It’s a South-of-the-Border Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Juju!

I was teaching a couple how to make this Mexican favorite and they were struggling to not screw up. It was apparent they were until I told them to relax, they were just making grilled cheese sandwiches. You could see the tension release! This is a great way to enjoy peppers from the garden or fresh from the farmers market.

I love this version, just poblano chilies and a few ingredients for maximum flavor.

Vary the chilies, you might want to stick with other milder spicy varieties; like banana or Anaheims. Chili heads can add hot sauce to their dips.

Sauté or Air Fry

RECIPE: Makes 6 large tortillas

• water – 1/2 cup 
• oil – 3 TBS, neutral or olive
• poblano chilies – 6 cups (1 LB.), seeded, diced
• garlic – 1 TBS, (3 cloves), minced
• cilantro – 1 cup, chopped 
• salt – 1 tsp 
• pepper – 1/4 tsp

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• additional oil to fry quesadillas
• flour tortillas – 6  large 
• Monterey Jack cheese – 3/4 pound, grated
• salsa, 6 TBS, green
• Serve with sour cream and more salsa as dip condiments

INSTRUCTIONS TO SKILLET SAUTÉ :

1. Heat water and oil in large skillet over medium heat along with the poblano chilies. Cover and cook until chilies are soft—stirring occasionally—about 8-10 minutes. Remove the lid and boil off the water.
2. Reduce heat to medium and add garlic; sauté 1 minute. Transfer mixture to medium bowl. Stir in cilantro, salt, and pepper.
3. Place 1/4 cup of chili mixture on one half of a whole tortilla, top with 1/4 cup of shredded cheese, and a TBS of salsa. Spread onto half the tortilla and fold in half. Repeat for remaining tortillas.
4. Heat some oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. Place 2 filled tortillas in the pan. Cook until bottoms are golden brown, about 3 minutes. Turn quesadillas and cook other side. Repeat for remaining quesadillas.

ABOVE: These quesadillas were left whole instead of folding.

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AIR FRYER DIRECTIONS:

Air frying produces excellent results. [I actually bought an air fryer after tasting a quesadilla at a party]. Here’s a link to a quesadilla air fryer party planner

• preheat the air fryer to 360º
• lightly spray oil onto both sides of the quesadilla
• air fry for 6-8 minutes, flipping them half way through
• Continue air frying until they turn crispy and golden

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BELOW: Prepare a spectacular folded quesadilla. This makes a great party bar. Everyone fixes their own and then use an air fryer. Jump to the quesadilla party here

©2025 B. Hettig