Cheesy Recipeesy: DIY Chili's Queso Dip

Unless you're living in suburbia, you probably don't often book it to Chili's for a fine dining experience. If you are, be sure to get the Queso Dip appetizer for a cheesy delight. For the traveler, you probably only get to dip your chips at the airport during a delay (that, admittedly, sounded funny).

Figuring out exactly what makes up this recipe is a bit mysterious, but we did dig up a few hacks by copycats who crave the cheese. Some used cream cheese, some used processed mystery cheese, some used unmentionable items like soy cheese. Here's the least disgusting recipe we've found for the Chili's treat, even though their still using canned chili (ew).

What You Need:
16 ounces Velveeta cheese
1 (15 ounce) can Hormel no-bean chili
2 teaspoons paprika
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/2 ground cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

How You Work the Magic:
Cut the Velveeta into cubes. Combine the cheese with the remaining ingredients in medium sauce pan over medium heat. Stir frequently until cheese melts then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minute. Serve with hot tortilla chips for dipping.

The Dish: Crazy Burrito the Size of a Chihuahua

When you venture out to the good ol' Willyburg, Brooklyn you'll no doubt come across the El Loco Burrito. What an insider tells us (insider being the guy who works at our fav chotchkee shop) is that of their three locations, el numero tres (El Loco Burrito III on Bushwick Ave.) is by far the best. Why? Who knows. What's important is they offer free delivery.

Try out their Chili Beef Burrito. This puppy (meaning puppy-sized) delight is packed with Mexican beef chili, long grain brown rice or Mexican rice, pinto or black beans, Monterey Jack Cheese, spices, pico de gallo and sour cream all wrapped in a spinach tortilla for a teensy $5.

Tips from a regular: Try black instead of pinto beans, lay off the sour cream, and if you can, go pick it up and eat immediately. While this may be one of the best burritos in the land, it tends to soggy up pretty quickly. And while this is by no means a dining establishment, watch soccer en espanol and grab a Corona for that truly East Burg/Bushwick experience. And tell them we said hi.

Nacho + Dog = American Dog

At first site of NaChews Tortilla Chips for Dogs -- that's right -- one can only wonder about the moment a marketing person stood up and said, "I got it!", and the team of marketing people at the marketing round table responded, "Brilliant!". But then we came across this fab Photoshop jobby of this dog lying, rolling next to a bag of these cheesy flavored raw hides and we couldn't agree more.

The ol' reliable Eye Witness News Team is reporting that 40% of pets are overweight in America. No idea why, but please read this darling story about Punim, a 19lb. pup who we defend as really just big boned. Lay off the Matzoh Balls... loaded with carbs.

Going...Going...

Bringing you more cheese per square inch, the Nacho Blog may take its time off here and there, but it'll always come back for more. Starting things back up, check out the latest and greatest of eBay nacho-bilia. And bid. Because.

For the Skating Rink Rat

Reel-em-in Headline: "Funacho Nacho Cheese Machine With Potion Control Nacho"
The eBay seller's sales pitch: "Enjoy the taste of Nachos without the mess or hassle of a crock-pot. Bag-In-The-Box Cheese has been the leading way to sell Nachos for the past 10 years."

Buy it Now Price: $320

Our Response: mmm Bag-In-The-Box Cheese


For the Light Bright Fan

Reel-em-in Headline: "NACHOS Mexican Food OPEN Bar Pub Neon Light Sign"
The eBay seller's sales pitch: "More Elegant ! It's Important !"

Buy it Now Price: $18.99
Shipping cost: $16.99

Our Response: Sooo elegant, sooo important