Chef John’s Queso Dip

Description

I used to make something very similar to this queso dip at the Mexican restaurant I worked at in college, where we called it ‘chili con queso.’ At first I thought it could be thicker, but later I realized the saucy texture was the key to its addictive irresistibility. Instead of too much cheese piled up on your chip, we just get a beautiful, silky coating, and as soon as you finish one, you can’t wait to dip another, and another, and another, until there are no chips left.

Ingredients

  • ½ pound sharp white Cheddar cheese
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced, dark green parts set aside
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon ground dried chipotle pepper
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 (4 ounce) can fire-roasted diced green chiles
  • ½ cup seeded and diced Roma tomatoes
  • 1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk
  • ¼ cup finely chopped cilantro
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste (Optional)
  • 1 tablespoon diced Roma tomato

Instructions

  1. Grate Cheddar cheese into a bowl. Sprinkle in cornstarch and toss to coat.
  2. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic and light parts of the scallions. Sprinkle in salt
  3. chipotle
  4. and cumin. Cook and stir until fragrant
  5. about 2 minutes. Add green chiles and 1/2 cup tomatoes; cook and stir for 2 minutes more. Pour in evaporated milk and bring to a boil. Add the Cheddar cheese and stir just until melted; immediately remove from heat.
  6. Stir in cilantro. Season to taste
  7. adding cayenne if desired. Garnish with reserved green onion parts and 1 tablespoon diced tomato.

Prep Time: 20 mins

Cook Time: 10 mins

Total Time: 30 mins

Servings: 12

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