Mile-High Quesadillas

Directions

1. Pre-heat the oven 350°F.
2. Pre-heat a large skillet over high heat with 3 tablespoons of EVOO, then add the mushrooms and sauté until golden. Add the onion, garlic, jalapeño peppers, salt and freshly ground black pepper and sauté until softened and slightly caramelized.
3. While the veggies are cooking, make the dipping sauce: In a food processor, puree the avocado, 1 cup cilantro, lime juice, sour cream, hot sauce and salt, to taste. Pour into a serving bowl and reserve.
4. Over an open flame of a gas burner, lightly char each side of all 14 tortillas and reserve on a plate.
5. In a small bowl, add the beans and mix in remaining 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, salt and ground black pepper, and reserve.
6. Once the veggies are done, add them to the food processor bowl the dipping sauce as pureed in. Add the cheese and process to a slightly chunky paste.
7. On a clean, flat, work surface, lay out six tortillas and spread the cheese mixture on three of them. On the other three, spread refried beans. Stack them up, topping with a plain tortilla, so that you have a 7-layer stack. Repeat with the remaining tortillas, alternating the filling the same way as before and topping with a plain tortilla.
8. Pre-heat a skillet over medium-low heat with a tablespoon of EVOO and place one stack into the skillet. Cook until brown on each side, about 3 minutes. When the first 7-layer stack is done, pop it into the oven to stay warm while you brown the other.
9. To serve, gently cut each quesadilla into wedges using a serrated knife and serve with the avocado dipping sauce alongside.