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Tuesday, January 04, 2011

hickory smoked tuna quesadillas

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I know that I have shared a number of times how darn challenging it is for me to eat healthy while working at home all day. When I worked at a job I used to savor my lunch breaks- I even took my time and I always had something good to eat. But when I made the transition to working from home, somehow I stopped taking lunch breaks, I often forget to eat until I have the shakes and when I do eat, I am SO tempted to eat quick things (often while dashing through the kitchen) that do not count as a meal. I kid you not I could devour an entire jar of Claussen pickles for breakfast, a large bag of animal cookies for lunch... and snacks... don't even get me started on the temptation of snacking on anything and everything! The only way I can be healthy, keep up my energy and eat complete meals is by planning out my food for the week. A few months ago I came across this easy recipe for hickory smoked tuna quesadillas- I was thrilled to have another budget friendly and tasty meal to add to my weekly meal plan!


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Next to the cans of tuna you will find these little packets of Starkist seasoned tuna- now let me just say I am not a big tuna fan but these seasoned options are super yummy and don't have a very fishy taste. My favorite is the hickory smoked flavor- it actually tastes more like chicken and is low in calories (if you are counting).

On the back is a great recipe for quesadillas and is really easy to alter and prepare to your liking. Here is how I make mine-



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Just mix a little cream cheese with the packet of tuna (one packet typically makes me about three meals)


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I used about 1 1/2 heaping spoonfuls of cream cheese for the batch.


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I like to add chili pepper for a little heat and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Typically I add vegetables- like diced onions and red peppers but much to my dismay I completely forgot these two ingredients while grocery shopping.
You could really add just about anything- jalapenos, tomatoes, spinach, kale or any favorite vegis or keep it simple.


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I always use whole grain or multi grain tortillas- a healthier alternative to the white tortillas.


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Spread the tuna on one side


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and add your favorite kind of cheese to the top.


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Fold in half


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and cook in lightly greased pan. I use my favorite grill pan because I like how the grill marks look (I know- SILLY!) and my quesadillas seem to get a little crispier but a regular pan will work just as well.



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Cook for about 3 minutes on each side or until the cheese has melted and the outside is crispy- the crispier- the better! For an even healthier option you could bake it in the oven.


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Let cool just a little.


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Cut into slices.


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I like to make a simple dip with a little light sour cream, hot chili sauce and a tiny bit of lime juice.


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Mix together and serve on the side.


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I always eat my quesadillas with a little side of greens or a salad.

This meal never fails to fill me up and gives me enough energy to get through hours of work and even exercise at the end of the day!

16 comments:

  1. These sound yummy!! Thanks for sharing the recipe.

    Ruth

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  2. Good idea, Alisa. I work at my home office too, and if I don't set myself regular meal- and snack-times, I pay for it later. But I do get bored with food, so I thank you heartily for this suggestion ... I have quite a few tins of tuna in my cupboard but never thought of making a quesadilla with them.

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  3. Thanks for sharing this yummy dish you prepare. I wouldn't have thought of cream cheese but I love it! I also just bought that exact hot sauce. Here's to a healthy 2011...

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  4. KittyJ4:05 PM

    Oh no - now I'm really hungry! Looks fantastic! Off to make dinner!

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  5. your photos are so beautiful. it's obvious that you are an artist everywhere, even in the kitchen.

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  6. paylaşımlarınız çok güzel banada beklerim SELAMETLE...

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  7. Thanks for sharing, this looks good! I'll have to try it out. Laura

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  8. Anonymous7:42 PM

    Looks good. I'm not sure why you think it would be even healthier made in the oven, though; it's not as though you were deep frying it in the grill pan. And if the light greasing is with oil, that is perfectly healthy as well.

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  9. Thanks for sharing this recipe. seems to be very tasty. Will definitely try it. Thanks

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  10. Thanks Alisa, I am going to try it tommorrow. Excellent recipe

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  11. i made this for me and my bf last night ... it was so quick and yummy! couldn't find hickory smoked tuna, substituted it with sweet & spicy. i don't usually make recipes more than once, but this will definitely be on repeat!

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  12. jabbott11:09 AM

    looks yummy.

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  13. I so relate to what you are saying about working and not eating properly. Thanks for the receipe. It sounds really great. got that tuna on the grocery list.

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  14. Thanks for the recipe- sounds delish! I would have never thought to use cream cheese but now I can't wait to try it.

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  15. That is my favorite hot sauce!!

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