In my time as a military spouse, I’ve come to the conclusion that us spouses come in 2 varieties when it comes to facing short separations.
First up, you’ve got your spouse that dreads the separation from the moment she hears about it. At any given moment she can tell you exactly how many hours until he returns. Daily Facebook posts proclaiming how much she misses and/or loves her husband may happen.
Then there’s the other variety.
The ones that use the separation as sort of a “vacation” from real life. They only do laundry once a week since there are no PTs to wash every night, they cook whatever they want, and they might even buy zebra print trashcans for their bathrooms just because their husbands aren’t there to say no.
I’m in the 2nd group. Although I’m sure my husband wishes I was in the first because we now have animal print in every room of our house. Every room.
I made these quesadillas when my husband was gone last week. Peanut sauce is number 1 on the (very short) list of foods he refuses to eat so I’ve been waiting and waiting to give these a try and they were worth the wait. I don’t love peanut sauce and I kind of hate bean sprouts but for some reason this recipe called to me and I’m so glad it did.
All the flavors and textures just worked in this. The super crisp bean sprouts were the perfect contrast to the creamy mozzarella and all the peanut sauce I used for dipping. Since I made these originally, I’ve done it a few more times without the chicken and it’s every bit as delicious. You could also do tofu, thinly sliced beef, whatever you want!
(Peanut sauce is available in just about every grocery store, in the Asian foods section. I know Target also has one in their Archer Farms brand. Or you could make your own! There are tons of recipes out there.)
- flour tortillas
- peanut sauce store-bought or homemade
- cooked and shredded chicken
- green onions thinly sliced
- carrots thinly sliced
- bean sprouts
- mozzarella cheese shredded
- salted peanuts
- fresh cilantro
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Lay out one tortilla on a flat working surface, and spread with desired amount of peanut sauce. Sprinkle with the chicken, green onions, carrots, bean sprouts, mozzarella, peanuts and cilantro. Drizzle a bit more peanut sauce on top. Place another tortilla on top and gently press together so it doesn’t fall apart on you.
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Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Gently transfer tortilla to the pan. Cook for about 2 minutes, and then carefully flip over and cook for another 2 minutes (or until tortilla begins to brown and cheese is melted).
Blog is the New Black says
Um, NEED this!
Julie @ Table for Two says
love the spin on mexican to thai with this quesadilla! i really never would of thought of this. this sounds and looks so delicious!
d.liff @ yelleBELLYboo says
What a fun way to kick up an easy weeknight dinner! I have to find some homemade peanut sauce recipes so that I can try this!
Cassie @ bake your day says
Oh my gosh, I love these. Trying ASAP! I’m in the second group, too, although I’m not a military wife…I definitely don’t mind when my husband works evenings. He also works on Sundays and I thoroughly enjoy my “me” day. Animal print though, I haven’t gone there…..yet!
Jennifer | Mother Thyme says
I love everything about this recipe! Adding this to my dinner menu to try soon!
Annie's Cooking Lab says
That looks SO good! I love peanut sauce on pretty much everything :)
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
I knew when you started describing the second kind of military spouse it was you lol. Too funny.
jeralyn says
I’m SO trying these!
Erin says
Yum! It’s nice to do things your way without anyone saying otherwise sometimes :-)
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says
Yeah I would be second group with a twinge of the first (when the kids are driving me crazy). My husband works crazy hours and they are always changing. I kind of like it. Again except when I need a second person to help with baths and bedtime ;)
kita says
Oooh, I am guilty of being a bit whiny this week. I would totally be kicking it in vacation mode if I wasn’t the one far from home (apparently I’m more attached to my pets then I realized). Now that I’m here though, its party on. These quesadillas sound like something I would totally make for myself when hes away or in schhol late.
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
I love Thai flavors, these sound awesome. My husband would actually eat these! His list of foods he won’t eat is rather long, but he loves Thai food! I am in the 2nd group as well (although I am not a military wife). I love my free time, and shopping, and not having to answer to anyone!
Tracey says
Haha I’d fall into the 2nd group too, so long as it was a short-ish separation :) I’ve never had peanut sauce, but I absolutely love quesadillas so I’ve got to try these.
yummychunklet says
Funny! My sorority sister is married to a Naval officer, and she loves to decorate with leopard print whenever he’s away.
julia says
My husband hates peanut sauce too! And ice cream. I always make the foods he hates when he goes out of town, and I eat ice cream for dinner. It’s great! We both do love quesadillas though… I’d love this one! He’d hate it. Sigh.
Andrea at Nummy Kitchen says
These look so yummy, will have to try a version with just the veggies or tofu as you suggested, great idea. What a neat flavor fusion recipe! My husband would definitely not go for these either, just not a quesadilla fan, the kids and I love them though, so I make them often for summer lunches while he is at work. Anyway, much respect to you for how you deal with your husband being away, I bet that is a blessing for your children. Have a great weekend.
alison says
Thank you so much for the recipe! I am going to try it this week. I home I can find the peanut sauce at my store :)
Living The Sweet Life says
Quesadillas are always a good idea … I adore the flavours you used in this variation … must.make.soon!!
KarenP says
Yum!! My daughter LOVES quesadillas and the flavors in this one sounds tasty.
nicole says
ooo this sounds soo good. I LOVE peanut sauce.
Laura says
Yum, I’ve had thai chicken pizza before – but never thought of a quesadilla. This looks great!
Cara says
Yum! This reminds me of both the Thai Chicken Pizza and the Thai Chicken Springrolls (which were very loosely named, because they were actually rolled in tortillas) at California Pizza Kitchen. I used to work there and those were two of my favorite dishes so I know I’d love this!
Kristy says
I totally love the flavors and textures of this dish! So fresh and gorgeous and so easy to prepare! I am with all the ladies on having splashes of zebra or leopard around the home :) Lucky for me my husband works in fashion and loves it too, along with eating and trying all things new! I hoPe when you have the chance you can pop over to our blog earthwalkersfpcp.blogspot.com where we create and cook dishes from around the globe, travels, global cultures and more. Looking forward to trying your Mexican turned thai dish :)