STRAWBERRY+LEEK QUESADILLAS.
Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 12:43PM 
One of my very best girlfriends from college has a personal blog where she includes little ramblings of her life, a picture every now and then or a sweet thought. Kristine is my kindred spirit as far as communication goes. Both of us mildly moody, vulnerable talkers, easy tears - she's the best kind of friend to have when you need to process life with someone. She posted a rhetorical question asking "what will be the tone of your life?". A melody, as she calls it, made up of words, conversations and attitudes. I tried to think of mine, and came up with a list of a few things I wanted it to be, but couldn't settle on one word that would qualify as my aspired tone. You don't often think of yourself in the form of complimentary adjectives, but this question isn't about patting yourself on the back, as it is setting a thesis for the rest of your story.
Are you ready for my utterly general response? Loveliness. To be enjoyable, delightful, gracious, to inspire and be full of love. I'm excited by sending notes, nurturing, doing favors, feeding people, listening, and want to do more of it. Love. Maybe it's too big or too vague of a word to throw out as one's tone, but it makes sense to me right now.
As we stayed up late last night talking about this, I asked Hugh what he thought my tone would be, and he named it... and when I explained how I thought his tone was 'intention', complimenting the purpose with which he does things, he said I was close, "I want my tone to be, BE AWESOME. It's the same as intention, but in Hugh language." Can't say I'm surprised. Always dependable to lighten the mood.
May that encourage you to give this some thought. It doesn't have to be a heavy question, you can just want to be awesome, but it's important to boil the big things down every now and then. It may be an endless endeavor, but a little perspective is always welcome.
This is hardly a recipe, but I wanted to give some ballpark measurements and hints for those who want them. Pick up the most fragrant basket of strawberries, deep red right up to the stem. Then add sauteed leeks with their subtle onion flavor, all held together by the creamy tartness from the goat cheese. It's a ten minute snack of pure LOVELINESS.
STRAWBERRY + LEEK QUESADILLAS
Makes 1
1 Leek
2 tsp. Coconut Oil/Olive Oil
2 Brown Rice Tortillas
1/3 Cup Soft Goats Cheese
1/3 Cup Grated Mozzarella
Thinly Sliced Strawberries
Fresh Ground Pepper
Cilantro
1. Remove the tough, dark green top of the leek, to use only the white and light green parts. Slice the leek in half length wise and clean out any dirt. Slice thin.
2. Heat 1 tsp of the oil in a large pan and saute the leeks with a pinch of salt for about 10 minutes until softened and just browning in parts. Transfer to a bowl.
3. Over medium high heat, warm the remaining tsp. of oil and lay down one of the tortillas. Use your discretion as far as filling amounts. All across the tortilla, sprinkle half of both cheeses, desired amount of the sauteed leeks, strawberries, a sprinkle of pepper and the rest of the cheese. Cover with the other tortilla and cook about 2 minutes until the bottom is browned, flip the quesadilla and cook 2-3 minutes on the other side. Slice and sprinkle some cilantro if you'd like.
P.S. One of our advertisers, Maggie of Eat Boutique, is offering $10 off to Sprouted Kitchen readers for Mothers Day gift boxes! Click to her page on the sidebar and use the code word SPROUT !
Reader Comments (94)
So totally stunning. I'm sold!
Lately, I've been stumbling upon posts that seem as if they were perfectly written for me. This is certainly one of them. I have been thinking about my "complimentary adjectives" a lot lately. Being lovely (often) is something I think we all could aspire to.
Thank you for the inspiration and gorgeous, gooey recipe!
First of all, what a fabulous commentary on your tone. Loveliness is such a...lovely word! Also, that quesadilla is incredible. What fresh ingredients! Definitely a must-try...
This sounds fantastic! I love strawberries and leeks, not had them together...yet. ;)
CONGRATS ON BEING NOMINATED ON SAVEUR! SO EXCITED TO SEE YOU THERE!
Your "loveliness" comes through in your blog. A wonderful way to lead a life.
I admit that I never would have considered putting strawberries together with leeks, but now that you mention it, it truly does sound lovely.
I have 3 leeks from last weeks veg box that still need to be used. Thank you for the recipe! 1 leek down, 2 to go.
so simple...and yet, really, it is loveliness. looks like a perfect spring snack.
Great way to use leeks while they are in season! I bet a balsamic reduction would be amazing drizzled over this!
So nice to have that kind of friend to talk with (and husband too, don't want to leave out Hugh!) What a great combination of flavors! It inspired me to put some strawberries in a salad yesterday. So tasty!
I love how delightful, perfect and simple this is. Lovely combo of fresh, spring flavors :)
BTW: BIG congrats on the Saveur nomination :)
This is an interesting combination. I love all of the ingredients in this recipe, but never thought to put them together. I am very intrigued and definitely need to try this out.
Your posts are always such a breath of fresh air. I don't often comment -- maybe never have -- but always, always appreciate what you create here. The quesadilla is something I'd love to sample :)
YUMMM!!!!!!! Love everything about this!!!
You're SO right about the strawberries needing to be "deep red right up to the stem". I sat down to read this post with an avocado sandwich and a pile of strawberries. As soon as I read that line, I peeked under the leaves and lo, not red up to the stem. And then I knew. I knew that they wouldn't be quite so delicious. And that is why you're nominated on Saveur for Best Cooking Blog -- congratulations!
You two are the most amazing bloggers ive ever seen. It is an honor to read your blog. I really hope i get the chance to create something that will make people enjoy my work as much as i enjoy yours. Thnx a lot! Best regards, Niki
Wow! I have just discovered you from greenkitchenstories and I am blown away by your creativity - and photography. I have just stuck my big toe into food blogging - from a cancer nutrition angle - and your recipes are beautiful and inspiring. Thank you for sharing.
WOW! This looks amazing! What a unique and delicious flavor combination!
[...] Strawberry and Leek Quesadillas by Sprouted Kitchen [...]
This is by far the most interesting recipe for quesadillas that I have ever seen! I can't wait to try it out~ I love interesting and unusual recipes. Thank you so much :)
Interesting flavor combinations. I would never have thought to put those ingredients together - or that they would work. You hve piqued my curiousity!
Oh my god - this looks amazing! Thank you! This looks like it tastes like spring..
I am so making these, I am a big fan of strawberries in salads so these sound amazing!
[...] spread greek yogurt on my toast and am aware these habits aren’t normal. Like last weeks quesadilla, it raised a few eyebrows, but some of you made it and liked it! Thanks for not making me feel [...]
Anything with strawberries in has to be good! I made these admittedly a bit skeptically, but was pleasantly surprised at the yumminess!! I used wholemeal Lebanese bread instead of the tortilla and it added a nice crunchiness you don't get from the tortilla. The only bad thing is that strawberries are out of season here and can cost up to $10 a punnet!!!
Hey Sara,
I must admit I kinda of cringed when I saw this recipe. But the more I read and the more I thought about it, the more I came around. Leeks, Cheese, Strawberries and Brown Rice Tortillas, what's not to like. I might try this.
this look delicious! can't wait to try it out : )
[...] also enjoyed a dinner of strawberry and leek quesadillas as inspired by Sprouted Kitchen, with a side salad of swiss chard and kale and all kinds of other [...]
We cooked this tonight and LOVED it! Will definitely have to try it again before strawberry season is over.
Sara - Loveliness an excellent thing to seek to be in the world. Something tells me you could also be good at finding the loveliness in others, even when they don't feel it. Perhaps that goes for food, too (thinking of the above post)!
My question is: How do you feel about havarti going in for goat cheese? I just lost my job and am trying to keep things inexpensive but lush. :) Do you think a creamy havarti would complement the strawberries? Too powerful? Too plain?
[...] Strawberry + Leek Quesadillas from Sprouted Kitchen [...]
very good recipe. The leeks went really good with the Strawberries. I never thought the two would go together so well but it was a perfect made. With the creaminess of the goat cheese made this a perfect dish. Well done
I just made these quesadillas. AMAZING!! Even my meat loving husband likes them. Thanks for your fabulous recipes (and photos)!!
[...] fact, I’m on a bit of a quesadilla kick right now. I also tried these Strawberry and Leek Quesadillas and loved them. So, if you’re not a mango/avocado fan, give these ones a try [...]
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just tried this with strawberries, fromager d'affinois and avocado, plus some sprouts and baby spinach for greens, twas delicious! thankyou!
[...] that spirit, I recommend you check out Sara’s recipe for these quesadillas here. Happy cooking, and happy [...]
So good. Made this tonight with herb goat cheese, some added rosemary, a ton of cilantro and side of asparagus with lemon zest. You make me look good in front of my boyfriend.
[...] from Smitten Kitchen Nibby Buckwheat Butter Cookies from 101 Cookbooks (OMG, these are REdiculous!) Strawberry & Leek Quesadillas from Sprouted [...]
[...] together quickly. So far, I have a few go-to recipes for quick healthy, weekday lunches. Strawberry+Leek Quesadilla (Sprouted Kitchen) Seared Scallops & Grapefruit Salad (Skinny Taste) Roasted Mushrooms and [...]
What an interesting combination of ingredients. I grew up on quesadillas, but with homemade flour tortillas and usually queso oaxaca and queso fresco. There was always some kind of chile involved; either poblano or chile verde. Then, you have a bowl of homemade pinto beans mixed with warm red chiles and spices to dip your quesadilla in.
Strawberries and leeks would be a challenge, but I accept! I would love to try this and re-discover an old favorite in a new way. I'm not a fan of goat cheese, in fact, it's one of the few foods that I really dislike. Do you recommend any other kind of cheese that will pair well with this recipe?
Thanks a bunch, loving your blog!
Wow! I love savory strawberry recipes, but this is hands-down the coolest one I've seen. Looks absolutely delicious, and I'm delighted to say that I have all of the ingredients in my fridge this very minute. Sounds like dinner tonight...
I wrote a compilation post featuring my favorite strawberry recipes (http://bit.ly/Kx5aYE), and I sure did include this beauty. Thanks!
I was flipping through your cookbook the other day & loved spotting this recipe! We must have kindred spirits because a year or so ago I randomly combined almost these exact same flavors! I made a quinoa salad with sauteed leeks, strawberries, goat cheese, and fava beans- just off a whim/what looked good at the store. The flavor combo is perfect! Can't wait to celebrate strawberries and try the combo in your quesadilla :) Thanks for the recipe!