Moe’s Queso Dip Uncovered
Contrary to what a majority of recipes on this blog may imply, I’m not vegan.
Case in point:
Queso dip.
I think it’s a great way to eat, and 95% of the time, I do end up eating that way. Vegan, that is. However, the label “vegan” leaves out one very important component of a healthy diet: lack of freedom. I don’t like restriction. I like to be able to choose what I eat with each bite.
To me, healthy eating is two things:
1) Eating for health
2) Eating for enjoyment
And there’s easily room for both.
Take for example my love of Moe’s nachos. The husband and I both love Moe’s carryout, and often turn to it on football days, after long trips, or just when we feel like a treat. There’s nothing like the delicious cheesiness that is Mexican queso, especially when it’s smothered all over nachos.
So while I don’t eat cheese on a regular basis {neither my tummy nor my feet agree with it much}, there’s always room for a little queso.
The problem isn’t the cheese, really. The problem is Moe’s has started skimping on their portions. {!!} When you only put lettuce, black beans, and jalapenos on your nachos, you end up going home with a half-full take out box. No bueno.
The nacho-making isn’t the hard part. It’s mastering that gooey, oozy, slightly spicy queso blanco. Well, I’ve finally mastered it.
You can thank me later.
Queso Dip
Ingredients
- 1/4 pound white American cheddar {available at the deli counter}
- 1/8 pound {a couple standard slices} pepper jack cheese {use Monterey jack if you don’t want a lot of kick to your dip}
- 1/4 cup white onion, finely diced
- 1/2 jalapeno, diced
- 1/16 tsp smoked cumin {or regular}
- 1/8-1/4 cup almond milk {or any milk}
- 1/8 cup amber or dark beer {optional..and go ahead, drink the rest;)}
- 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
Instructions
In a small sauce pan, sauté finely diced onion over medium heat until the onion starts to brown. Stir in jalapeno and cook a few more minutes.
Rip the cheeses into smaller pieces and add to pot.
Slowly pour in a small amount of milk and whisk into melting cheese. Add beer if using. Slowly add milk/cheese until desired consistency is reached. Remember cheese will thicken quickly as it cools.
Stir in cumin and olive oil. Don’t skip the oil- it helps it not solidify so fast when you’re using it as a dip.
Equally delicious as dip…
[Tweet “Imitate Moe’s queso dip at home! #copycat “]
…or imitation Moe’s nachos.
[Tweet “Check out this great homemade queso dip recipe!”]
Take that Moe’s and your rapidly diminishing portions. 
Don’t do cheese? Try this vegan queso blanco recipe instead.
If you liked this, try:
Right now on tiny sneakers: the potentially dangerous debate on who has it easier- working moms or stay at home moms. Go weigh in with your take.
