QUESO FONDUE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Rub the poblano and jalapeno chiles with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on a sheet pan and roast, turning a few times, until golden brown and blistered all over, about 15 minutes for the jalapeno and 25 minutes for the poblanos. Remove to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let steam for 10 minutes. Remove the skin and seeds and dice or slice.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a medium Dutch oven over medium heat, then add the flour and whisk until smooth and the raw flour taste has cooked out, about 2 minutes.
• Slowly whisk in the hot milk, then bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture begins to thicken, about 7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and the chile de arbol.
• Reduce the heat to low and begin adding the cheese a handful at a time, whisking until smooth. Taste for seasoning and fold in some of the diced chiles. Pour into a fondue pot.
• Mix the remaining diced chiles with the Pickled Red Onions and cilantro and top the queso with the mixture. Serve with tortilla chips, tortillas or radishes.
• Saute the onions in 1 tablespoon oil in a saute pan over medium-low heat until soft.
• Meanwhile, place the vinegar, sugar, peppercorns, thyme sprigs and 1/4 cup oil in a noncorrosive saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the onions to the hot liquid and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and allow the onions to steep for at least 2 hours, or up to overnight. (If steeping overnight, transfer to a bowl and cover.) When ready to serve, drain the liquid and top with chopped thyme.