queso dip

now, i'm the first to admit that i am not always the best at planning ahead. and if i do plan in advance, i usually plan too much and something falls by the wayside. 

but this week, i'm on it. the super bowl is sunday and whether you are watching the game, the halftime show, or the commercials, i have the perfect super bowl snack for you. 

i know queso is no secret to most, but growing up in california, queso dip is not something we ate. we have great mexican food, but "tex-mex" is not really something we do in socal. but when i went to college, most of my new found friends were from phoenix. and on my first visit to arizona, i ate a TON of queso dip. it is PERFECT for the super bowl. cheesy, a bit spicy and full of zest, it is sure to be gobbled up in no time. 

queso dip

serves: 4

prep time: 10 minutes

active time: 15 minutes

total time: 25 minutes

ingredients: 1 tbs olive oil. 1 small sweet onion, diced. 1 tbs jalapeno, diced small (if you like it spicy, keep some of the seeds in the mix). .5 cup fresh diced tomatoes. 1 garlic clove, minced. 2 oz tequila. 1 cup whole milk. 1.5 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated. 1.5 cup pepper jack cheese, grated. 1 tsp kosher salt. .25 tsp fresh ground pepper. 2 tbs fresh cilantro leaves for garnish. chips or crust bread for dipping. heavy skillet. ***note*** if you are serving it at a party, and it may be out for a while, you will want to serve it in a container that can be kept warm on the stove, or a mini electric crockpot or chafing dish. 

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start by combining the onion, jalapeno and garlic with the oil over medium heat. season the onion mixture with half the salt, and half the pepper. cook until the onions are starting to brown, about 5-7 minutes.

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add in all but 2 tbs of your diced tomatoes and half the remaining salt and pepper. stir to combine and allow the tomatoes to cook down for 2-3 minutes.

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pour in the tequila and cook it down till almost all the liquid is gone.

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pour in the milk, the remaining salt and pepper and bring the liquid to a gentle simmer.

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add in the cheese and stir until nice and melty.

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top with the remaining tomato and the cilantro.

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serve hot and melty. 

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xo, a

queso dip

serves: 4

prep time: 10 minutes

active time: 15 minutes

total time: 25 minutes

ingredients: 1 tbs olive oil. 1 small sweet onion, diced. 1 tbs jalapeno, diced small (if you like it spicy, keep some of the seeds in the mix). .5 cup fresh diced tomatoes. 1 garlic clove, minced. 2 oz tequila. 1 cup whole milk. 1.5 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated. 1.5 cup pepper jack cheese, grated. 1 tsp kosher salt. .25 tsp fresh ground pepper. 2 tbs fresh cilantro leaves for garnish. chips or crust bread for dipping. heavy skillet. ***note*** if you are serving it at a party, and it may be out for a while, you will want to serve it in a container that can be kept warm on the stove, or a mini electric crockpot or chafing dish. 

start by combining the onion, jalapeno and garlic with the oil over medium heat. season the onion mixture with half the salt, and half the pepper. cook until the onions are starting to brown, about 5-7 minutes. add in all but 2 tbs of your diced tomatoes and half the remaining salt and pepper. stir to combine and allow the tomatoes to cook down for 2-3 minutes. pour in the tequila and cook it down till almost all the liquid is gone. pour in the milk, the remaining salt and pepper and bring the liquid to a gentle simmer. add in the cheese and stir until nice and melty. top with the remaining tomato and the cilantro. serve hot and melty.