Ingredients:

• 12 to 16 oz. Crabmeat (from 2 to 3 pounds Alaska King, Snow or Dungeness crab)
• 1 Tablespoon butter
• 1 large jalapeño, seeded and minced
• 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon or lime juice
• 8 medium (8 to 9-inch) flour tortillas
• 8 oz. smoked Gouda or pepper jack cheese, shredded
• 1 jar (10 oz.) artichokes, drained and quartered
• 4 oz. bottled or canned Piquillo peppers, drained and sliced
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley or cilantro
• 1/4 cup chopped chives/green onion

Directions:

1. Rinse frozen Alaska Crab legs under cold running water to remove any ice glaze; pat dry with paper towels. Discard towels. Steam or boil frozen crab in a large pot for 6 to 8 minutes, until heated through. When cool, use kitchen shears to cut the shells open and remove crabmeat. Chop or shred meat, if desired.

2. Melt butter in 10 to 12-inch nonstick pan over medium heat. Add jalapeño and stir. Cook for 1 minute. Add crabmeat and warm through. Stir in lemon juice; remove from pan and keep warm.

3. Wipe out pan; turn heat down to medium-low. In pan, add one tortilla, then layer 2 tablespoons cheese, 3 to 4 oz. crabmeat, one-fourth of the artichokes and Piquillo peppers, 1 tablespoon each of the parsley and chives and another 2 tablespoons cheese. Top with another tortilla, then place a plate (or smaller pan) over the quesadilla. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until cheese melts and tortilla is browned. Cut in quarters to serve. Repeat for remaining quesadillas.

Yield: 4 Servings