Queso Con Tequila Food

QUESO FUNDIDO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a 9-inch cast-iron skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chorizo and cook, crumbling it as you go, until browned and cooked through.
• Remove the chorizo from the skillet and drain it on paper towels (chorizo is very greasy!). Pour off any excess fat from the skillet.
• Without cleaning the skillet, add the onion and bell peppers.
• Cook the veggies over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until they brown and soften, about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in the tequila, if using. Turn the heat back on to medium-high and cook until the vegetables are golden brown and the liquor has reduced, 2 to 3 minutes more. Remove the vegetables from the skillet and set them aside. Turn off the heat.
• Mix the cheeses together, then cover the bottom of a medium ovenproof skillet with one-third of the cheese mixture . . .
• Add one-third of the vegetables . . .
• And one-third of the chorizo.
• Continue with two more layers, ending with chorizo. Sprinkle the top with chili powder.
• Bake until the cheese is totally melted, hot, and slightly bubbling around the edges, 4 to 5 minutes. Watch it constantly, as you don't want the cheese to get overly melted and hard. But you want it to be sizzling!
• Top with the tomatoes, a sprinkle of kosher salt, and the cilantro.
• Serve immediately with tortilla chips . . .
• Or carrot sticks and cauliflower florets if you want to avoid chips!

TEQUILA-SPIKED QUESO FUNDIDO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chorizo and cook, crumbling it as you go, until browned. Remove from the skillet and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Pour off any excess fat from the skillet.
• Add the onion and bell peppers to the skillet and cook over medium-high heat until the veggies begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in 1/4 cup of the tequila. Turn the heat back on and cook until the vegetables are golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes more. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• Meanwhile, stir the tomatoes and remaining 1 tablespoon tequila together in a small bowl and set aside to marinate for a few minutes.
• To build, cover the bottom of a medium ovenproof skillet with a third of the Monterey Jack and Cheddar. Add half of the chorizo, then another third of the cheese. Next, add as much of the veggie mixture as you'd like (you may have a little left over). Add almost all of the remaining cheese, the rest of the chorizo and then whatever cheese you have left. Sprinkle the top very lightly with chili powder.
• Bake, starting to watch it 4 to 5 minutes in, until the cheese is totally melted, hot and slightly bubbling...but before the cheese starts to firm up/harden. (In other words, you still want the cheese to be extra gooey.)
• Drain the tomatoes.
• Remove the skillet from the oven and top with the spiked tomatoes and cilantro. Serve immediately with tortilla chips. It's best when piping hot! Wrap a cloth around the skillet handle so guests won't burn themselves.

QUESO DIP WITH TEQUILA BY RICK BAYLESS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat the olive oil. Add teh tomatoes, jalapenos, onion, and a large pinch of salt and cook over moderately high heat. stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the tequila and cook, stirring frequently, until the pan looks dry, about 2 minutes.
• Reduce the heat to low. Add the cheese and cook, stirring constantly until fully melted, about 30 seconds. Quickly transfer the cheeese dip to a serving bowl. Sprinkle with the cilantro and serve immediately with hips.

QUESADILLAS CON QUESO

Steps:

• Place masa and salt in a mixing bowl. Slowly mix in water until you reach a doughy consistency. Using 1-ounce from mixture, roll into a ball. By hand, slap the dough and form a tortilla (about 5-inches in diameter, 1/8-inch thick). If you have a tortilla press, place 1 ounce masa ball and lightly press down and make a tortilla. Repeat with remaining mixture.
• Combine the cheeses and set aside.
• To cook tortilla, place it on a griddle or comal that is about 250 degrees F. When tortilla is slightly brown, flip tortilla over and cook the other side. When both sides are almost done, place cheese mixture on 1 tortilla and cover with the other one, making a quesadilla. Cook until the cheese melts. Cut quesadilla into quarters and serve with chipotle salsa and a sprig of cilantro.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Place tomatoes, onions and garlic in a small roasting pan. Coat with olive oil and roast until charred and blistered, about 25 minutes. Let cool. Place in blender with remaining ingredients. Do not puree, but leave a little chunky for texture.

QUESO FLAMEADO

Steps:

• Slice the cheese 1/2inch thick and place in a bowl of ice water for about 5 minutes. Pat the cheese dry and dust with the flour, shaking off any excess.
• Heat a large cast iron skillet, over a high heat. Add the oil and fry the cheese, turning once, until golden brown. USE CAUTION: Standing far enough back so you do not get near the flames, ignite the tequila. Let the flames die out.
• Remove the cheese and tequila to a platter and finish with a sprinkling of lime juice. Serve with pickled chipotle peppers and warm corn tortillas.

QUESO CON TEQUILA

Steps:

• Slow Cooker Method:
• Combine all ingredients, except cilantro, in a 4-quart slow cooker and stir well. Cover and cook on LOW setting for 3 to 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
• Serve hot garnished with cilantro and tortilla chips alongside. Also tastes great over baked potatoes.
• Stove Top Method:
• In a medium skillet over medium heat, add salsa and tequila. Let simmer for 5 minutes. Add cheese and stir until melted. Pour mixture into serving bowl and garnish with chopped cilantro. Serve with tortilla chips.

QUESO CON TEQUILA (CROCK POT)

Steps:

• In a 4 quart slow cooker, combine all ingredients, except cilantro, and mix thoroughly.
• Cover and cook on LOW setting for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally.
• Stir and serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.