Help solving the question of the mystery dips

Okay...

the Ranch thread got me thinking about two different dips I have had in the past that I have always wondered.. what is in them and how do you make them.

The first is the queso cheesey dip you can get at many Mexican places in the USA... sometimes it's touted as the mild dip and can have a tangy taste which I can't quite place and it's served warm. It's not just cheese that's for sure.

The other is what many Indian restuarants in the UK and even in the USA serve with poppadums.  Usually, there is a mango chutney, raita, lime pickle and onion relish type.  Often though the raita is replaced by some mango-y yogurty one that is lovely, but when I have tried mixing the two things (mango chutney and thick yogurt) it's not quite the same.

Any clues? Ideas?

Barring that any really kick butt dip ideas? 

The first is the queso cheesey dip you can get at many Mexican places in the USA... sometimes it's touted as the mild dip and can have a tangy taste which I can't quite place and it's served warm. It's not just cheese that's for sure.

Is it the white queso dip? My brother moved to Montana last year and there's not much in the way of Mexican food out there. He loves the white cheese dip so much that I packed some up with dry ice and sent it to him via UPS for his birthday this year. I spent over $50 to ship a $5 container of dip! It was worth it though.

I found this recipe that might be useful for you.

hmm...cheesy dip that is tangy?? it must be that cheap cheese dip...I think it's the best, actually...not sure where to get it from...it's kinda like buying the cheap mac and cheese boxes (like the ones from Aldi in the US)...it's that tangy cheddery taste...mmmm Think they have the salsa con queso as well that tastes like that...Not sure about the aldi's in the UK, though...

Pamela, you would have to bring up Mexican food!  I have been craving it this past week.  I know Plymouth has Arribas, but it's just not the same as the authentic Mexican I get back home.  Not to mention the fact, they don't give you free chips and salsa. 

Amanda, that recipe looks yummy!!!  I'm definitely going to have to try it.

Pamela, you would have to bring up Mexican food!  I have been craving it this past week.  I know Plymouth has Arribas, but it's just not the same as the authentic Mexican I get back home.  Not to mention the fact, they don't give you free chips and salsa. 

Amanda, that recipe looks yummy!!!  I'm definitely going to have to try it.

I know I am so, so bad!  I have plenty of chips over here lady... come on over!


This dip I am talking about is not orange.. it's white... and I think the tanginess is from sour cream...

*goes to check recipe...


Back.. okay now that looks lovely regardless... going to make some and see... might be the use of sour cream or creme fraiche instead of half and half...I just happen to have Jack Cheese in my fridge..Thanks Amanda!

hmm...cheesy dip that is tangy?? it must be that cheap cheese dip...I think it's the best, actually...not sure where to get it from...it's kinda like buying the cheap mac and cheese boxes (like the ones from Aldi in the US)...it's that tangy cheddery taste...mmmm Think they have the salsa con queso as well that tastes like that...Not sure about the aldi's in the UK, though...

It isn't quite like that...more lime or sour cream tang...  I know some people like the fake nacho cheese, but this isn't it. Though who knows maybe they import it from Mexico in huge vats!   I can't describe it really you just have to go to an average Mexican (run by Mexican) place in the USA ...and not all of them serve it.

The link that Amanda posted is for a white queso cheese dip. 

Yeah I went and saw it...

so you bringing the dip or the chips? 

One website suggests using half cream cheese and half Monteray Jack  or Asadero.

I'm staaaarving. 

didn't someone post a recipe for Queso dip a while back? We need to put these in the cookbook so they don't get lost.

For the cheese dip i've had in mexican restaurants it's mixing velveeta cheese and a can of ro*tel. mmm.


http://www.ro-tel.com/pages/recipes/recipe.jsp?recipeId=100480

I made it more or less.... I used a bit of sour cream and a bit of cream cheese with Monteray Jack and a bit of Over the Moon Mexican I had left.  The one I have had in resturants did not have the onion or chili bits and I'd leave those out for the chip dip.. or use onion powder.. or maybe just cooking the onions down first..

It was darn close though...I did spic eit up a bit with some jalapenos!

It came out nice and my FIL used it for his cauliflower cheese and on his chips and even on his steak!

I know a lot of you love Velveeta, but..... 

I can eat it when mixed in with stuff like Salsa or chili, but by itself the flavor just is too icky. Still to each their own.. if it makes you happy...enjoy!

Yeah I went and saw it...

so you bringing the dip or the chips? 

See you on Wednesday, with a big, huge bag of tortilla chips!!! 

See you on Wednesday, with a big, huge bag of tortilla chips!!! 

God the pressure!!  I'll have to raid the movie theatre for the orange stuff though! 

That's all we are having too.. cheese dips!  LOL!

I *might manage something to go with it!

Hey, I don't mind only having cheese dip and tortillas!  I'll bring some other food for Isabella and you and I can munch down on the dip and chips.