The Versatile Tortilla: Quick Meals Made Easy

I learned early on that tortillas are extremely handy to have on hand for a quick snack or full meal. There are so many things that they can be used for (I own an entire cookbook of recipes using tortillas)! And today there are many varieties: big ones, small ones, the basic flour tortilla, whole wheat, gluten free, carb friendly varieties, even vegetable based.

Have A Sweet Tooth?

Spread a little peanut butter on a tortilla, sprinkle a handful of chocolate chips on top, roll it up and pop it in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. The peanut butter gets hot fast, and melts the chocolate chips fairly quickly. A good spread like Nutella works quite well on a tortilla. Want something more churro style? Little melted butter spread on a tortilla and some cinnamon sugar mix has you covered.

Make a Quick Meal

Have hotdogs and no buns? Roll the hotdog up with your toppings in a tortilla (a spin on pigs in a blanket). Or Hamburgers without buns? No problem – chop up the hamburger and assemble just like the hotdogs.

While not the healthiest, I love a good chili cheese burrito – something easily and quickly made at home with a little leftover chili and cheese rolled up in a tortilla. This works with leftover sloppy joes as well! Cold cut sandwich or peanut butter sandwich – no problem, tortillas have you covered.

Have a Snack!

Cheese and salsa, but no chips? Cut tortillas into pieces, put a little oil on them (olive oil is my preference), and toast them up quickly in the oven. Little tip from a brief period working in fast food – often times that’s how restaurants get their tortilla chips…bags of frozen tortilla pieces that get dropped in a fryer and then salted after (I go the oven route for a slightly healthier option).

One Item, So Many Uses

With so many uses – from snacks to full meals to desserts – a good package of tortillas is one thing I always try to have on hand; and if I’m feeling ambitious enough, they’re not difficult to make either (though I’ll save that for a recipe post down the road). It’s just one of those handy items to have on hand (especially if you’re in college or just an on-the-go person).

Happy Cooking!