Ultimate Queso Fundido with Roasted Poblanos and Savory Sides
Indulge in this decadent Ultimate Queso Fundido, where creamy cheeses melt harmoniously with the smokiness of charred poblanos and the savory goodness of roasted vegetables. Perfect for sharing, this appetizer features caramelized onions, crispy fingerling potatoes, and sweet grape tomatoes, all roasted to perfection. Accompanied by delightful sweet gherkins, crusty baguette slices, and flavorful dried sopressata, this dish promises a burst of flavor in every bite. Enjoy this crowd-pleaser at your next gathering or cozy night in!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
23
Ingredients
Ingredients
Poblano chiles
2 (Charred, skins removed, seeds removed, sliced into strips)
Vegetable oil
1 tablespoon (As needed for sautéing)
Spanish onion
1/2 (Thinly sliced)
Kosher salt
To taste
Fingerling potatoes
12 ounces (Halved)
Fresh ground black pepper
To taste
Olive oil
For drizzling
Fresh thyme
6 sprigs
Fresh rosemary
2 sprigs
Garlic
1 head (Cloves smashed and peeled)
Grape tomatoes
1 lb
Sugar
1 tablespoon
Balsamic vinegar
For drizzling
Butter
2 teaspoons (For sauce)
All-purpose flour
1 tablespoon (For thickening sauce)
Milk
1 cup
Monterey Jack cheese
8 ounces (Shredded)
Provolone cheese
8 ounces (Shredded)
High-quality aged cow's milk cheese
4 ounces (Shredded (e.g., Beecher's Flagship))
Processed cheese
4 ounces (Shredded (e.g., Velveeta))
Sweet gherkin
As needed (For serving)
Baguette
1 (Sliced for serving)
Sweet dried sopressata
As needed (Sliced for serving)
Instructions
1
1. Prepare the charred poblano chiles: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Place the poblanos directly on a high-heat burner, turning them with tongs as they blacken (about 5 minutes). Once charred, transfer them to a bowl and cover with a dish towel for 10 minutes. Peel away the skins, remove the seeds, and slice the chiles into strips. Set aside.
2
2. Sauté the onions: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the thinly sliced Spanish onion, season with kosher salt, and sauté for 25 to 30 minutes until caramelized, stirring frequently. Set aside.
3
3. Roast the vegetables: Halve the fingerling potatoes and combine them in a bowl with olive oil, half of the fresh thyme, rosemary, and half of the smashed garlic. Season with kosher salt and black pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown. For the grape tomatoes, toss them with olive oil, salt, sugar, remaining thyme, and half a head of garlic. Roast until softened and slightly charred, 15 to 20 minutes.
4
4. Prepare the queso fundido: Now, increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees F. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 2 minutes. Gradually add the milk, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens (about 8 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in the shredded Monterey Jack, provolone, high-quality aged cow's milk cheese, and processed cheese until fully combined. The mixture should resemble a dough.
5
5. Assemble and bake: Transfer the cheese mixture to a 10-inch cast-iron skillet or shallow baking dish. Spread it evenly and bake for 6 minutes. Stir the mixture and bake for an additional 6 minutes. The final step is to place it under the broiler until the cheese is bubbly and browned in spots.
6
6. Serve: Plate the finished queso fundido alongside the roasted poblanos, caramelized onions, crispy fingerling potatoes, and roasted tomatoes. Accompany with sweet gherkins, sliced baguette, and dried sopressata for a perfect, shareable appetizer.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ultimate Queso Fundido with Roasted Poblanos?
It is a decadent appetizer featuring harmoniously melted cheeses, charred poblanos, and savory roasted vegetables like potatoes and tomatoes.
Which peppers are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses two poblano chiles.
How do you char the poblano chiles?
Place them directly on a high-heat burner and turn them with tongs for about 5 minutes until the skins are blackened.
How long should the poblanos rest after charring?
They should be placed in a bowl and covered with a dish towel for 10 minutes to make peeling easier.
What is the first step in onion preparation?
Thinly slice half of a Spanish onion and sauté it in vegetable oil with kosher salt.
How long does it take to caramelize the onions?
The onions need to be sautéed for 25 to 30 minutes until fully caramelized.
How are the fingerling potatoes prepared for the oven?
They are halved and tossed with olive oil, fresh thyme, rosemary, smashed garlic, salt, and black pepper.
What temperature should the vegetables be roasted at?
The vegetables should be roasted in an oven preheated to 375 degrees F.
How long do the fingerling potatoes take to roast?
They take approximately 25 to 30 minutes until they are golden brown.
What ingredients are roasted with the grape tomatoes?
Grape tomatoes are tossed with olive oil, salt, sugar, thyme, and half a head of garlic.
How long do the grape tomatoes need to roast?
They should roast for 15 to 20 minutes until softened and slightly charred.
How do you start the cheese sauce for the queso?
Melt butter over medium heat and whisk in flour, cooking it for about 2 minutes.
How is the milk added to the cheese base?
Gradually add one cup of milk while stirring constantly for about 8 minutes until thickened.
What four types of cheese are required?
The recipe calls for Monterey Jack, provolone, high-quality aged cow's milk cheese, and processed cheese.
What is a recommended type of aged cow's milk cheese?
Beecher's Flagship is a recommended brand for the aged cow's milk cheese.
What should the cheese mixture look like before baking?
The mixture of melted cheeses and the milk base should resemble a thick dough.
What size skillet is best for baking the queso?
A 10-inch cast-iron skillet or a shallow baking dish is recommended.
What temperature is used for baking the cheese?
The oven temperature should be increased to 400 degrees F for the cheese.
What is the total baking time for the queso?
The queso bakes for a total of 12 minutes, split into two 6-minute intervals.
Do I need to stir the cheese while it bakes?
Yes, the mixture should be stirred after the first 6 minutes of baking.
How do you finish the top of the queso fundido?
Place the dish under the broiler until the cheese is bubbly and browned in spots.
What bread is served with this dish?
A sliced baguette is used for serving alongside the cheese.
What meat is recommended for the side?
Sliced sweet dried sopressata is served with the queso.
Are there any acidic components in the sides?
Yes, sweet gherkins are served as a side and balsamic vinegar is used for drizzling.
How much garlic is used in total?
One full head of garlic is used, with cloves smashed and peeled.
Is sugar used in this recipe?
Yes, one tablespoon of sugar is used when roasting the grape tomatoes.
What kind of oil is used for drizzling?
Olive oil is used for drizzling over the vegetables before roasting.
Is this recipe suitable for sharing?
Yes, it is described as a crowd-pleaser and a perfect shareable appetizer.
What fresh herbs are needed?
The recipe requires fresh thyme and fresh rosemary.
How is the dish plated for serving?
Serve the queso in the skillet surrounded by the roasted vegetables, poblanos, onions, gherkins, bread, and sopressata.