A Superb(owl) Queso Dip!

Always be prepared to make this dish ... just in queso

I’m thinking back to this year’s Super Bowl Sunday, when I made this queso dip for our family gathering. I’m excited to share the full recipe here, because I’m hoping you’ll make it and love it as much as we do.

The key to its unique earthiness is the ancho or guajillo chile powder. I love buying the readily available dried chiles and grinding my own powder in my coffee grinder. Just be sure to clean your grinder well before and after processing, otherwise you’ll have an extra jolt in both your queso AND in your coffee the next morning!

I also love to place some chopped avocado in the serving bowl before pouring the dip over it, which makes for a wonderful surprise when dipping your chip!

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Slade’s Favorite Queso Dip

Ingredients:

• 8 oz cheddar cheese, shredded

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

• 1 tablespoon butter

• ⅔ cup diced yellow onion (about ½ med onion)

• 3 minced garlic cloves

• 1/2 cup seeded and diced Roma tomatoes

• 1 can (4-oz) roasted diced green chilies

• 1 can (12-oz) evaporated milk

• 1 tsp ancho or guajillo chile powder

• 1/2 tsp cumin

• 1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro

• Salt to taste

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, add cornstarch to the shredded cheese and toss until fully coated. This will make the cheese easier to work with and also help thicken the finished queso dip.

In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, add the butter and allow it to melt. Add the onions and saute them for about 2 minutes.

Add the garlic, chile powder, and cumin, and saute for two minutes. Then add the tomatoes and canned green chiles and saute for one additional minute.

Add the evaporated milk and allow it to come almost to a boil, stirring occasionally. Add the cheese and fold it in until it is completely melted. Turn off the heat. Important: Do not let the cheese mixture boil. Mix in the cilantro and stir until fully incorporated.

Taste test with a chip and add salt if desired.

Carefully pour your queso dip into a serving dish. Garnish with more diced tomato and/or chopped cilantro and serve while warm.

Another idea is to line the bottom of the serving dish with diced avocado. Makes for a nice surprise!

Enjoy!