Recipe: Apple Arugula Quesadilla

Quesadillas are all about soft, yummy cheese. This one adds some surprises with creative vegetarian quesadilla fillings.

There are a lot of quesadilla filling ideas out there, but this apple arugula quesadilla is one of the most unique. This easy-to-make quesadilla uses low-fat mozzarella cheese rather than the usual cheddar, Monterey Jack or Mexican-blend cheese. Adapted from one by Quality Greens Farm Market, the recipe adds apple and the peppery bite of fresh arugula to create an unusual flavor, but with the rich, comforting texture of a classic quesadilla.

These healthy quesadilla fillings can be prepared in a few minutes. Sneak in extra chopped or shredded vegetables (such as carrots, tomatoes or zucchini) or low-sodium beans to add even more nutrition to this easy lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons apple cider
Cooking spray
3 (10-inch) whole-wheat flour tortillas
6 ounces low-fat mozzarella cheese
1 apple, cored and cut into 1/4-inch slices
3/4 teaspoons ground black pepper
3 cups arugula

Instructions

Combine mustard and cider in a small bowl. Stir. Spray a nonstick skillet with cooking spray and set at medium heat. Place one tortilla in the skillet.

Spread about 1-1/2 teaspoons of the mustard mixture onto the whole tortilla and add cheese over half the tortilla. Cook until cheese begins to melt.

Add apple slices and 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper to cheese. Top with 1 cup arugula.

Fold tortilla in half and press with a spatula. Cook until golden brown on each side. Repeat steps 1-5 two more times.

Cut each quesadilla into four wedges.