A Southern Grace: terrible twos

January 28, 2016

terrible twos

Yum

Sometimes it's really hard to cook for only two people.


Although I've confessed my love for leftovers several times, I can't and won't deny that some dishes just don't reheat well. One of my favorite pork dishes of all time just so happens to fall into that category--it's AMAZING hot out of the oven, but rounds two and three just aren't nearly as appealing.

What's a gal to do when neither she nor her (MUCH less picky) partner don't really want leftovers as they are? Dress them up, of course! I took those remaining pieces of pork and shredded them up as much as I could (not a hard task!), then I combined the meat with some quick corn and black bean salsa, spread it out on a big tortilla, sprinkled the whole thing with lots of cheese, then finished with another tortilla on top.


When the quesadilla is a feasible option, leftovers quickly become rightovers.

Rosemary Pork Quesadillas
(printable recipe)
Serves 2
Ingredients:
Salsa:
  • 1 (15.5-ounce) can black beans, rinsed very well
  • 2 cups corn, frozen is fine
  • 1 (10-ounce) can Rotel tomatoes with chiles, drained
  • 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Quesadillas:Directions:
To make the salsa, simply combine all the ingredients in a bowl and stir well. While you don't need to make this in advance, it gets better after some time in the fridge.
Preheat a 10-inch cast iron skillet over high heat. Spread on a thin layer of oil, and place one tortilla on the skillet.
Layer on half of the meat, salsa, and cheese, then top with another tortilla. Brush on a thin layer of oil.
When the bottom tortilla becomes brown and crispy, carefully flip the quesadilla and brown the other side. I like to slide the whole thing onto a plate, then invert the cast iron skillet over it and flip--my wrist isn't quite strong enough to manhandle the cast iron the way I flick an omelet pan!
Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
Cut and serve with sour cream and sliced green onions.

13 comments:

Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl said...

I totally know what you mean and I love your title for it! I only cook for two so constantly I'm either trying to wing it with the ingredients for 2 or we're stuck for leftovers... or we just eat for 4!

Alicia Foodycat said...

I love quesadillas for leftovers. Somehow anything works in them!

Carolyn Jung said...

You can put anything in a tortilla. Or in an omelet. Or in fried rice. Or most times, in pasta. They are godsends when it comes to dealing with leftovers. ;)

Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies said...

I hear ya on cooking for 2.... Definitely a challenge. And, even more so when your other half doesn't love leftovers! Your quesadilla though? That would be loved by both of us.

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

Hehe it's a constant thing for us making enough for two. Sometimes I just make him eat double :P

Marcelle said...

I'm all about re-purposing leftovers too because we burn out big meals, like pot roast, after a few sittings too. Quesadillas are a perfect for that! This looks so good. Love your title for the post :)

Angie's Recipes said...

The bean salsa sounds just the right thing to pair with the leftover pork for this delicious quesadillas. Well done, Grace.

Marjie said...

After cooking for a dozen for years, even though it tapered down, I still have trouble cooking for "only" 4. Quesadillas are a great leftover fixer.

Beth said...

I love using leftovers and this recipe sounds like a perfect home for that pork.

Kate @ Framed Cooks said...

I am the same way when it comes to cooking for two, now that it is just me and the Southern husband in the house...love this recipe to add to my Dinner For Two list!

lisa is cooking said...

Perfect solution! Quesadillas are magic at making leftovers exciting again, and I bet the corn and black bean salsa is too.

Inger @ Art of Natural Living said...

Yes, I am starting to relearn that cooking for two art--though I need to go back and forth as kids come home for breaks, summer, etc. In the end though I think my husband eats for 3 (without gaining an ounce; it's so aggravating), so many time regular recipes work just fine ;-) I might want to create leftovers just to make this dish however!

Kate said...

I don't know, these quesadillas look so good, I would probably eat it all myself! :)