Autumn Recipe: Halloween Cheesy Quesadillas
Sneaking extra veg into mealtimes doesn't have to be a battle, these cheesy cauliflower quesadillas are a fun, hands-on way to get little ones excited about food this Halloween, without the fuss.
Ingredients
* ΒΌ small cauliflower (leaves and stalk removed)
* 25g butter
* 25g flour
* 150ml milk of your choice
* 75g mature cheddar, finely grated (or dairy-free cheese)
* 15g tomato puree
* Salt and pepper, to taste
* 3-4 tortillas
* Splash of oil, for frying
* Halloween Pumpkin Cookie Cutters or use a knife
Method
1. Half fill a large saucepan with water and bring to the boil. Add the cauliflower florets and boil for 10-12 minutes, until soft. Drain and set aside.
2. Blitz the cauliflower until smooth in a food processor.
3. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan over a low heat, then whisk in the flour until it forms a smooth paste. Cook, whisking constantly, for 30 seconds.
4. Gradually whisk in the milk a little at a time, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer and letting it thicken after each addition. Continue stirring until all the milk is incorporated and the sauce coats the back of a spoon (about 6-8 minutes).
5. Stir in the cheese and tomato puree, then season with salt and pepper.
6. Fold the cauliflower puree into the cheese sauce.
7. Using a pumpkin-shaped cutter, cut 24 pumpkin shapes from the tortillas. On 12 of these, cut out spooky eyes and a mouth with a smaller cutter or a knife.
8. Lay the 12 plain pumpkin tortillas on a tray. Spoon a teaspoon of cheese sauce onto each, then top with a face tortilla to sandwich together. Repeat for all 12.
9. Heat a splash of oil in a frying pan and cook the quesadillas in batches, both sides, until crisp and lightly golden.
Recipe courtesy of Louise Slope, Child Nutritional Therapist, Nourished Nest.