Monterey Jack

These burritos, with their creamy spinach filling, are one of the dishes that always elicit customer requests for the recipe when we serve them in the restaurant.

In about 10 minutes, this simple supper is in the oven, and just when you’re tempted by the aroma, it’s ready.

This golden pudding sends out a wonderfully appetizing aroma as it bakes. You can keep it unbaked in the refrigerator for up to a day—just allow for more baking time.

This might be just the ticket when you’re looking for something tasty and really fast.

This is one seriously delicious cheeseburger inspired by the flavors of the Southwest, personal favorites of mine. A luscious, gooey queso sauce made with Monterey Jack cheese takes the place of sliced cheese and makes a secure bed for roasted and diced poblano chiles. Blue corn tortilla chips give the burger an unexpectedly perfect touch of salty crunch. The queso sauce would also be wonderful as a dip for chips or fries.

My love for the ingredients of the American Southwest is pretty well documented at this point, making this burger something of a signature. Cool and creamy avocados and spicy tomato-chipotle salsa make this burger a tribute to that region. Blue corn chips supply the crunch factor that lettuce would normally provide, but in a far tastier, more southwestern way. This couldn’t be called “Nacho” without cheese; sliced Monterey Jack fills the bill perfectly.

From fruit to dairy, the farms of California yield so many fantastic ingredients. Two of my favorites are pebbly-skinned Hass avocados and Monterey Jack cheese. In fact, the two are somewhat similar in their mild taste and creamy consistency. To create a bit more contrast in flavor and texture, I nix simply sliced avocados in favor of a chunky avocado relish made with diced onion, bright leaves of cilantro, fresh lime juice, and a touch of spicy jalapeño.

A classic dish gets a quick makeover. Some flavor combinations never go out of style!

Mushrooms and chiles are covered with cheese that’s been fired with jalapeño, then wrapped in a warm tortilla to make a rich and creamy—and slightly messy—Tex-Mex treat.

Some like it hot, so here’s the perfect spicy fish dish. While it bakes, you’ll have time to prepare corn on the cob and steamed zucchini.

Such a simple meal and such a great taste! The fresh and tangy blend is wonderful by itself or with whatever additions you have on hand. Check your refrigerator for tomatoes, bell peppers, chiles, or corn to add to this versatile salad.

I’ve found people—even those concerned about sodium—often turn to the good old turkey sandwich as if it’s the perfect healthy lunch. This always amazes me, because 4 ounces of your typical deli turkey (as opposed to homemade) have about 1,330 mg sodium, while its lower-sodium counterpart (which rarely has great flavor) still has 680 mg sodium. Two slices of bread have about 320 mg, a 1-ounce slice of cheese has 140 mg, and light jarred mayonnaise has about 120 mg per tablespoon (mustard has 170 g per tablespoon). Add those together, and this otherwise healthy sandwich has over 2,080 mg sodium. If you’re ordering it out, it could have even more. Though I do believe the turkey sandwich has a place in our diets, this is must-know information.

Gina: Just a few minutes on a hot grill will give shrimp and scallions a wonderful charred, smoky flavor, making an incredible filling for crisp and gooey quesadillas. The smoky flavor is echoed in the guacamole, which is made with chipotle peppers in adobo.