Every year about 3 days before the Super Bowl we start getting emails and comments asking when we’re doing a post about football party food. And every year we say, “shoot, ya we should do that!” So this year I actually thought about it ahead of time and put it on our calender so we could dedicate a whole fun week to it. The problem? It happens to be one of the weeks leading up to Valentines day- and as much as I love sporting events and great parties, I love adorably cute knock-your-socks-off heart shaped valentines deliciousness with free printable labels, more. This my friends is why I’m posting this great party dip about 3 weeks before the big event! Interesting side fact: I just read on Wikipedia (the source of all known truth) that Super Bowl Sunday has the 2nd largest food consumption in America, only beat out by Thanksgiving. Amazing!
There are lots of great short-cut dips of this same style. Lots of people like to mix a block of cream cheese with some salsa, and there’s the Rotel + Velveeta dip, and heck, I love this one. This Chili Con Queso is sort of a homemade version of those. It takes just a few minutes to make and we love it. It’s warm and creamy, and it’s got a little bit of a kick. If you want it spicy, just add some jalapenos or red pepper flakes to the mix. I love that you could adjust the flavors to add in things you love. I took it to a Christmas party this past winter and everyone loved it. I couldn’t stop eating it myself!
Start with sauteing diced onions in a little butter
then add chopped tomatoes, green chilis and spices (this is where you could add in extra heat if you wanted to)
Simmer that for a bit
and toss in some pepperjack cheese that’s beenmixed with a little cornstarch
final addition is some cream cheese, which melts right in
And you have a velvety smooth and creamy dip with bites of tomatoes and chilies and the kick of the spices.
Do any of you have the little mini-crock pot? My big crock pot came with this little one and one batch of dip fits perfectly inside! That way you can keep it nice and warm on the table.
Or just pop it in a baking dish. You can always keep it warm in the oven until it’s time to serve, or zap it in the microwave. Definitely a simple crowd pleaser.
Chili Con Queso Dip
Recipe from Better Homes and Gardens
Prep: 10 minutes, Cook: 10 minutes
Makes about 2 2/3 cups
1/2 finely chopped onion
1 Tbs butter
1 1/3 C chopped, seeded tomatoes (about 2 medium)
1 4-ounce can green chiles
1/2 tsp ground cumin
2 ounces pepperjack cheese, shredded (about 1/2 C)
1 tsp cornstarch
1 8 oz package cream cheese, cubed
Tortilla chips for dipping
In a medium saucepan cook onion in butter until tender. Stir in tomatoes, chile peppers, and cumin. Heat to boiling, reduce heat. Simmer, uncoered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Toss shredded cheese with cornstarch. Gradually add cheese mixture to saucepan, stirring until cheese is melted. Gradually add the cream cheese, stirring until cheese is melted adn smooth. heat through. Serve with chips.
