Cheese is one of those foods that I absolutely ADORE.  I can eat it anytime of the day or night, by the slice, on crackers with mayo or creamy and melted, sandwiches, panini’s, dips…whatever…  and as Robert Earl Keen says “a big old plate of greasy enchilada’s with lots of onions and guacamole salad”….. Oh my goodness, I love cheese…and then there’s cream cheese dishes…oh my, I’m drooling again, aren’t I….sorry.

Anyway, back to that melting gooey cheese.  I wanted something because we had friends coming over, Debbie and Gene, and so I made a couple of these…wonderful variations.  Lots of  great choices.

Start with a shallow baking dish, add one of the following options or whatever your little heart desires and top with cheese.  Whatever cheese you choose, can top the other ingredients or it can be layered.  It’s all up to you.  Bake, microwave or broil till melted ooey,  gooey and cheesy.  Yum, yum, yum… I could eat my weight in this stuff. Perfect party food!!

• Pour a small jar of salsa in baking dish, add chopped onions, jalapenos, garlic, cilantro..or not…then top with grated or sliced Oaxacan Mexican cheese or nacho grated cheese.  Serve with tortilla chips.
• Brown 1 lb chorizo until browned, drain and sprinkle in baking dish, top with onions, jalapenos, etc, top with Oaxacan Mexican cheese, or grated cheese of your choice.  Great with warm tortillas.
• Pour a small jar of marinara sauce in baking dish, top with onions, garlic and chopped basil.  Top with lots of grated or sliced mozzarella.  Serve with toasted garlic bread….OMG…
• Pour a jar of pesto in baking dish and top with tons of mozzarella.  spoon some pesto over cheese. Serve with toasted bread.

 

Tagged: appetizers, cheesy, cocktail food, comfort food, creamy, crispy, dip, easy, fall soup comfort food, Italian, Mexican