How To Make A Whole Meal Using Tortillas

Admit it, you have pantry favorites. Sure you love all the food you carefully curated to fill it up with, but those ingredients you can get the most out of are the ones you love best. Take tortillas. From start to finish, they get the job done in making a meal.

Mission® is the #1 tortilla company in the U.S. and manufactures a variety of authentic Mexican products. The company's new Mission Organics® line is particularly special because it is USDA Organic Certified and non-GMO Project Verified. Their new organic tortilla offerings come in three flavors: flour, whole wheat and corn (for those seeking a gluten-free option) and can take you through your entire meal easily.

The beauty of a tortilla is that you can do so much with it. We've all warmed one up for the perfect taco or burrito, but a few simple cooking techniques turns a tortilla into personal pizzas, wraps, chips or even dessert within minutes.

Appetizer

There is nothing like a chip and dip appetizer, but this summer try changing up the menu with a shareable dish your guests will love. Create the ultimate chicken and cheese quesadilla with farm fresh local ingredients like tomatoes, onions, corn and herbs topped with mashed up ripe avocados and seasonings for the ultimate guacamole. Grab your bag of Mission Organics® tortillas and get ready to grill. Heat a skillet with one inch of oil. While it is heating, top your tortilla with shredded cheddar cheese and let it melt. On one side of your tortilla add your chicken and fresh vegetables. Using tongs fold your tortilla over and flip. Fry for one minute on each side, then remove and serve warm with your freshly made guacamole or dip of choice.

Entree

It is hard to choose just one entree when it comes to tortillas. These versatile wraps make it easy to create authentic tacos, burritos, enchiladas and more all in the comfort of your own kitchen. Set out fillings for a DIY taco bar or stuff and roll your tortillas with corn and bean salsa and bake for easy and authentic enchiladas – a meal most people want to try to make but think it is too hard. Top the baked and stuffed enchiladas with salsa and tomatillo sauce and you've just served up restaurant-style Mexican food without the help of a gourmet chef.

Dessert

You might be surprised by how many desserts you can make using tortillas. From crepes and empanadas to chocolate flatbreads and ice-cream roll-ups the possibilities are endless. Here's a sugar-coated idea to get you started! Use a pizza cutter to slice your tortilla into strips. Fry each strip for one minute on each side and remove to drain. Swap out the salt for cinnamon sugar and liberally dust both sides of your tortilla strips to coat. Serve with warm chocolate and caramel sauce for dipping. Another easy way to use tortillas for dessert is to turn them into crepes. Warm them in a skillet for a few seconds on each side and stuff with prepared fillings like Nutella and strawberry, caramel and pear, cheese and guava, the list goes on and on!

Another great idea is to take advantage of summer's fresh fruit by turning them into tarts. Start by making a simple custard and let cool for a few hours.  While custard cools, place tortillas in ramekins, fold or flute to make it fit and bake for 10-15 minutes until golden brown. Once tortillas have cooled, fill them with the custard and top with your favorite fruit! Give these tortilla fruit tarts a try!