Smashburger Quesadillas: Crispy Cheesy Hack (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Main Components

01 - 450g ground beef (80/20 blend)
02 - 10-inch flour tortillas
03 - shredded cheese (cheddar, American, or Mexican blend)
04 - finely diced onion
05 - butter
06 - garlic powder
07 - onion powder
08 - smoked paprika
09 - salt
10 - black pepper

→ Optional Toppings

11 - sliced pickles
12 - shredded lettuce
13 - diced tomatoes
14 - fresh or pickled jalapeños
15 - crispy bacon bits

→ Special Sauce

16 - mayonnaise
17 - ketchup
18 - yellow mustard
19 - pickle juice
20 - smoked paprika for sauce

# Instructions:

01 - In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Divide the seasoned beef into 4-6 loose, equal portions.
02 - Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Place a single beef portion onto the hot skillet. Using a sturdy spatula, press down firmly on the beef until it forms a very thin patty, holding pressure for approximately 10 seconds. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side until the patty is deeply browned and crispy. Transfer the cooked patty to a plate and repeat this process for the remaining beef portions.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, pickle juice, and the additional smoked paprika until well combined. Set the special sauce aside.
04 - Lay a flour tortilla flat on a clean surface. Sprinkle half of the tortilla with a generous layer of shredded cheese. Place a cooked smashburger patty on top of the cheese, then drizzle with the prepared special sauce. Add your desired optional toppings, such as diced onion, sliced pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, or jalapeños. Sprinkle additional shredded cheese over the toppings and fold the tortilla in half to enclose the fillings. Repeat for all remaining tortillas.
05 - Return a clean skillet to medium heat and melt a portion of the butter. Carefully place an assembled quesadilla into the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the tortilla is golden brown and the cheese inside is thoroughly melted and gooey. Remove from skillet and set aside.
06 - Transfer the cooked quesadillas to a cutting board and allow them to rest for 1 minute before slicing into wedges. Serve immediately with extra special sauce and any preferred sides.

# Notes:

01 - For optimal flavor and juiciness, utilize an 80/20 ground beef blend.
02 - Achieve maximum crispiness by smashing beef patties very thin.
03 - Ensure the skillet is thoroughly heated for a perfect sear on the beef.
04 - Liberal application of cheese is key to ensure the quesadilla holds together.
05 - When preparing for a larger group, keep cooked quesadillas warm in an oven preheated to 95°C.
06 - Explore variations such as adding crispy bacon bits for a Bacon Smashburger Quesadilla.
07 - Infuse heat by incorporating fresh or pickled jalapeños for a Spicy Jalapeño Quesadilla.
08 - For a Tex-Mex rendition, season the beef with taco seasoning and serve with salsa and sour cream.
09 - Substitute cheddar with Swiss cheese and add sautéed mushrooms for a Mushroom Swiss version.
10 - Alternative protein: Replace ground beef with ground chicken or turkey for a lighter option.

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