 cup chopped tomatoes
Mashed avocado
  • 1 large ripe avocado
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh lime juice
  • salt to taste
Garnishes
  • lime wedges
  • salsa
  • microgreens (optional)
Instructions
  1. Marinate the mushrooms in the morning.

  2. Mix all the marinade ingredients with a wire whisk. Place the whole mushrooms into the mixture making sure they are fully covered.

  3. Let them sit for at least 2 hours - up to 4 hours.

  4. Drain them then bake at 400 degrees for about an hour.

  5. Let them cool, then chop or shred them into small pieces.

  6. Ready to eat?

    Heat the olive oil and cook the onions and poblano until the onions become translucent and the peppers are soft.

  7. Add the spinach and cook until it's reduced and softened, but still bright green.

  8. Heat a heavy skillet or griddle.

  9. Lay half the tortillas on the hot surface and heat for about 2 minutes, then flip.

  10. Top with the cheese first, then all the vegetables, including the vegetarian "carnitas" (the mushrooms).

  11. Put the remaining tortillas on each one and heat until the cheese begins to melt and the bottom tortilla is lightly browned.

  12. Carefully turn the quesadilla and cook until the bottom is browned.

  13. Mash the avocado with the lime juice and add salt to taste.

  14. Remove from the heat and allow to rest about 2 minutes.

    Cut into quarters and serve hot with salsa, mashed avocado and microgreens. Delicious!

  15. Cut into quarters and serve hot with salsa, mashed avocado and microgreens.

Recipe Notes

 

© Copyright 2022 The Lazy Gastronome