Dinner/ Lunch/ Recipes

Oh So Tempehting Quesadilla

I’ve been trying to get a little more protein in my diet and since I rarely eat meat, I’ve been eating more eggs, more tempeh, and a little tofu. If you’re new to tempeh, it’s fermented and pressed soybeans. It looks like this. Yeah, not really appetizing.DSC_0873

Let’s look at the front of the package instead. Ah, yes. Much better.DSC_0871-1

And those stats make me happy. 16 grams of protein with 160 calories and no cholesterol. Not too shabby, says me.DSC_0872

I was flipping through the index of Clean Food and saw a recipe for tempeh quesadillas. I didn’t have everything the recipe called for so I improvised.

Oh So Tempehting Quesadilla

First, I cut 1/3 of the tempeh block into cubes and then placed it in a steamer in a pot over an inch of water. I brought it to a boil, then covered and steamed for 5 minutes.DSC_0875

After the tempeh cooled, I crumbled it into a bowl and mixed it with some salsa. Medium, because I was feeling brave. (I don’t do spicy so well.)DSC_0880-1

Whole wheat tortilla + rBST-free colby jack cheese + a little heat in the skillet. Top that with the tempeh/salsa mix and a little more cheese.  DSC_0882

Melty melty. Tasty tasty.DSC_0897

Add a side salad for some color.DSC_0900

And a pup under your chair. DSC_0904-1

And you’ve got a great lunch.

But inquiring minds want to know, do I really have to go back to work after such a great lunch break? (And yes, I do own other work clothes and other workout clothes.)DSC_0906

Have you ever tried tempeh?

P.S. Check out my post-it on Operation Beautiful!

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36 Comments

  • Reply
    Heather (Heather's Dish)
    at

    i just don’t love the texture of soy-based products…but you make that quesadilla look delicious!
    .-= Heather (Heather’s Dish)´s last blog .. =-.

  • Reply
    Jess
    at

    You are too cute : )

    Never tried Tempeh – not quite sure how I feel about too much soy. I read soooo much conflicting information.
    .-= Jess´s last blog ..{functionally fit} =-.

    • Reply
      Teri
      at

      I worry about soy sometimes too so I try not to eat it more than 1-2x a week.

  • Reply
    She-Fit
    at

    tempeh looks interesting. Never heard or tired it. What does it taste like?

    • Reply
      Teri
      at

      um…it’s kind of hard to explain. It kind of tastes like edamame but a little nuttier maybe?

  • Reply
    Lauren
    at

    LOVE tempeh! I know many people don’t prefer it, but I really really love the nutty fermented taste. I actually think I could eat it raw! 🙂

    Love the quesadilla idea!
    .-= Lauren´s last blog ..Playing Dress Up =-.

  • Reply
    Emilyeatsclean
    at

    Great post. I’ve never had tempeh…..I need to give it a whirl. That ‘dilla looks delicious!!! 🙂

    -emily
    .-= Emilyeatsclean´s last blog ..Celebration dinner AND dessert! =-.

  • Reply
    Dana
    at

    Tempeh is honestly the ONE food I do not like. I’ve had it on several occasions and I just cant stand it..
    .-= Dana´s last blog ..Compare =-.

    • Reply
      Teri
      at

      hahaha. Are you eating it plain?

  • Reply
    sarah @ syrupandhoney
    at

    I’ve tried tempeh but I’m not really a fan. It tasted alright but I got ill a couple times after eating it (may have just been a coincidence, for sure). So, I probably won’t be buying it again. I eat meat on the weekends and lots of beans and dairy during the week, so I don’t need it for the protein…but I am with you that it has some impressive nutrition stats!
    .-= sarah @ syrupandhoney´s last blog ..Strawberry Basil Tart for Two =-.

  • Reply
    [email protected]
    at

    thanks for the idea!! i just bough some tempeh (for the first time!) a week or so ago but it’s been sitting in my fridge since i have no idea what to do with it. it might just end up in a quesadilla one of these nights!

  • Reply
    Laura @ youngDCliving
    at

    That’s a really good idea! I’ve never thought about crumbling it up and making a quesadilla with it! I’ve made tempeh before, but honestly wasn’t a huge fan, I think I cooked it badly…definitely will have to try this though 😉
    .-= Laura @ youngDCliving´s last blog ..World’s 50 Best Restaurants =-.

  • Reply
    Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers
    at

    your dog is ADORABLE!!

    i’ve never tried tempeh – it’s on my to do list! looks fantastic to me.
    .-= Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers´s last blog ..“My Dog Likes To Potty All The Time” =-.

  • Reply
    Lauren (Health on the Run)
    at

    Tempeh is definitely something people have strong feelings about. It seems like you either love it or hate it. I’m on the love end of that spectrum (I eat it raw in wraps drizzled with EVOO all the time), but I’ve never actually had it steamed!! I’m definitely making this super simple wrap ASAP!

    Of course my favorite picture is the one of Maizey peeking up at you 🙂 Just can’t get enough of that adorable face!!!
    .-= Lauren (Health on the Run)´s last blog ..What to do the Week of a Big Race =-.

    • Reply
      Teri
      at

      I love it too. I recently ate it in a sandwich with jelly (inspiration from kath). 🙂

  • Reply
    Amanda
    at

    I love tempeh too – out here in Cali we have a restaurant called Veggie Grill that makes tempeh…well….a true tempeh-tation.

    http://www.veggiegrill.com/

    • Reply
      Teri
      at

      I want more details so I can try to recreate it! 🙂

  • Reply
    rebekah (clarity in creation.)
    at

    that’s too funny – i just sat down to write a post on how to use tempeh.

    my favorite way is to use it as a base for a pizza, like a “crust.” i spread laughing cow on it, top with homemade tomato sauce, and cover in red pepper flakes and sauteed spinach. heaven!
    .-= rebekah (clarity in creation.)´s last blog ..ok guys… i never do this. =-.

    • Reply
      Teri
      at

      that sounds delicious! I can’t wait to try that!

  • Reply
    Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter
    at

    I tried tempeh yesterday and absolutely fell in love! That is such a fabulous recipe 🙂
    .-= Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter´s last blog ..An Itch to Scratch =-.

  • Reply
    Jocelyn @ Peace.Love.Nutrition
    at

    I love Tempeh! I tried it for the first time a few months ago- it’s a delicious protein to add to wraps
    .-= Jocelyn @ Peace.Love.Nutrition´s last blog ..Bye bye Splenda =-.

  • Reply
    Jill
    at

    I’ve never had tempeh. Maybe some day I’ll branch out and give it a try.

    But I did get that Clean Food book – I can’t wait to start cooking with it.
    .-= Jill´s last blog ..Happy Hump Day & A Giveaway! =-.

  • Reply
    claire
    at

    I usually love tempeh but have had some bad recipes with it too…this one sounds lovely! I made tempeh tacos for the boyfriend once and he loved it too!

    ahh, your pup…so cute!
    .-= claire´s last blog ..savory days =-.

  • Reply
    Hilary
    at

    Love tempeh! I haven’t had it in a while, so I need to re-discover it. I was on a kick for a while and kinda burned out, but it’s been long enough now to go back.
    .-= Hilary´s last blog ..Toys =-.

  • Reply
    highonhealthy
    at

    I’ve never tried tempeh but I would definitely give it a go. Tofu hasn’t impressed me yet but maybe tempeh will. Yours looks good though!

  • Reply
    Nicole, RD
    at

    I am yet to try tempeh…but I really need to! Is it similar in texture to tofu?

    Puppy is so cute!
    .-= Nicole, RD´s last blog ..Cooking: chore or pleasure? =-.

  • Reply
    Samantha (Food Edu)
    at

    I have never tried tempeh before, I don’t even know if I’ve seen it sold around here. The quesadilla looks delicious, but like Jess said above, I have heard a alot of bad things about eating too much soy. I’d be willing to try it though!
    .-= Samantha (Food Edu)´s last blog ..Working It Out: On the Cheap =-.

  • Reply
    Tiffany @ Simply Shaka
    at

    I tried the tempeh but was not a fan but may have to try it this way. I could eat quesadillas every day for the rest of my life and be happy.
    .-= Tiffany @ Simply Shaka´s last blog ..Nightime Napping =-.

  • Reply
    Laura @ youngDCliving
    at

    I found this blog post on Tempeh! It looks really good. Wanted to share!

    http://www.fresh365online.com/recipes/2010/4/27/jamaican-jerk-tempeh-wraps.html
    .-= Laura @ youngDCliving´s last blog ..World’s 50 Best Restaurants =-.

  • Reply
    Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run]
    at

    Yay, definitely inspired me to joing the OB bandwagon!
    .-= Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run]´s last blog ..Tuesday Two Hundred =-.

  • Reply
    Teri
    at

    @ Laura – that sounds awesome! I think I’m going to make it this weekend. Thanks for sharing!

  • Reply
    amanda
    at

    I have never tried tempeh but I have been reading about the benifits of it! I might just have to try it now 🙂

  • Reply
    Rebecca @ How the Cookies Crumble
    at

    I’ve never tried tempeh but I like soy and I’m not a picky eater so I should give it a try sometime! 🙂 The quesadilla looks super yummy!
    .-= Rebecca @ How the Cookies Crumble´s last blog ..STRESS =-.

  • Reply
    Katie
    at

    Oh, I’m so happy to have this post! I have had tempeh in restaurants, but have never managed to make it taste good of my own accord. That quesadilla looks so fantastic, I will be coming back to the recipe!
    .-= Katie´s last blog ..18 Days =-.

  • Reply
    Megan @ The Oatmeal Diaries
    at

    I recently (as in.. last week) tried tempeh and loved it! These quesadillas are an awesome idea! Oh and I love your post title, “tempehting” made me laugh =P

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