Vegan Swiss Chard & Spicy Guacamole Quesadillas

Stuffed with perfectly spiced veggies and creamy guacamole, these cheese-free quesadillas will awaken your senses with unique pops of flavor from plumped raisins and orange juice.

Ingredients

1 ripe Hass avocado (peeled and pitted; reserve pit)
2 Tbs. fresh cilantro (minced)
1/4 cup red onion (diced)
1 clove garlic (minced)
1/4 (about 1/2 tsp.) fresh habanero or jalapeño chile (seeded and finely chopped)
1 Tbs. fresh lime juice
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp., plus more to taste coarse sea salt
2 Tbs/ raisins (optional)
1 large bunch (1 pound) Swiss chard chiffonade
1/2 Tbs., plus a little extra extra-virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic (minced)
1/4 tsp., plus more to taste coarse sea salt
5 Tbs. fresh orange juice
4 8-inch whole-wheat tortillas
Cilantro sprigs and hot sauce (for garnish)

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, combine avocado and cilantro; using the back of a spoon, mash avocado until creamy but textured. Add remaining guacamole ingredients and mix well. Add the pit to guacamole to prevent rapid browning. Set aside.

2. If using raisins, cover with hot water to plump; drain. In a large pot over high heat, bring 3 quarts salted water to a boil. Prepare a large bowl of ice water. Add chard chiffonade to boiling water and cook, uncovered, for 1 minute. Drain and quickly plunge into ice water to stop cooking. Drain.

3. In a medium sauté pan, add ½ Tbs. olive oil and garlic. Increase heat to medium-high and sauté for 1 minute. Add chard, drained raisins (if using), and ¼ tsp. salt. Sauté for 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Add orange juice and cook for an additional 15 seconds. Do not overcook (chard should be bright green). Season with additional salt if needed. Set aside.

4. Preheat oven to 200 degrees F. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm a little olive oil. Add 1 tortilla, moving it around to cover bottom with oil. Spread 2 Tbs. sautéed chard on half of tortilla. Spread 2 heaping tablespoons guacamole on top of chard; cook for 2 minutes. Fold tortilla in half and press down with a spatula for 15 seconds. Flip and cook another 30 seconds. The quesadilla should be lightly browned on both sides. Place quesadilla on a baking sheet and transfer to oven to keep warm. Repeat with remaining ingredients, making 4 quesadillas. Before serving, cut each quesadilla in half and garnish with cilantro. Serve with hot sauce.

PER SERVING: 274 cal, 40% fat cal, 12g fat, 1g sat fat, 0mg chol, 7g protein, 35g carb, 7g fiber, 558mg sodium

This recipe and photo by Alan Roettinger was provided by New Hope Network. FoodTrients is a member of the New Hope Influencer Co-op, a network of health and wellness bloggers committed to spreading more health to more people.