Queso fundido, a spicy and cheesy fondue-like Mexican dip, is a popular party appetizer that’s typically served at the table with a flambé of liquor. This delicious recipe marries a tequila-spiked queso fundido with an American favorite: grilled cheese. Two Mexican cheeses are combined with herbs, spices, and a good glug of tequila then seared onto crispy bread and served open-face with a spicy pico de gallo salsa. Cut up into appetizer sizes for your Cinco de Mayo party or enjoy as a meal.
Tequila Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Serves: 2
Total Time: 30 min.
Ingredients:
Pico de gallo:
½ cup tomato, seeded, diced
2 Tbsp. white onion, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. cilantro, chopped
½ Tbsp. Serrano pepper, seeded and finely chopped
½ Tbsp. fresh lime juice
1/8 tsp. kosher salt
Queso fundido:
½ Tbsp. olive oil
¼ cup white onion, chopped
1 clove garlic minced
1 tsp Serrano pepper, seeded, chopped
dash dried oregano
dash dried rosemary
dash dried thyme
dash ground white pepper
2 Tbsp. Supremo® Brand or Chihuahua® Brand Mexican Sour Cream from V&V SUPREMO®
1 cup Shredded Chihuahua® Brand Quesadilla Cheese or Oaxaca Cheese from V&V SUPREMO®
2 Tbsp. Grated Sierra® Brand Cotija Cheese from V&V SUPREMO®
¼ cup Tequila
Bread:
1 Tbsp. unsalted butter, room temperature
2 slices Italian white bread
Preparation:
Pico de Gallo: In a small bowl, combine tomato, onion, cilantro, lime juice, Serrano pepper, and salt. Mix and set aside until ready to use.
In a small pan, heat olive oil for 1 minute over medium heat. Mix in onion, and sauté for 1 minute. Add garlic, Serrano pepper, oregano, rosemary, thyme, white pepper, and sauté for 1 minute. Mix in sour cream, Chihuahua® and Cotija cheese. Stirring constantly until the cheese is completely melted.
Carefully stir in Tequila and continue stirring until the cheese and tequila are well combined. Turn heat to low and continue to cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once done, keep warm and set aside.
Preheat a nonstick frying pan or griddle over medium heat for 1 minute.
Butter the pan with ½ Tbsp. butter. Place the two slices of bread on top of the melted butter. Toast for about a minute, then add the remaining butter to the pan. Using a spatula, flip bread slices into the melted butter.
Add half of the queso fundido mixture on each slice of bread. Raise heat to high. Flip each slice, and sear cheese for 10-15 seconds. Remove slices from the pan to a plate. Garnish each slice with Pico de Gallo. Enjoy!
