Queso Gravy Recipes

QUESO DIP (MEXICAN CHEESE DIP)

Steps:

• Place cheese and cornflour in a bowl, toss to coat.
• Melt butter over medium heat in a large saucepan or small pot.
• Add garlic and onion, cook slowly for 3 minutes or until onion is translucent but not browned.
• Add tomato (including juices) and cook for 2 minutes until tomato is slightly softened.
• Add evaporated milk and cheese. Stir, then add chiles and Spices.
• Stir until cheese melts and it becomes a silky sauce.
• Add salt to taste - amount required depends on saltiness of cheese used - and stir through coriander.
• Stir in milk or water to adjust consistency (I use 2 tbsp) - the dip thickens when it cools, and milk can be added later to adjust to taste.
• Remove from heat. Serve warm or at room temperature - it will be soft and scoopable even when it cools.
• Store in the refrigerator. When refrigerated, it becomes the consistency of the cheese spread sold in jars that are not in the refrigerator section. Reheat in microwave and adjust consistency as desired with a tiny bit of milk. If you add too much, just put on stove again until it thickens.

CHICKEN-FRIED STEAK WITH QUESO GRAVY

Steps:

• Place the pieces of steak under plastic wrap or parchment paper, and use a meat hammer or the back of a small pan to pound each to a uniform 1/4-inch thickness, roughly doubling its surface size. Heat oven to 200. Pour 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch of oil into a cast-iron or other large, heavy skillet, and place over medium-high heat.
• Combine salt, pepper, cumin and cayenne pepper in a small bowl, then use the mixture to season the meat aggressively, massaging the spices into the meat.
• Put the flour into a large zip-top bag or baking dish. Beat eggs and milk together in a bowl. Shake each piece of steak in the bag of flour or press into the dish of flour, making sure both sides are well coated. Shake off excess flour, dip steak into milk mixture, and then again into the flour. Shake off excess, and place steak on a large plate or sheet pan. Repeat with remaining steaks.
• When the oil has reached 300 degrees, or a flick of flour sizzles in it furiously, work in batches to cook the steaks in the pan, so that they have room around them, probably just two steaks per batch. They will pop and hiss. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until juices start to bubble out of the top of the coating, then use tongs to turn the pieces over gently, and cook the other side 3 to 4 minutes longer, until they are crisp and golden brown. Transfer cooked steaks to a sheet pan, and keep warm in the oven.
• Remove steaks from oven and serve, topping each steak with queso gravy and, if you like, some pico de gallo or favorite salsa.

QUESO GRAVY

Steps:

• Pour the oil into a saute pan or heavy bottomed pot set over medium-low heat. When it shimmers, add onions and jalapeños, and cook, stirring often, until they have softened, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the cornstarch and milk. When the onions and jalapeños are soft, pour the cornstarch mixture into the pan. Bring to a simmer, then lower heat and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the gravy begins to thicken. Add the cheese, cumin and salt. Stir to combine, and allow the cheese to melt, then taste and adjust seasonings.

MASHED POTATOES WITH GREEN CHILE QUESO SAUCE

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a large pot with 2 tablespoons of salt and cover by a few inches of cold water. Bring to a boil, cover and cook until a paring knife inserted in the center meets no resistance.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook 1 minute. Whisk in the hot milk and increase the heat to high, cooking until the milk has thickened and the flour taste has been cooked out, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the Monterey Jack cheese until smooth and melted. Stir in the Parmigiano-Reggiano and poblano chile and season with salt and pepper.
• Drain the potatoes well, and then return to the pot over low heat to dry out. When the potatoes turn white and become dry, pass them through a ricer into a large glass bowl. Gently combine the potatoes with the remaining 6 tablespoons butter and the warm cream, using a wooden spoon. Season with salt and pepper.
• Make a well in the middle of the potatoes and fill with the cheese sauce. Garnish with cilantro and serve.