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A stone bowl of smooth pale cheese dip with tortilla chips and a cup of salsa alongside

Chile con Queso

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 293

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cup monterey jack cheese shredded from a block
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese mild, shredded from a block
  • 1.5 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • 0.5 cup whole milk
  • 1 each poblano pepper
  • 1 each jalapeno seeded, or left in for more heat
  • 0.5 each onion finely diced
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 0.5 tsp ground cumin
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp cilantro chopped, to finish

Method
 

  1. Blister the poblano and jalapeno directly over a flame or under a hot broiler, turning, until the skins are blackened in patches. Put them in a covered bowl for 10 minutes, then rub off the skins and dice the flesh.
  2. Shred both cheeses from the block and toss them in a bowl with the cornstarch until every strand is dusted.
  3. Cook the onion in the oil over medium heat for 5 minutes, until soft. Add the cumin and the diced chiles and cook 1 minute more.
  4. Pour in the evaporated milk and the whole milk and heat until it steams and small bubbles appear at the edge. Do not let it boil.
  5. Turn the heat to low. Add the cheese a handful at a time, stirring until each addition has disappeared before adding the next.
  6. Keep the pan below a simmer throughout. If it looks like bubbling, lift it off the heat and keep stirring.
  7. Season with the salt, stir in the cilantro, and serve warm. It thickens as it cools.