When I was young, I used to play restaurant, a lot. I would take that box of Wheat Thins my mom bought as a snack to munch on throughout the week and use my grubby little fingers to place them as neatly as possible on a plate. Then, I would put on my chef hat and use my creative culinary skills; I would spread a thin layer of cream cheese on one section, lather butter on several others and keep the rest plain.
Of course, I also made a menu to go along with it. The menu included: plain crackers (1 cent), buttered (3 cents), or if you wanted to go all out: cream cheese (5 cents)- yup, that’ll cost you a pretty nickel.
My parents were my faithful customers. Whether it was 8 in the morning or served with a side of cream cheese finger-prints left throughout the kitchen, they were always happy to order off my menu and stuff themselves with buttered Wheat Thins.
My brother was my manger and his entrepreneurial mind was always telling me to increase the prices of this, and raise the demand for that. I, on the other hand, just wanted to make sure the customers were happy and fed.
It was fun. My brother still knows how to run a business. I still find my best payment in full stomachs.
It was also a great way to take simple ingredients and make them into a memorable meal.
While these Apple Brie Quesadillas aren’t written on a menu in crayon, they do take basic everyday ingredients and turn them into something special. Plus, using brie cheese and a maple-mustard drizzle make these simple ingredients feel all grown-up.
Apple Brie Quesadilla
Adapted from Food Network
Makes 3 quesadillas
Ingredients:
1 Granny Smith apple, thinly sliced
2 mushrooms, thinly sliced (optional)
4 tsp. olive oil
3 8-inch whole wheat tortillas
6 oz. brie cheese, sliced and rind removed
1 tbs. whole-grain mustard
1 tbs. maple syrup
1. Heat large skillet over medium-high heat. Add apple slices and mushrooms in 2 tsp. olive oil and cook until slightly tender, 3 to 4 minutes.
2. Fill half of each tortilla with apple and mushroom mixture. Evenly top with sliced brie cheese. Fold tortillas in half.
3. Heat remaining 2 tsp. oil in skillet over medium heat. Cook each tortilla separately about 2 minutes per side, until cheese in melted and tortilla is golden brown.
4. Meanwhile, mix the mustard and maple syrup in a small bowl. Drizzle over warm quesadillas. Serve and enjoy!
~What childhood games did you enjoy playing?
