Pepper Jack Salsa Recipes

PEPPER JACK CHEESE STRAWS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Put the softened cheese and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the paddle attachment, beat until the mixture has the consistency of whipped cream, 15 to 30 minutes.
• Sift 1 cup of the flour together with the salt, garlic powder, black pepper and cayenne in a large bowl. Stir in the thyme. Gradually add the seasoned flour to the cheese mixture by large spoonfuls, beating well after each addition. Add the remaining 1 cup unseasoned flour incrementally until the dough is somewhat stiff but still soft enough to be pushed through a cookie press (you may not need to add all the flour).
• Lightly spray 2 cookie sheets with cooking spray. Put a portion of the dough into a cookie press fitted with the star tip and press the dough onto the cookie sheets in long strips that run the length of the pans (see Cook's Note). Repeat with the remaining dough until the cookie sheets are full. Bake, flipping halfway through, until the straws are golden brown and crisp, about 20 minutes.
• With your hands or a sharp knife, break or cut the strips into 3-inch lengths. Use a flat, thin spatula or egg turner to remove the cheese straws from the pan. Allow them to cool on a wire rack. Once they are completely cool, serve or store in a tightly covered container.

HOT MEXICAN SPINACH DIP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• In a medium baking dish, mix together salsa, chopped spinach, Monterey Jack cheese, cream cheese, evaporated milk, black olives, red wine vinegar, salt and pepper.
• Bake mixture in the preheated oven 12 to 15 minutes, or until bubbly.

BASIC PEPPER SALSA

Steps:

• In a cast-iron pan set over high heat, toast peppers until their skin deepens in color and you can smell a toasty aroma, about 2 minutes. Remove peppers from pan and place in a large bowl. Pour enough boiling water over the peppers to cover, and let sit for 15 minutes.
• In the meantime, wipe out the pan, reduce the heat to medium-high, and set the tomatoes in the pan, skin-side down. Cook until the tomato skins are dark and blistery, about 10 minutes, then mash the tomato flesh with a wooden spoon and continue cooking until completely tender and somewhat reduced, another 5 minutes or so. Remove from heat.
• Use tongs to remove the peppers from the water and place in the jar of a blender, reserving the soaking liquid. Add tomatoes, garlic, salt and 1 cup of the reserved liquid. Blend until smooth, then strain through a fine sieve, using a spatula to help you push the salsa through. Taste and adjust salt as needed. Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 5 days.

MONTEREY JACK SALSA

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix together cheese, onions, avocado, tomato, cilantro, chile peppers, olives, dressing, and monosodium glutamate. Serve.

PEPPER JACK CHICKEN

Steps:

• Brush chicken with oil; sprinkle with seasoned pepper and garlic powder. Grill on an indoor grill coated with cooking spray for 4-5 minutes on each side or until juices run clear. , Transfer chicken to serving plates; top with cheese and salsa. Serve with noodles if desired.

MONTEREY JACK SALSA

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients and refrigerate until served.
• Serve with tortilla chips.

PEPPER JACK CRESCENT TWISTS WITH SALSA-RANCH DIP

Steps:

• In small bowl, combine dip ingredients; mix well. Cover; refrigerate at least 1 hour.
• Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease cookie sheets. Unroll 1 can of dough into 11x8-inch rectangle; press perforations to seal. Sprinkle evenly with cheese to within 1/2 inch of long edges. Unroll remaining can of dough.
• Place dough over cheese; seal perforations. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. With rolling pin, lightly roll dough to press layers together.
• Cut crosswise through both layers of dough into 12 strips. Place strips on greased cookie sheets. Press one end of each strip; gently twist 3 to 4 times. Press remaining end to cookie sheet.
• Bake at 375 degrees F for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm with dip.

PEPPER JACK MEAT LOAF

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the egg, bread crumbs, onion, salt and pepper. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Press half of the beef mixture onto the bottom and halfway up the sides of a greased 8x4-in. loaf pan. Sprinkle 3/4 cup cheese over meat to within 1/2 in. of sides. Pat remaining beef mixture over cheese., Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until meat is no longer pink and a thermometer reads 160°. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with salsa if desired.