Sweet and Spicy Mango Quesadilla

April 14, 2009

Yesterday I mentioned a certain class in grad school which always brings back memories of my initial interest in the mango. It just so happened that in this same class there was also a woman whose family owned a restaurant in a nearby town.
 
We would often get into class conversations about food while waiting for the instructor to show up and my ears always perked up when she started talking. For me, owns restaurant translates to – has some great food ideas and recipes.
 
As we were nearing the end of the semester and summer around the corner she mentioned her favorite snack to make was a mango, jalapeno quesadilla. I was intrigued from the moment I heard those words. There is no better combination for me than that of sweet and spicy. Add some warm, gooey cheese to that and the dish is nearing perfection.
 
I have kept that combo in my mind for what seems like years and I finally got around to giving it a try.
 
Wow! What an amazing creation!
 
The sweet mango cools the flavorful heat of the jalapenos. The salty cheese balances out the flavors. The slightly toasted tortilla only adds to the complex texture.
I used a cheese here that is very similar to a Colby back home. I could definitely see Cheddar working well or if you like even more heat maybe a Pepper Jack.
 
Sweet and Spicy Mango Quesadilla
Large flour tortilla
1/2 cup mango, sliced or diced
1/4 cup cheese
Jalapenos, sliced or diced (from the jar, but fresh could work too)
Place tortilla in a warm skillet (use a little butter if desired) and top with ingredients. Fold in half and toast on each side until slightly browned and cheese is melted.
 

You Might Also Like

  • VeggieGirl April 14, 2009 at 5:15 am

    Mango & jalapeño, eh?? As a lover of all things spicy, I’m quite intrigued by that combination – yum!!

  • itsawrapteacher April 14, 2009 at 5:19 am

    I have tried this combo before too but with tuna! I loved it πŸ™‚

  • Alison April 14, 2009 at 5:22 am

    wow…that looks wonderful. and simple. I bet pickled banana peppers might work well with it too.

  • Mindy April 14, 2009 at 5:23 am

    Definitely trying this when I get back to the States and tortillas and jack cheese! Sounds great…

  • Erica April 14, 2009 at 5:40 am

    hm- I would have never put cheese and mango together! I bet its a really tasty combo though with the heat from the jalapeno!

  • Sarah Herman April 14, 2009 at 6:05 am

    This sounds like a very intriguing combination! I just may have to try this!!!

  • kat April 14, 2009 at 6:20 am

    Oh I bet that was fantastic, salty cheese, sweet fruit & spice peppers, yum!

  • laura April 14, 2009 at 6:52 am

    It is not yet 8 o’clock in the morning here and these photos have me absolutely craving quesadillas πŸ™‚

  • cathy April 14, 2009 at 7:18 am

    Mango quesadillas? Who would have thought! Must try this now!

  • Heather April 14, 2009 at 9:03 am

    ohhh. nick and i make something like this with black beans, too. it’s so yummy! i am loving mango week πŸ™‚

    i don’t know if it’s just me, but sometimes college days food just tastes better. i think it was that wonderful lack of responsibility i had back then!

  • vincent April 14, 2009 at 10:07 am

    Hello,

    We bumped into your blog and we really liked it – great recipes YUM!!! YUM!!!.
    We would like to add it to the Petitchef.com.

    We would be delighted if you could add your blog to Petitchef so that our users can, as us,
    enjoy your recipes.

    Petitchef is a french based Cooking recipes Portal. Several hundred Blogs are already members
    and benefit from their exposure on Petitchef.com.

    To add your site to the Petitchef family you can use http://en.petitchef.com/?obj=front&action=site_ajout_form or just go to Petitchef.com and click on “Add your site”

    Best regards,

    Vincent
    petitchef.com

  • Ricki April 14, 2009 at 10:28 am

    This sounds awesome! And so simple–the combo of sweet mango and jalapeno, I’m sure, is fantastic. Bring on summer!

  • Lori April 14, 2009 at 11:20 am

    VeggieGirl – Definitely for the spicy lover!

    itsawrapteacher – Hmmm… canned tuna or the fresh fish? I could definitely experiement with the fresh fish. I love that stuff.

    Alison – That crossed my mind too. That would probably be a good option for those who don’t want it quite so spicy.

    Mindy – Oh how I miss tortillas. I brought some back in my suitcase on my last trip from the US. They are gone now though. πŸ™

    Erica – Yeah, I know. Cheese and mango don’t really seem like a combo meant to be. I was surprised how tasty it is.

    Sarah – Try it for sure. I love it!

    kat – Yeah, it kinds of pulls all the best flavors together in one bite.

    laura – Darn food blogs! Happens to me all the time. πŸ™‚

    cathy – I was so intrigued when she told us about it. It is a winner for sure.

    Heather – Oooh! Black beans would be great with it. Yeah, I definitely think it was the blissful lack of responsibility. Ha, ha!

    Ricki – The simplicity is definitely the best part. It is such a flavorful combo.

  • 5 Star Foodie April 14, 2009 at 1:19 pm

    Wow, that does sound absolutely amazing! I just got some mangoes and will definitely be trying this quesadillas. I love your mango week and looking forward to more recipes! My daughter just recently announced that mango is her favorite fruit!

  • Sweta April 14, 2009 at 2:25 pm

    All I can say is WOW!!Mangoes have always been my fave fruit.In India,we used to eat not less than 4/day(per person),during the mango season and then top it with various kinds of dishes-jams,pickles,ice creams,curry’s,etc.The ones you get in India are a class apart-you have to try the Alphonso(aapus) mangoes-they are to die for!!

  • lesley April 14, 2009 at 2:35 pm

    I’m definitely a fan of sweet and spicy … that sounds wonderful together!!

  • Michelle @ Find Your Balance Health April 14, 2009 at 4:03 pm

    Whoa, very cool combo. My husband would love this! You must have the bet mangoes down there πŸ™‚

  • Hayley April 14, 2009 at 5:36 pm

    I love fruit and cheese, and this combo sounds great. Thanks for sharing!

  • Dietitian for Hire April 14, 2009 at 6:27 pm

    yummy

  • Erin April 14, 2009 at 6:28 pm

    Interesting…

    I’m on the fence right now. Lemme think it over and get back to you.

    LOL, πŸ™‚

    It def looks pretty!

  • Reeniβ™₯ April 14, 2009 at 6:52 pm

    What a unique combination! I bet it’s delicious!

  • Tangled Noodle April 14, 2009 at 8:59 pm

    I was in Whole Foods this morning and what should I see on sale? The Tommy variety of mangoes that you mentioned in your previous post! And, of course, I picked them up . . . I was going to use them in oatmeal but I think once Mr. Noodle spots these quesadillas, I can’t get away with using it for anything else.

  • lauren April 15, 2009 at 7:36 am

    i love mango – your last 2 recipes look delicious. I have had mango salsa before, so I bet that quesadilla was fantastic.

  • healthy ashley April 15, 2009 at 7:40 am

    YUM! I’ve added mango to a black bean quesadila once before but I really like your combo!

  • Lori April 15, 2009 at 9:22 am

    5 Star – Hope your like it. Your daughter has excellent preferences in fruit! πŸ™‚

    Sweta – Thanks so much for sharing your experiences and thanks for that tip! I haven’t seen it in the supermarkets here, but sometimes the Japanese market brings in varieties from other parts of te country so I will have my eye out.

    lesley – It is a great combo!

    Michelle – The mangos here are great! They do have season though and right now they are a bit harder to find, but still much more available and better tasting than in the US.

    Hayley – Thanks for your comment. Fruit and cheese are definitely a great combo.

    Dietitian – Yep.

    Erin – I will admit it is a bit outside the box for some. πŸ™‚

    Reeni – It is!

    Tangled Noodle – How cool! So glad you were able to get them there. Hopefully you’ll enjoy the combo. πŸ™‚

    lauren – Thanks! You know, I hadn’t even really thought of that. It really is a lot like mango salsa.

    healthy ashley – I definitely need to try it with black beans. Sounds great!

  • Mrs H April 16, 2009 at 11:27 am

    This reminds me of a fish taco recipe that I have only minus the fish haha. I bet it is really wonderful. I think the fruit and cheese combo tends to worry some people but you just have to think of all the fruits like apples and pears that are wonderful with cheese before you pass judgement.

  • Lori April 16, 2009 at 7:20 pm

    Mrs H – Now that might be a good idea. A fish taco. Tuna was mentioned, but I’m thinking a white fish would be good. πŸ™‚

  • Marianne April 22, 2009 at 6:36 pm

    The mango/jalapeno combination is like a simplified mango salsa. I even have all the ingredients in my fridge, I could totally make one of these.

  • Want to create beautiful food and product photos that you can't wait to share?!
    Discover your style, control the light, and shoot using the tool you know how to use (yes, your phone included). Learn about free resources, Live Q&As with Lori, and online courses you can take from anywhere in the world!
    We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.