Cheesy Beef Quesadilla

A quick and savory treat, this cheesy beef quesadilla combines seasoned minced hanger steak with melted cheese for a crispy, satisfying meal in under 5 minutes.

Ingredients

• 200 g hanger steak
• 2 tortillas
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1/2 red onion
• 1 cup lettuce
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp cooking wine
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 1/4 cup millet
• 1/4 cup mung beans
• 3 pitted red dates

Instructions

1. 1Grind the beef

   

   Place the hanger steak into a food processor and pulse until it is finely minced. Using hanger steak provides a rich, savory flavor that makes the pancake especially delicious.

   Tip: If you dont have a food processor, you can finely mince the beef by hand with a sharp knife.
2. 2Chop the lettuce

   

   Take the fresh lettuce leaves and finely chop them on a cutting board. This will serve as a crisp, fresh base for your beef pancake filling.

   Tip: Ensure the lettuce is washed and dried thoroughly before chopping to keep the pancake from getting soggy.
3. 3Chop the red onion

   

   Carefully mince the red onion into small, uniform pieces. The red onion adds a nice sharp bite that balances the richness of the beef and cheese.

   Tip: To prevent eye irritation while chopping, keep the onion chilled before cutting.
4. 4Cook the grains and dates

   

   In a small pot, combine the millet, mung beans, and pitted red dates with water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender. This healthy mixture complements the savory beef pancake.

   Tip: Soaking the mung beans for 30 minutes prior to cooking can help them soften faster.
5. 5Sauté the onions

   

   Heat your pan and add the chopped red onions. Stir-fry them until they are fragrant and translucent, forming the aromatic foundation for the beef.

   Tip: Use a medium-low heat to soften the onions without burning them.
6. 6Add garlic and beef

   

   Add the minced garlic to the sautéed onions, then incorporate the ground beef. Stir-fry until the beef is fully browned and cooked through, seasoning with light soy sauce, black pepper, cooking wine, and ketchup.

   Tip: Keep the heat high to ensure the beef browns well without steaming in its own juices.
7. 7Stir-fry the beef

   

   Add the ground beef to the pan with the sautéed onions and minced garlic. Stir-fry over medium heat until the beef is browned and fully cooked through.

   Tip: Using a non-stick pan is ideal, but as shown here, stir-frying on medium heat ensures the beef browns evenly without sticking to the pan surface.
8. 8Season the beef mixture

   

   While the beef is browning, add light soy sauce, black pepper, cooking wine, and a splash of ketchup. Mix thoroughly to ensure the seasonings coat the beef evenly.

   Tip: The combination of soy sauce and ketchup provides a savory and slightly tangy flavor profile that complements the beef perfectly.
9. 9Prepare the pancake base

   

   Place a tortilla into the pan and sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese over the surface. The cheese will act as the binder for the other ingredients.

   Tip: Low heat is essential at this stage to melt the cheese slowly without burning the bottom of the tortilla.
10. 10Layer the fresh ingredients

    

    Distribute the finely chopped lettuce evenly over the melting cheese layer. This adds a fresh, crisp texture to the cheesy beef pancake.

    Tip: Keep the lettuce layer thin so it stays crunchy and doesnt make the tortilla soggy.

Storing Leftovers

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions