This recipe for The Very Best Queso is handwritten in my oldest and most treasured recipe book that I started, oh, probably about 20 years ago. It has tree frogs on the cover, along with some doodles that I probably drew while I was on the phone with my mom, waiting for her to find the recipe that I had asked for.
Inside are a lot of her recipes; for things like apple pie, vegetable lasagna, her famous roast chicken, chocolate chip cookies; the basics that one needs to master when learning how to cook like an adult human (as opposed to the stuff that’s cooked when you’re a college-age human. Eek.) Also in it are random recipes I found in magazines that sounded particularly great, along a couple from the first restaurant that I ever worked in.
The Very Best Queso
And then there’s this QUESO. In the book it’s titled “Queso a la Stewmody”, since the recipe was perfected by my best friend Jen and her husband Jay, who take queso very seriously. (Stewmody is the combination of their last names) They gave me permission to share it here, and you should thank them for that, because it seriously is the best melted cheese magic I’ve ever had.
I’ve made it countless times over the years, and each time I do, I am amazed at how perfect and addictive it is. I’ve held out on sharing it here since it’s basically all dairy and I try to keep that to a minimum here. But for those of you who tolerate and love cheese, don’t wait another second. Make this.
Looking for more game-day eats? I’ve got a whole bunch, including Chili-Lime Wings, Barbacoa, Chili, Crispy Mojo Pork, and Tostones with Chipotle Aioli.
The Very Best Queso
Make this for any gathering, and you’ll have happy guests.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 cups
- Category: Appetizer
Ingredients
- 2 poblano peppers, (about 1/2 pound)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 large onion, (minced)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons cassava flour
- 2 large or 3 small roma tomatoes, (about 1/2 pound, seeded and minced)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 pound cheese* (grated (about 4 heaping cups))
Instructions
- Roast the poblanos: If you have a gas range, place them directly over the burner on high heat, turning occasionally with tongs, until charred all over. If you don’t have a gas range: Place the poblanos on a baking sheet and place directly under the broiler, turning occasionally with tongs, until charred all over. Once they’re completely charred, transfer to a heat proof bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Set aside. After about 5 minutes, rub off the skins, remove the seeds, and mince. (Resist the urge to run under water to remove the skins, you’ll wash off most of the smoky flavor.)
- Heat the butter in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the onion and the salt and sauté for about 8-10 minutes, or until softened and beginning to brown, stirring occasionally
- Stir in the cassava flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Stir in the minced tomatoes, minced poblanos, smoked paprika, and cayenne. Cook for another minute or so, stirring constantly.
- Pour in the cream and scrape up any bits that stuck to the bottom of the pot. Stir constantly while it heats. Once the cream begins to simmer and thicken, stir in a handful of cheese at a time, mixing until each addition is melted. When you add the last handful, turn off the heat and stir until the all of the cheese is melted. Season to taste with salt, smoked paprika, and cayenne, if desired.
- Serve warm with your favorite chips.
Notes
* For the cheese: I like a combo of (roughly) equal parts jack, pepper jack, and mild or medium cheddar. Chipotle cheddar is great too, if you can find it. Feel free to use your favorite jack / cheddar type cheeses, depending on your preference.
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Laurie says
Just made this and yum!
zenbellyblog says
yay!
Anna S says
OMG This is amazing! I made it tonight for a big group and am so glad I kept some at home before going to the party because they scraped the bowl clean! Thank you so much for such a great recipe! (I live in the UK where poblano chilies are impossible to find so I used padron chilies from Spain and followed the same method of roasting them – excellent!)
zenbellyblog says
I’m so glad it was a hit! I love that you found a good sub for the poblanos 🙂
Christina says
Can I sub the cassava with anything?
zenbelly says
any starch should work! Cassava tends to have more oomph than straight starches so you may need a bit more.
Eva says
LOOKs GREAT, but would like to know whay kind of heavy cream
do you use, Please
Thanks
zenbelly says
Hi Eva,
I just use whatever heavy cream I have, the dairy kind 🙂