Quick and Easy Nacho Cheese Sauce

Whether its game night, movie night or you just want to have a quick snack, nachos are always a go to. But why leave your house to go pay for nachos when you already have the ingredients at home to make them? Forget heading to the store. And who needs Velveta! You can make nacho cheese sauce right at home.  Here’s the step by step recipe in making the cheesiest of nacho cheeses!

Makes About 2 Cups

Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
2 Tablespoons all-purpose flout
1 cup whole milk
8 ounces good quality shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

For Serving:
Corn tortilla chips
Sour cream
Chopped fresh tomatoes
Slice scallions
Pickled jalapeno slices



Step 1:

Melt butter in your skillet.

 

 



Step 2:

Add 2 tablespoons of all purpose flour.

 

 

Step 3:

Add 1 cup of whole milk.

 

 



Step 4:

Add a 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt and ⅛ teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Then stir.

 

 

Step 5:

Add 8 ounces of  good quality cheddar cheese. Stir until cheese melts.

 

Step 6:

Take a ladle and add cheese to your tortilla chips.

 

 

 



Step 7:

Add tomatoes on top of the cheese, and scallions or jalapenos for extra flavor. Serve with sour cream on the side.

 

TODAY.com Parenting Team FC Contributor


Cheese and Pomegranate Stuffed Figs

 

Robiola-Stuffed Figs with Pomegranate
Photo Credit: Maxime Iattoni, 2011

Simple, sweet, and totally indulgent, these figs will be the talk of your party… even though they will be the easiest appetizer to make! Pungent robiola cheese can be substituted with brie, ricotta, or any other soft cheese in this simple no-cook appetizer.

Makes 15 Individual Figs
Ingredients:
1 pint fresh figs (about 15 figs), stemmed
8 ounces of soft cheese, like robiola cheese, rind removed, at room temperature
2 Tablespoons honey
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 Tablespoons fresh  pomegranate seeds
Dill sprigs, for garnish

 

Directions:
Working from the stem end of each fig and using a paring knife, cut an “x”, about halfway toward the base; set aside. Mix robiola, honey, salt and pepper in a bowl.

Spoon filling into a piping bag with a plain 1⁄2″ tip; pipe about 1 teaspoon into each fig. Garnish with pomegranate seeds and dill sprigs and serve.

 

TODAY.com Parenting Team FC Contributor


Bacon Pimento Cheese Dip

Pimento cheese is a staple in the Southern United States, but in the last few years, it has been  gaining popularity outside the South.  Here is an easy recipe where you can make your own pimento cheese spread with a bacony twist. Served with Ritz crackers, this is the perfect dip to be served as a appetizer for any given party.Enjoy!

 

Serves 8

Ingredients:
8 slices hickory smoked bacon
1 cup gluten-free mayonnaise
4 ounces cream cheese
One 4 -ounce jar diced pimentos, drained
2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and minced
2-3 scallions, diced
2 cups extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
2 cups pepper jack cheese, shredded
Kosher salt, to taste

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F.

Cook bacon in a large deep skillet or sauté pan over medium heat until crisp. Transfer to paper towel; allow to cool and crumble.

In medium bowl, stir together bacon, mayonnaise, cream cheese, pimentos, jalapeño peppers, scallions and shredded cheese. Season with salt and pepper.

Evenly spread the mixture in an ovenproof 2-quart casserole dish. Bake for 25 minutes or until cheese is completely melted and bubbly.

TODAY.com Parenting Team FC Contributor