Queso Fundido with Avocado & Chips

After the beatdown at Target on Sunday we had a brief respite at the tea shop before heading over to the farmer's market for some more aggravated mayhem.  I swear the moon's over Jupiter in the seventh sign of Adam and Eve (or however that stuff goes) because I cannot seem to catch a break lately. Try to imagine me darting in and out of booths whilst trying to simultaneously protect my achilles tendons from rampant carts and patrons who use shoving for free samples as a way to avoid making Sunday breakfast.  It was not a pretty sight. Thankfully on one of my booth escapes I came face to table with a pile of peppers that smelled divine.  There was a moment of respite amidst the chaos as we oohed and ahhed over their pretty colors and selected some to take home.

Cut to two hours later (when toothpicks held our eyes open) as we relaxed wrist deep in Queso Fundido.  It's the perfect fall snack and ideal for football Gossip Girl.  Speaking of which did you catch that episode tonight?? Looks like it.is.ON this season!  Anyway, I decided to share a fave Queso recipe with you as cool weather and a return to regular programming are upon us.  Enjoy!

Queso Fundido with Avocado & Chips
Ingredients
1C     Manchego cheese
1/2C  Farmers cheese
1t ea   salt, pepper, paprika
1 red  jalapeño sliced
1/2     bunch green onion sliced
1/4     bunch cilantro leaves
1/2 ea avocado diced
3T      milk

Method
Gather all ingredients.  You can use any cheese, but you have to make sure it's not a hard cheese or it will harden once it cools after being removed from the oven.

Grate the Manchego, crumble the Farmer's cheese, slice the jalapeño, green onion and cilantro.

 In a mixing bowl, combine cheeses, salt, pepper, paprika, half the jalapeño and half the green onion.

Once mixed, transfer to a baking dish, and pour approximately 3T of milk over top.

Bake in 400 degree oven for 15 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Let cool for about a minute before garnishing with avocado, cilantro, and the remainder of green onion and red jalapeño.

Fresh out of the oven...pardon the shadow - it matched my bruised heel.

Ta-da!! Fundido and Chips complete with Cilantro Mojito (recipe in future post).

This quick snack was so tasty and easy to make.  I'm looking forward to having it again this week when I settle in to watch a movie in the evening.  If you're not a fan of jalapeños you can leave them out and add a bit more cheese.  I personally love that little bit of extra heat, but I know it's not for everyone.  We hadn't added the avocado on top before, but it was absolutely delish and I highly recommend!!  Hope you all enjoy!  If you get the chance to try the recipe let me know how it works out.  It's always great to get your feedback.