Gourmet Pear Brie & Caramelized Onion Quesadillas with Balsamic Glaze: The Ultimate Fall Comfort Meal
These Pear Brie & Caramelised Onions Quesadillas are drizzled with a rich balsamic glaze, making them the ultimate quick and comforting meal for autumn!
If you’re anything like me, the mere mention of quesadillas brings a smile to your face. Is there anyone out there who doesn’t adore a perfectly golden, crispy tortilla filled with deliciousness? I certainly don’t think so! Quesadillas are a culinary marvel, effortlessly transcending cultural boundaries because, let’s be honest, almost anything tastes incredible when tucked between two warm, toasted tortillas.
Today, we’re elevating the humble quesadilla to a gourmet experience with this incredible recipe for Pear Brie & Caramelized Onion Quesadillas, made even more irresistible with a generous drizzle of homemade balsamic glaze. This isn’t just any quesadilla; it’s a symphony of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors that perfectly captures the essence of fall in every bite. And the best part? It’s designed for speed and simplicity, proving that sophisticated flavors don’t always require hours in the kitchen.
Why These Pear Brie & Caramelized Onion Quesadillas Are a Must-Try
As a passionate advocate for quick, easy, and utterly delicious meals, I can assure you these quesadillas hit all the right notes. With a prep time of just 9 minutes, you can have a restaurant-quality meal on your table in under half an hour. But what truly sets this recipe apart is its unique combination of ingredients and, crucially, that secret weapon: the balsamic glaze. Trust me, you absolutely cannot skip the glaze – it’s the bomb, the magic touch that transforms a good quesadilla into an extraordinary one.
The Culinary Inspiration: A Nod to My Talented Partner
It’s no secret that “the Mr.” in my life is a phenomenal cook. For a long time, he handled the vast majority of our cooking, and his culinary skills are truly impressive. He’s especially the king of sauces, always knowing how to craft that perfect accompaniment that elevates any dish. In fact, a recipe coming next month was entirely his creation, and I had the pure pleasure of devouring every last bite. It’s certainly a joy to have an extra handy chef in the kitchen, especially when I’m busy developing 13-18 new recipes, shooting numerous videos, and conducting countless recipe tests each month.
I bring this up because it was his brilliant idea to pair these quesadillas with a balsamic glaze. And oh, what an amazing idea it was! The moment I tasted it, I knew it was a game-changer. So, are you going to help me convince him to start his own food blog? Please say yes!
A Flavorful Symphony: Pears, Brie, Caramelized Onions & Thyme
These pear and brie quesadillas boast a delightful texture profile: beautifully crispy on the outside, giving way to a super soft and gooey interior. This wonderful contrast comes from the combination of tender pears, lusciously melted brie, and deeply flavorful caramelized onions. Each of these ingredients plays a vital role in creating a harmonious blend of tastes. The pears offer a subtle sweetness and delicate juiciness, while the creamy brie adds a luxurious, savory richness that melts perfectly. The caramelized onions contribute a profound depth of sweet and earthy notes, which are the backbone of this dish.
And then there’s the fresh thyme. Its aromatic, slightly peppery notes cut through the richness and sweetness, brightening all the flavors and adding an essential herbaceous lift. But, as I’ve said, the balsamic glaze is truly the key, key ingredient here. Its intense sweet tanginess acts as the perfect counterpoint, bringing out every subtle flavor in the quesadillas. It’s like the “cherry on top” that ties everything together into a cohesive, unforgettable dish. Please, I implore you, do not leave it out! It’s surprisingly easy to make when you let it reduce slowly and steadily, and the payoff is absolutely worth every single minute. PRO TIP: I always make extra and drizzle it on, well, pretty much everything!
Crafting the Perfect Caramelized Onions (Quick Method)
While true, slow-cooked caramelized onions can take upwards of an hour, this recipe employs a clever shortcut that delivers deeply sweet and tender onions in a fraction of the time, ensuring you can still enjoy this gourmet meal within 30 minutes. The trick is to use medium-high heat initially to get them sizzling, then reduce it to medium to prevent burning, adding a splash of water if the pan dries out. This method ensures the onions achieve that soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich, golden-brown color without the extensive wait. They provide a foundational sweetness that beautifully balances the tartness of the pear and the richness of the brie, making them an indispensable component of these quesadillas.
The Magic of Balsamic Glaze: A Simple Secret Weapon
The balsamic glaze isn’t just an optional topping; it’s a flavor enhancer that elevates the entire dish. Made with balsamic vinegar, a touch of sugar (coconut, cane, or sucanat), and a pinch of salt and pepper, it’s simmered down to a thick, syrupy consistency. This reduction process concentrates its flavors, transforming it into a luxurious, sweet, and tangy drizzle. It complements the creamy brie, the sweet pears, and the savory onions in a way that nothing else can. The deep, dark glaze also adds an appealing visual contrast, making your quesadillas look as gourmet as they taste. Don’t be afraid to make a little extra; it’s fantastic on salads, roasted vegetables, and even fresh fruit!
Assembling and Cooking Your Quesadillas for Perfection
The assembly process for these quesadillas is straightforward, yet key to their success. Starting with a base of fresh tortillas, you layer the delicate pear slices, fragrant thyme, creamy brie, and finally, the rich caramelized onions. For cooking, a pan over medium-high heat or a mini grill works wonders. The goal is a golden-brown, crispy exterior and a molten, cheesy interior. Cook each side for about 3 minutes until perfectly crisp. For an easier flip, especially with larger quesadillas, you can always spread the ingredients on half a tortilla and fold it over, creating two half-moon quesadillas instead of one large one. Once cooked, a pizza cutter makes quick work of slicing them into manageable wedges, ready for that final, crucial drizzle of balsamic glaze.
P.S. Here are some of the items I used to make this recipe if you’d like to use them too:
| WHAT YOU’LL NEED // SHOP MY FAVORITE INGREDIENTS & PREP PRODUCTS |
Serving Suggestions and Variations
These Pear Brie & Caramelized Onion Quesadillas are incredibly versatile. They make a fantastic light lunch, an elegant appetizer, or a comforting dinner. For a complete meal, pair them with a simple green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette, or a warm bowl of tomato soup. Don’t be afraid to experiment with variations either! A sprinkle of chopped walnuts or pecans can add a wonderful crunch, while a touch of fig jam could amplify the sweet notes. For those who enjoy a little heat, a dash of red pepper flakes in the caramelized onions or a drizzle of spicy honey could add an exciting kick. You could also try different cheeses like goat cheese for a tangier profile, or gruyere for a nuttier, more intense flavor. The possibilities are endless when you start with such a delicious foundation.
If you try these Pear Brie & Caramelised Onions Quesadillas with Balsamic Glaze, please let me know in the comment section below, or tag me on Instagram with the hashtag #jessicainthekitchen! For more exclusive recipes, follow me on Instagram AND on Snapchat: jessinkitchen.
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Ingredients
Balsamic Glaze/Reduction
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1-2 tablespoons coconut/cane sugar/sucanat
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Quesadillas
- 1/2 medium onion, peeled and sliced thinly and separated
- 1 pear, cored and sliced thinly
- 2 ounces Brie cheese
- 3-4 sprigs thyme, stems removed
- 6 to 8 tortillas
- 1 tablespoon vegan butter or coconut oil
Instructions
Balsamic Glaze
- While the onions are caramelising, In a pot over medium high heat, heat all the ingredients for the glaze and stir. Watch carefully – the glaze should begin to thicken after 5 minutes and you want it thick enough to stick to the back of a spoon, but not to thicken into a glob. It becomes very thick very quickly so watch carefully.
- Once glaze has thickened, remove from heat.
Quesadillas
- Heat butter in a pan over medium high heat.
- When hot, add the onion slices in (the onions should sizzle), and reduce heat to medium so you don’t burn the onions.
- Swirl the onions around to ensure it’s all covered, and allow to caramelise for 15 minutes, stirring once every 5 minutes. The onions should be soft enough to cut through with the spatula, and will be very tender. If the oil in the pan dries up, add water 2 tablespoons at a time to help finish cooking the onions.
- On tortillas or wraps, place the pear slices, then the thyme then the cheese, then the caramelised onions on top. Place the second tortilla or wrap on top.
- In a pan over medium high heat, or on a mini grill, place the tortilla. Heat through on one side for 3 minutes, then flip, and heat through on the other side for another 3 minutes.
- Alternatively, you can split the ingredients equally through both tortillas or wraps and then fold them over individually (so you would have two different ones instead of one combined one). This can be easier then flipping the large quesadilla and produces the same result.
- When both sides are crisp and cheese is melted, slice with a pizza cutter. Drizzle with balsamic glaze.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- This recipe is vegetarian.
- !TO MAKE GLUTEN FREE Use gluten free tortillas like these
- !TO MAKE VEGAN Leave out the cheese or use a vegan cheese.
- Please Note: I’m aware that there is a much more decadent and longer way of caramelising onions, but this method will produce a very similar result in a much quicker time that allows you to be finished in 30 minutes!
Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.