Hasperat

From the Star Trek television series  

All you Trekkies will know this one. Hasperat is the famously fiery Bajoran dish that’ll set your tongue ablaze and bring a tear to your eye... If it’s made right. It’s basically a space wrap, but the secret is in the filling, which packs enough punch to make even a Klingon respect your spice tolerance. If you’re feeling extra nerdy, you could always sneak one into the midnight premiere of the next Star Trek movie… Not that I would ever do such a thing. Nope. Definitely not. Hey, look behind you, a Cardassian warship!

Edit: Earlier today, a smokin’ hot Bajoran woman (she said her name was Ro?) beamed into my apartment to inform me—rather sternly—that my Hasperat recipe was close, but not quite there. Apparently, real Hasperat must be brined to achieve its legendary tongue-searing heat. Her recommendation? Hot pickled veggies. Buy ‘em, make ‘em, just don’t skip ‘em. Also, she gave me a look that could vaporize a Cardassian and informed me that the “green stuff” is more like spinach, not alfalfa sprouts. Who knew?

Ingredients

• 2 large flour or wheat tortillas
• 1/2 an avocado, peeled and thinly sliced
• ½ cup shredded jack cheese
• 1 cup spicy kimchi and/or hot pickled vegetables, drained and chopped
• 1/4 cup spinach or arugula
• 3 tablespoons chopped red onion (or to taste)
• 1/2 cup cream cheese
• Sriracha or your hot sauce of choice

Directions

 

1. Wrap the tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for a few seconds until pliable.
2. In a small bowl, mix the cream cheese with your desired amount of hot sauce.
3. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over each tortilla, ensuring full coverage to help the wrap hold together.
4. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the cream cheese layer.
5. Evenly distribute the avocado slices, chopped red onion, spinach (or preferred greens), and hot pickled vegetables on top.
6. Roll the tortillas tightly, tucking in the ends as you go.
7. If desired, lightly grill each wrap on a grill pan for a few minutes on each side until golden and slightly crispy.
8. Cut each wrap in half diagonally and serve.

Hasperat