HOW TO MAKE QUESO CHEESE DIP RECIPES

Steps:

• Put the cilantro, onions and pickled jalapeno if using on a cutting board, and chop them into a rough mixture.
• Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour, and stir until it is absorbed. Pour in the beer and milk; whisk constantly until the mixture comes to a simmer and thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, and stir in the Monterey Jack until completely melted and smooth.
• Transfer the queso dip to a warmed serving dish, a fondue pot or a small slow cooker set to warm or low. Sprinkle the cilantro mixture on top, and sprinkle with a little chipotle powder if using. Serve with tortilla chips.

Steps:

• Time to do a little knifework: Peel and finely chop 1 small onion. Peel 3 garlic cloves. Finely chop ⅓ cup pickled jalapeños.
• Using a box grater, coarsely grate 8 oz. American cheese (or tear if using singles) and 8 oz. Monterey Jack cheese (you should have about 4 packed cups). Set aside separately.
• Heat 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium until foamy, about 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium-low and add onions. Using a Microplane, finely grate garlic into pot; season with 1 tsp. salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are tender but haven’t developed any color, about 3 minutes. Add 2 tsp. ground cumin and ½ tsp. cayenne pepper and cook, stirring frequently, until aromatic, about 30 seconds. Stir in 1¾ cups milk and bring to a bare simmer.
• Meanwhile, whisk 1 Tbsp. cornstarch and remaining ¼ cup milk in a small bowl until smooth. By mixing the cornstarch with a portion of the milk before adding it into the pot, you greatly reduce your chance of lumps. (You can also shake milk and cornstarch together in small lidded jar.)
• Add cornstarch mixture to pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened (it should coat the back of your spatula) and cornstarch is hydrated—it should simmer for 1 full minute. This is important: If your cornstarch isn't fully hydrated, your queso will be grainy and floury rather than thick and creamy.
• Reduce heat to medium-low and add American cheese. Stir vigorously with a spatula, taking care not to let mixture bubble, until cheese is fully melted, about 3 minutes.
• Add Monterey Jack cheese one handful at a time, stirring vigorously to incorporate fully before adding the next and adjusting heat as needed so mixture doesn't bubble, about 30 seconds between additions and 4 minutes total. After adding all the cheese, stir vigorously to ensure that all cheese is melted, about 1 minute (it will look thick and stringy).
• Remove from heat and stir in 1 Tbsp. pickling liquid and half of jalapeños. Taste and add more salt if needed. Garnish with remaining jalapeños.
• Arrange chips on a platter or baking sheet. Serve queso right out of the pot so it stays warm and can be easily reheated over medium-low heat if needed. If you’re feeling real extra, set pot over another pot or large bowl filled with hot water so it stays gooey for longer.