Shrimp Queso Dip

Creamy shrimp queso with three cheeses, tomatoes and green chiles.

Ingredients

• 1 lb 21/25 Shrimp Cleaned and Halved
• 1 cup Milk
• 1½ tsp Sodium Citrate
• ½ lb White American Cheese Cubed
• ¾ lb Velveeta Cheese Cubed
• ¼ lb Pepper Jack Cubed
• 1 Shallot Minced
• 3 Garlic Cloves Minced
• 1 Jalapeño Seeded and Minced
• 1 cup Canned Diced Tomatoes Strained
• 4 oz Can Green Chiles
• 3 Scallions Chopped
• 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• ½ tsp Chili Powder
• ½ tsp Smoked Paprika
• Salt and Pepper to Taste

Method

1. SEASON SHRIMP: Place the shrimp in a bowl. Season with chili powder, paprika, salt and pepper. You can dial the spices up or down to your liking. Add cayenne pepper for an extra kick. Toss shrimp in seasonings and set aside.
2. SAUTÉ SHRIMP AND AROMATICS: Place a large cast iron pan on medium heat. When heated, add the extra virgin olive oil. Sauté the shrimp until cooked through. Remove the shrimp and add the shallots, jalapeno pepper and garlic. Add more olive oil if needed.
3. SOFTEN AND COOL: Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes or until the vegetables are softened. Remove the pan from the heat and allow to cool for a few minutes.
4. ADD MILK AND SODIUM CITRATE: Place the pan back on low heat. Stir in the milk and sodium citrate. When the milk warms after a few minutes, season with salt and pepper and add the cheeses.
5. MELT THE CHEESE: Stir the mixture every few minutes until the cheese is mostly melted. Don’t rush this process. It will take about 15 minutes. Add the tomatoes and green chiles.
6. FINISH: Stir together and allow the cheeses to completely melt. Add the cooked shrimp and scallions. Stir and top with additional scallions for garnish.