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Chef John's Creamy Queso

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PREP TIME
20 min
COOKING TIME
10 min
TOTAL TIME
30 min
SERVINGS
12 servings
Dinner Tex-Mex
Chef John's Creamy Queso
Ingredients
  • 1/2 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
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground dried chipotle pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 (4 ounce) can fire-roasted diced green chiles
  • 1/2 cup seeded and diced Roma tomatoes
  • 1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
  • 1 tablespoon diced Roma tomato
Instructions
1
Combine grated Cheddar cheese in a bowl, then sprinkle in cornstarch and mix well.
2
Heat butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat, then add minced garlic and the white parts of scallions. Sprinkle in salt, chipotle powder, and ground cumin. Cook and stir constantly until the mixture is fragrant, approximately 2 minutes. Add diced green chiles and 1/2 cup of chopped tomatoes; cook and stir for another minute or so. Pour in evaporated milk, bringing the mixture to a boil. Add the grated Cheddar cheese and stir until it is just melted; remove from heat immediately.
3
Stir in chopped cilantro. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding cayenne pepper if desired. Garnish with the reserved green onion parts and a spoonful of diced tomato.