Low Fat Filipino Bistek Quesadillas (Citrus Steak and Onions)

Low Fat Filipino Bistek Quesadilla

A few weeks ago we tried a recipe called Filino Bistek from the Burnt Lumpia blog.  We didn't have kalamansi or calamansi so we decided to use lemons.  It was very tart and we wished we took the bloggers recommendation of adding water to the recipe.  If you can find kalamansi, please do use it, it makes a difference.  If you cannot find kalamansi, try using Meyer Lemons or regular lemon with the suggested amount of water from Burnt Lumpia's blog.  OR you can substitute the kalamansi and soy sauce with a ponzu sauce if you are able to find some..it tastes very similar to our sugar free yuzu ponzu sauce.   Where ever you are in the world, using the equivalent of a lemon/orange tasting fruit would most likely work.

Kalamansi

The first time we made this, the male half of this couple had his serving with rice and the female half had hers plain.  This version is Dukan and can be eaten during Consolidation and probably Cruise since kalamansi is like a lemon.  It's yummy...if you like citrusy things.

A week or so ago, the female half's co-worker offered up some kalamansi!  Wow!  Didn't even realize those were sold here...thought we could only get them in the Phillippines (the male half tried one in the Phillippines).  Our second batch of kalamansi we used for some Filipino Bistek Quesadillas.  We both loved it!  The recipe below is for our quesadillas, but you can use the steak filling over brown rice or with quinoa.

We didn't count this as a Celebration meal even though the fat free tortillas were not whole wheat.  If you have fat free whole wheat tortillas, that would be best.

RECIPE:
Serves 2
Prep time: 15-20 minutes, plus 30 minutes marinating time
Cook time: 10-20 minutes

1 lb. lean steak, sliced thinly
1/4 c. kalamansi juice (or lemon juice) - if using ponzu sauce as a substitute, omit soy sauce, we used approximately 8 kalamansi, but it really depends on how much juice your fruit has.
1/2 c. soy sauce, low sodium
3 cloves garlic, minced or smashed
1/2 lg. red onion, sliced into thin rings (you can use up to 1 lg. onion)
freshly ground pepper, to taste
2 fat-free tortillas
1 c. fat free cheddar cheese, shredded
Cilantro, chopped for garnish (we didn't use this, see note below)

Place the beef, kalamansi juice, soy sauce and garlic in a large zip lock bag and marinate for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.

Heat pan and spray lightly with non-stick spray, heat pan over medium-high heat.  Remove meat from the marinade (reserve marinade) and sear the meat on all sides, approximately 3-4 minutes total.  Remove meat from pan and set aside.  If the pan is dry, spray a little more non-stick spray and add onion rings to the pan.  Saute for about 3 minutes.

Pour half the reserved marinade into the pan with the onions, be sure to scrape up all the goodies in the pan and mix into the marinade.  (NOTE: if you are serving this over rice and would like sauce with your steak, use all the reserved marinade) Bring the liquid to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.  Add pepper to taste.  If the sauce is too salty or too tart, add a little bit of water making sure you do not make your filling too wet for the quesadilla.

Dukan Filipino Bistek - served with quinoa

Add the meat back to the pan and cook for approximately 2 minutes.  While this is cooking, heat another pan (we used a grill pan), spray with non-stick spray and start toasting your tortilla, approximately 2 minutes on each side.  Sprinkle some cheese on half of the tortilla, spoon on half of your Filipino Bistek mixture (draining excess sauce) and spread evenly over half the tortilla.  Sprinkle more cheese over the steak mixture.  Fold over the tortilla so it looks like a large taco, turn your tortilla over.  After the cheese is melted, removed from pan, cut into desired pieces and serve!

NOTE: Originally we were going to have the second batch over quinoa, but a friend gave us the fat free tortillas so we decided at the last minute to make quesadillas...didn't have cilantro on hand, but it would have been a great addition!

Enjoy....we sure did!  We'll also be posting a Korean Quesadilla recipe soon!