Beer Cheese Dip
from https://www.eatthelove.com/

This warm cheddar beer dip is fantastic paired with soft or hard pretzels. It also goes great with vegetables like celery, cauliflower or broccoli florets as well as toasted baguette slices or crackers. If possible, use a brick of cheddar cheese and grate the cheese yourself. The cheese that is already pre-shredded is often coated with extra ingredients to prevents moisture from forming and to keep the shredded cheese from sticking together. These ingredients also prevent the cheese from melting smoothly in the dip so it’s not ideal for this recipe.

2 tablespoon butter
3 tablespoon all-purpose flour
3/4 to 1 cup milk whole preferred but any will work
1/2 cup beer one you prefer to drink
2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder not dried minced onion
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 ounce cream cheese about 2 tablespoons
3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese about 12 ounces (preferred hand grated, not pre-shredded – see headnote above)

Place the butter and flour in a large saucepan. Heat the pan until the flour has dissolved into the butter and a paste has formed. Cook for an additional 20 to 30 seconds, stirring constantly with a whisk.

While the pan is on the stove, lower the heat to low, then drizzle a little bit of the milk (about 2 tablespoons but no need to measure it out preciselinto the pan, whisking the paste to loosen it and incorporate the milk. It will immediately be absorbed. Drizzle a little bit more into the pan and continue to whisk. Repeat until 3/4 cup of milk has been poured in.

Repeat with the beer, whisking as you add it. Add the cream cheese and stir until it is melted completely into the sauce.

Whisk in the mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper and salt into the pan.

Add about 1/3 of the shredded cheese (about 1 cuto the pan [?] and stir until it is melted completely. Repeat two more times with the remaining cheese, until all the cheese is added.

Add additional 1/4 cup of milk if the dip seems too thick for your preference. Keep in mind the dip will thicken as it cools.

Pour the cheese into a serving dish and serve with pretzels, toasted baguettes slices, or veggies of your choice. Or serve as a condiment for sandwiches and burgers!

Servings: 8 people