GRILLED GUACAMOLE AND GRILLED QUESO DIP

Grilled Guacamole and Grilled Queso Dip image

In Mexico, charring vegetables such as corn, tomatoes, peppers and onions is a popular way to add a smokey flavor to salsas, soups, sauces and the like. We used that technique here for both the guacamole and queso. You can also make the rest of the queso on the side burner, if your grill has one. If not, be sure to set the saucepan over high enough heat on the grill so that the mixture simmers. Since queso doesn't reheat well, make it right before you want to serve it.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 40m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

2 jalapeños, halved lengthwise and seeded
1 red onion, cut into 1/2-inch-thick rings
4 plum tomatoes, halved crosswise
3 avocados, halved and pitted
2 limes, halved
Extra-olive oil, for brushing
Kosher salt
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves, coarsely chopped
3/4 cup heavy cream
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature, cubed
1 teaspoon chili powder
4 ounces shredded mild yellow Cheddar
4 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Tortilla chips, for serving

Steps:

Preheat an outdoor grill to medium heat.
Place the jalapeños, onions, tomatoes, avocados and limes on a baking sheet and brush lightly with olive oil. Transfer the jalapeños, onions, tomatoes (cut-side down), avocados (cut-side down) and limes (cut-side down) to the grill. Grill the jalapeños and onions, turning occasionally, until charred and crisp-tender, 6 to 7 minutes. Grill the tomatoes, turning once, until charred and the skins have started to pull away, 3 to 4 minutes. Grill the avocados and limes just enough to mark them, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer each ingredient as it is ready to a cutting board and set aside until cool enough to handle. If your grill doesn't have a side burner, leave the grill on.
Finely chop the jalapeños. Coarsely chop the onions. Remove the skins from the tomatoes (if some of the skin sticks, that's fine) and coarsely chop. Scoop the avocado into a medium bowl and coarsely mash with a fork. Squeeze in the juice from the grilled limes and season with 1 teaspoon salt. Add the cilantro and half of the jalapeños, onions and tomatoes and stir to combine. Set the guacamole aside.
Increase the heat of the grill to high (or turn on the side burner). Place the cream, cream cheese and chili powder in a medium saucepan and cook on the grill, whisking, until smooth and bubbly, 2 to 5 minutes. Whisk in the Cheddar and Monterey Jack in handfuls, letting one melt before adding the next, until thick and smooth. Add the remaining jalapeños, onions and tomatoes and cook, stirring, until just heated through, about 30 seconds. Season with salt to taste. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve immediately with the guacamole and tortilla chips.