Enchiladas and quesadillas are two types of Mexican dishes that are popular all over the world. There are some similarities between these dishes as both use tortillas as the base ingredient. However, enchiladas are not the same as quesadillas.
What is the difference between enchiladas and quesadillas? Enchiladas are rolled corn tortillas filled with various ingredients and covered in sauce. Quesadillas, on the other hand, are folded tortillas with melted cheese (and sometimes other fillings) that are cooked until they become crispy.
Key Areas Covered
1. What are Enchiladas
– Definition, Features
2. What are Quesadillas
– Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Enchiladas and Quesadillas
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Enchiladas and Quesadillas
– Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Enchiladas and Quesadillas
– Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Key Terms
Enchiladas, Quesadillas
What are Enchiladas
Enchiladas are a traditional Mexican dish made with a corn tortilla wrapped around a filling and covered in savory sauce. The filling can include meat, cheese, beans, potatoes, or vegetables. Meanwhile, the sauce can be chili-based (like salsa roja), tomatillo-based (like salsa verde), or cheese-based (like chile con queso).
Enchiladas have a long history and date back to Mayan civilization. At that time, people ate simple corn tortillas called tlaxcalli. When the Spanish conquistadors arrived, they renamed them tortillas. Originally, enchiladas were just plain tortillas dipped in chili sauce, but over time, people began stuffing them with ingredients and adding toppings.
What are Quesadillas
A quesadilla is a Mexican dish made with a tortilla and melted cheese. The name comes from the Spanish word “queso,” which means cheese. The exact origin of the quesadilla is unknown, but it is believed to have started in northern Mexico, especially in Sonora.
A quesadilla is made by placing cheese inside a corn or flour tortilla, sometimes with extra fillings. It is then folded in half and toasted until the cheese melts and the tortilla becomes slightly crispy. Originally, quesadillas were made with just a corn tortilla and cheese, but over time, people started adding meat, beans, and vegetables. Today, quesadillas are popular worldwide, especially in Tex-Mex cuisine.
Similarities Between Enchiladas and Quesadillas
- Both enchiladas and quesadillas come from Mexico and are an important part of Mexican cuisine.
- These dishes use tortillas as the base ingredient.
- Both can be filled with cheese, meat, beans, or vegetables.
Difference Between Enchiladas and Quesadillas
Definition
- Enchiladas are rolled corn tortillas filled with various ingredients and then covered in sauce. Quesadillas, on the other hand, are folded tortillas with melted cheese (and sometimes other fillings) that are cooked until they become crispy.
Cooking Method
- Enchiladas are baked or covered in sauce and sometimes cooked in the oven, whereas quesadillas are grilled, toasted, or pan-fried until the cheese melts and the tortilla becomes crispy.
Nature
- Enchiladas are rolled up and placed in a dish before being covered with sauce while quesadillas are folded in half or stacked like a sandwich and then cooked.
Sauce
- Enchiladas are always covered in sauce, such as red, green, or cheese sauce. Meanwhile, quesadillas do not have sauce on top but are often served with dips like salsa or guacamole.
Cheese
- Enchiladas can contain cheese, but it is not the main ingredient. But quesadillas always have cheese as the main ingredient, melted inside the tortilla.
FAQ: Enchiladas and Quesadillas
1. What is the difference between a tortilla and a quesadilla?
A tortilla is a plain, flat bread made of corn or flour. A quesadilla is a dish made by filling a tortilla with cheese (and sometimes other ingredients), then folding and cooking it until the cheese melts.
2. What is the difference between enchiladas and burritos?
Enchiladas are made with corn tortillas rolled around a filling. They are covered in sauce before being baked. However, burritos are made with large flour tortillas, wrapped around a filling, and usually not covered in sauce. Burritos are also bigger and can be eaten with your hands, while enchiladas are usually eaten with a fork.
3. What’s the difference between quesadillas and burritos?
Quesadillas are folded tortillas filled with cheese (and sometimes other ingredients) and cooked until crispy. Burritos are wrapped tortillas filled with meat, beans, rice, and other ingredients, then rolled up completely. Quesadillas are usually crispy, while burritos are soft and eaten as a whole wrap.
4. What makes enchiladas different?
Enchiladas are different because they are made with corn tortillas, rolled around a filling, and covered in sauce before being baked. Unlike burritos or quesadillas, they are eaten with a fork and have a soft, saucy texture.
5. What is the main ingredient in enchiladas?
The main ingredient in enchiladas is the corn tortilla, which is filled with various ingredients like meat, cheese, beans, or vegetables and then covered with sauce.
Reference:
1. “Enchilada.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.
2. “Quesadilla.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Quesadilla 2” By Popo le Chien – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “enchiladas b” By Cheshire East Council (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) via Flickr
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