E-Z Flank Steak Quesadillas

These are super easy to make and yummy good!
It's best to marinate the flank steak over night but a couple hours will do.

For the Flank Steak

• 1 lb. of Flank steak
• EVOO (I don't measure but I would guess about 1/2 cup+)
  
• Montreal Steak Seasoning (McCormicks)
• 2 cloves fresh garlic
• 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar (You can also use rice wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar, pretty much whatever you have on hand)
  

Put everything in a gallon size bag and let it do it's thing. When your ready to cook dinner throw it on the grill, broil it in the oven, or my fave....throw it on the indoor grill (aka George Foreman, I've got a no frills DeLonghi). Let that baby cook until pink inside, now take it off and let it "rest". Remember it will continue to cook just a bit. Once it's rested for about 10 to 15 minutes, slice it against the grain in very thin pieces.

Quesadillas

• 4 to 6 large 10" tortillas
• Mexican cheese blend
• Grilled flank steak
  
• Optional: mushrooms, tomatoes, cilantro, jalapenos

I bake my quesadillas in the oven at 375 degrees. It cuts down on having to use butter to fry them and I can cook more than one time. Just lay the tortillas on a baking sheet, throw some cheese on them, add the flank steak on top and any other toppings you'd like, top with a little more cheese and then place another tortilla on top. Bake in the oven for approximately 5 minutes then flip and bake an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Use a pizza cutter to cut into triangles and serve with homemade guacamole, sour cream (I use plain Greek yogurt), lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, jalapenos, etc.

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour (I usually mix half whole wheat and 1/2 all purpose)
• 1/4 cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/3 cup canola oil
• 1/2 cup sugar (I use 1/4 cup)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar (I use 1/4 cup)
• 2 ripe bananas,mashed ( I like them when they have brown spots on them)
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
  

Preheat oven to 350.

Mix the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, slat, and baking powder together in a bowl.

In a separate bowl combine the oil, sugars, egg, and mashed banana together using a mixer or by hand until well combined. Slowly add the flour mixture and stir until just combined. Then fold in the chocolate chips and walnuts. Spoon the batter into a muffin pan.

Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of a muffin comes out clean. Cool on rack and enjoy!

Pasta with Pancetta and Leeks

Ingredients

• 12 ounces of pasta, cooked
• 1 cup of reserved pasta water, if needed (I ended up using some)
• 3 ounces of chopped Pancetta
• 3 leeks, sliced thin
• 1 Tablespoon butter
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• salt and pepper to taste
• Parmesan cheese

Cook pasta and set aside. Make sure to reserve a cup of the pasta water.

Saute chopped Pancetta until lightly browned. Add sliced leeks and cook for 8 minutes. Add butter. Saute for about 5 minutes then add wine, cook an additional 2 minutes, until reduced. Set heat on low, then pour in cream. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir in Parmesan cheese. Toss in pasta and add water as needed to thin out. Serve with additional Parmesan cheese and enjoy!