Mushroom and Cheese Quesadillas, or An Ode to the Soccer Moms

On Friday I drove to Florence to have dinner with my roommate's family - and, just like every trip to Florence ends up, we also went to her little brother's soccer game. Lydia and I had a cozy corner to huddle up in while it rained and lots of funny things to laugh at. First of all, I realized that I have been to more high school football and soccer games of Megan's family than any of my own high school or college sports combined. So at this soccer game there were stereotypes galore - making the crowd a funner game to watch than the soccer, at least for me. Late in the game two moms started talking about what to make for dinner on busy nights. "Quesadillas," the confident mom said. "Really? YOU make quesadillas?!" the self-aware, socially conscious mom said, almost denying the fact that she herself made quesadillas, waiting for the nod and then finally conceding that she, too, made quesadillas for her family. And thus the awkward conversation ensued - the one mom, totally aware that making quesadillas on a busy night is practical, cheap, tasty, and smart, the other mom timid, needing assurance that making quesadillas for your children once a week isn't considered a social or parental disgrace in their community.

So, they inspired me. I need something quick, practical, cheap, tasty and affording easy creativity. Not just this week, but every week. So I have brought back the childhood favorite, the after-school comfort food. Today, cheese and sauteed mushrooms. Next week, tomatoes? Cilantro? Spinach? What do you put in your quesadillas?