Ever tried Greek-Mex? Didn’t think so! Well, if you’ve ever tried Greek spanakopita, or feta cheese and spinach pie, you’ll absolutely love these Greek quesadillas with tsatziki!
A few years down the line after leaving Greece, where I lived for many years, there are still so many things I miss about this beautiful country.
This view from my balcony, for one thing:
Yes, this is really one of the sunsets I enjoyed from my apartment in Athens, Greece!
So despite not being sorry to escape certain elements of being there, I’ve really missed my balcony with the lovely view and stunning sunsets, sunshiny weather nearly every day, and colourful Greek salads with beautiful red and juicy tomatoes; the ones that leave a gorgeous pool of juice in the bottom of the bowl to mingle with the olive oil and be mopped up with crusty, freshly-baked bread.
I’m sorry. I know you now want to jump up immediately, dash down to the shops in search of some juicy tomatoes and make yourself one of these pretty unbeatable perfect Greek salads. And perhaps even move to Greece.
Well, go on then, but before you do, just humour me by staying around for a tiny while longer to hear all about these Greek quesadillas.
Now quesadillas you probably all know and love, but have you ever tried a Greek ‘spanakopita’ or spinach pie, often made with filo pastry? A freshly baked one from a local bakery in Greece is hard to beat as a late breakfast or mid-morning snack, or snack any time. The only ‘problem’ is that they do tend to be fairly oily so you don’t want to be eating them all the time.
So enter these little Greek quesadillas which cut out the oil but still deliver those perfectly paired classic Greek flavours of spinach, feta and dill … right into your mouth! I added a few chopped sun-dried tomatoes to mine for a little extra tang.
Instead of serving with a salsa, I decided to whip up a quick and easy traditional tsatziki sauce of yoghurt, garlic, cucumber, lemon juice and dill, with a drizzle of olive oil added at the end.
This is simply lunch (or dinner) perfection.
Now that we live in Australia I do miss being able to pop down to a taverna in my neighbourhood for a traditional Greek meal. But I don’t miss Greek food itself because I still often make it for dinner!
If you’ve been following along with the blog for long, you’ll know that I often publish Greek recipes here. They may not be the best versions of Greek food you’ll ever have (because that would most likely be in Greece!), but they’re really simple versions, very very tasty.
If you’ve never really tried much Greek food before, I’d recommend starting with these recipes: Greek spinach and feta filo pie, easy moussaka (I just made this again yesterday and it’s as delicious as ever), Greek lemon and oregano chicken with crispy potatoes.
What about you? What would you miss the most life-style-wise about the place where you live? And are you going to make these Greek quesadillas?
If you do, please let me know what you think!
More delicious spinach and feta recipes
- Having a party? Don’t miss these Greek filo parcels. They’re always so popular!
- This Greek mac and cheese bake takes just 30 minutes to make and has a lighter evaporated milk ‘cheat’s sauce’. No flour and roux sauce needed!
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Greek quesadillas with tsatziki
Ingredients (UK/Australia? Click below for grams/ml)
For the quesadillas
- 7 ounces spinach (fresh)
- 2 scallions / spring onions, chopped finely
- 1 tablespoon dill (fresh) chopped
- 2.5 ounces feta cheese
- 3 sun-dried tomatoes chopped (optional)
- 4 flour tortillas (I used 20cm-diameter ones)
- salt and pepper for seasoning
- olive oil for cooking
For the tsatziki sauce
- 1 cup Greek yoghurt (don’t use ordinary yogurt – it’s too thin)
- 0.5 cloves garlic chopped finely or minced
- 1 cucumber (medium) diced finely
- 1 teaspoon chopped dill
- 2 squeezes lemon juice
- black pepper and a drizzle of olive oil
Instructions
- Wash the spinach, then wilt it down in a pan (or even in the microwave) for a few minutes. Afterwards, squeeze out as much of the water as you can by pressing it down into a colander or even squeezing it with your hands. Put it into a large bowl.
- Add the chopped scallions/spring onions, dill and sun-dried tomatoes (if using) to the bowl. Then crumble in the feta. Give it all a good mix together and put aside while you make the tsatziki.
- For the tsatziki, put the yogurt into another smaller bowl or dish and add the garlic, cucumber, dill and lemon juice. Mix it all together well.
- Grind some black pepper onto the top and drizzle over a little olive oil.
- Now heat up a skillet/frying pan. Spread half of your spinach mixture over two of the tortillas and top with the other two. Press down a little then place one of the rounds into the pan with a drizzle of oil. When it’s nice and browned and crispy, carefully turn it over and let the other side cook for a minute or two. Repeat with the second round.
- Slice each round into six quesadillas and serve with the tsatziki sauce immediately.
DessertForTwo says
I’m definitely craving all of the Greek food now! YUM!
Helen says
Good! Then the post had the desired effect! 🙂
Natalia says
Oh my goodness this recipe looks FANTASTIC. I have to make this now. I’ll let you know how it turns out!
Helen says
Hello Natalia! Thanks so much for passing by – your blog name sounds intriguing so I’ll definitely be paying you a visit, too! We Greece-loving-bloggers need to stick together!
Please do let me know what you think of this. It was a busy week throw-together really, but I did enjoy it.
Aleks @ canuckcuisine says
I’d love to borrow that balcony 🙂
I lol’d about your basil plant… I just bought one today, fully knowing it will be a bare wreck in 2 days. I think everyone should own two pots of basil – one to be pretty, one to rip all the leaves from!!
Best of luck with your move, hope it goes quickly and smoothly.
Helen says
Hey, great plan to buy two plants each time. I love basil but I don’t think I’ve made a plant last more than a week or so, either.
Thanks for the good wishes. Things are so crazy right now, but it’s just a few more days!
Ella-HomeCookingAdventure says
These are looking lovely. Love to discover new ways of making the quesadillas, are one of my family favorite.
Helen says
Hello, Ella! Thanks so much for paying me a visit! And so glad you like these quesadillas, too. They seem to have been a bit of a surprise hit!
Mariana @The Candid Kitchen says
I pinned this straight away. I love mexican food and love a good twist on it. This looks perfect.
Helen says
So glad you like this, Mariana, and thanks so much for pinning! The best thing about it is that it’s so easy!
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says
I don’t think I’ve ever had a quesadilla with feta – let alone tsatziki sauce – what a genius idea!
When I left Abu Dhabi as a teen – i so missed the safety there – my friends and I (in our teens at that time) didn’t think twice about walking home from the library at 10pm or going for a run by ourselves at 4aa…safe travels back to UK!
Helen says
So glad you like the quesadillas, Shashi. They work really well with the feta. That’s something I love about Greece, too. I have actually walked home many times in the early hours of the morning without needing to worry. It’s a precious thing to feel safe, isn’t it? 🙂
Ashley says
First, these quesadillas look absolutely amazing. I love all the flavors in here – and it would be such a great weeknight meal too! I love getting up early and sitting quietly with coffee before anyone else gets up – it’s such a great time of day!
Helen says
I guess this would be an easy week-night meal – my favourite! I’ve been up earlier lately because I have so much on my mind, and I have to admit I appreciate that early quietness. It feels like you get a couple of extra sneaky hours while everyone else is still sleeping! 🙂
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
Oooh these look fabulous! Love all of the spinach packed in there, and it’s such a clever idea combining Greek flavors in a traditionally un-Greek cooking method. Best of luck with your move, Helen!
Helen says
Thanks so much, Alyssa! (for the compliments and the good wishes!) Hope you’re having a great weekend. 🙂
Sarah & Arkadi says
such great quesadillas! love all of that spinach!
Helen says
Thank you!
Liz says
What a terrific idea for quesadillas! I’ll definitely make these for a light dinner this summer…they look scrumptious. Good luck with your move, Helen!!
Helen says
Thanks so much for the good wishes, Liz, and so glad you approve of the quesadillas!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
I’ve always gone Mexican with quesadillas but going Greek sounds like a brilliant idea. Sort of like a gozleme! 🙂
Helen says
Ahhh … yes, thanks for the reminder about gozlemes! That’s something else that I’d love to try making. I had one in the market in Melbourne and loved it!
Chris @ Shared Appetite says
This is such an amazing idea!!! I love it! I love Greek food. I love Mexican food. Greek-Mex makes PERFECT sense! And good luck with the moving… I feel your pain. We have boxes ALL over the house! Moving is no fun!
Helen says
So glad you approve of the Greek-Mex thing, Chris. It’s fun, isn’t it? The worst thing about moving from here is the BUREAUCRACY, as I said in the post. Unbelievable!
whatjessicabakednext says
Wow, these look amazing Helen! I love the fusions of flavours and it’s so cool seeing a Greek quesadilla recipe- really unique! And I absolutely love tsatziki- my favourite! Thanks for sharing and hope you have a great weekend! 🙂
Helen says
Thanks so much, Jessica. I really enjoyed making (and eating!) these. I guess it’s my first ‘fusion’ recipe … haha! Hope you have a great weekend, too! 🙂
ATasteOfMadness says
Crazy jealous of that sunset. I think I would be out on the balcony everyday 🙂
And this quesadilla? Words cannot describe how much I want this right now!
Helen says
It’s a pretty cool sunset, isn’t it? The winter ones are actually the best. So glad you like the quesadillas!
Tina @ Tina's Chic Corner says
That view is AMAZING! What a wonderful experience (well, the living there part, not the moving back home). How long were you in Greece for? I’ve visited 2 times and loved it!
I’m obsessed with these Greek style quesadillas!
Helen says
Tina, I’ve actually been here for YEARS (and years … over 10!) … it has been a great experience, but I admit that I’m ready to go back home now. So glad I impressed you with the quesadillas! 🙂
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
They sound perfect Helen! I’ve got to give these a try soon. I’ve still yet to make tsatziki sauce and I have no idea why!
Happy Friday!
Helen says
Well, I’ve been here in Greece for years, Melanie, and have only made tsatziki a couple of times, so this was almost like the first time for me as well. It’s incredibly easy, though – definitely give it a go!
Mary Frances @ The Sweet {Tooth} Life says
Helen, you have no idea how incredible this recipe is. I LOVE tzaziki and greek food, and putting both in a quesadilla is pure genius. What a fantastic recipe! Have a great Friday!
Helen says
Aw, thank you for saying these lovely things, Mary Frances! I thought it was about time I posted another ‘Greek’ recipe and I guess I liked how easy this one was. Hope you give it a go some time! 🙂
Eva says
Quésadillas, j’adore! J’ai envie de faire cette recette et surtout de la mangé !
Helen says
Merci beaucoup, Eva. Je suis tres contente que tu les aimes! 🙂
Norma | Allspice and Nutmeg says
What a gorgeous view. Is the UK your home?
I love the quesadillas. This is right up my alley.
Helen says
So glad you like them, Norma. Yes, the UK is my home … we’re going back there!
Sofia // Papaya Pieces says
Moving in a couple of weeks and you’re already in a sea of boxes? I really feel for you 🙁 (and then you will for me when its my turn). Your quesadillas look heavenly. I especially like seeing them open with the filling because they look even more wholesome and enticing. Hugs!
Helen says
Thank you for the ‘good moving wishes’, Sofia! Are you moving soon, too?
I like the photos showing the open tortillas, too. 🙂
cheri says
HI Helen, Your balcony life sounds dreamy. In the winter here in Arizona our patio is our “balcony”. It must be a little tuff to give up but sounds like you have a new adventure coming your way. Love how you stuffed the quesadillas with greens. Looks amazing!
Helen says
I am consoling my balcony-losing self with the ‘new adventures’ mantra, Cheri. Really looking forward to going back to my own country, Cheri, but the good weather is definitely one thing I’ll miss. So glad you like the quesadillas!
Cindy @ Pick Fresh foods says
Such a lovely view. I would miss that too. One of my favorite things to do is sit on my deck, look out through the forest and see the mountains. Like your view, I think it is peaceful 😀
So, I just happen to have made some Tzatziki that I’ve been trying to figure out how to use up. These quesadillas would be perfect 😀
Good luck on your move!
Helen says
That’s fantastic that you have some leftover tsatziki, Cindy! I really hope you do give these a go. It sounds like you have a beautiful view as well. That must be amazing to be able to see the forest and mountains. 🙂
Pam says
Lucky! I’ve always wanted to visit Greece & the UK and you get to LIVE in both of those places. The sunset is stunning!
The quesadilla looks so tasty and so does the tzatziki sauce.
Helen says
Thank you so much, Pam! Both Greece and the UK have many things going for them, but I’m sure I’d be envious of things in the place you live, too! 😉
So pleased you like the quesadillas and sauce!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
Oh how I would love to join you on your balcony in Athens! My dream is to go to Greece, more than anywhere else in Europe. If I ever go, I might have to invite myself over. Will you make me these yummy quesadillas?
Helen says
Nathalie, I would make you anything you like! 🙂 Unfortunately though we probably won’t be here as we’re moving back to the UK in 2 weeks. But you can come to visit there instead! 🙂
Zainab @ Blahnik Baker says
Please send me that gorgeous sunset!! Beautiful! And while you are at it…this quesadillas too 🙂
Helen says
Haha … I sooo wish I could, Zainab! If only there was a way! 🙂