Queso Blanco (White Cheese Dip)

This Tex-Mex queso blanco (white cheese dip) recipe is easy to make in about 20 minutes, perfectly melty and scoop-able, and irresistibly delicious.

Meet my all-time favorite queso recipe. ♡

Anyone who has followed this blog for awhile knows that excellent chips, salsa and queso are some of my favorite things in the world. And after having made homemade cheese dip about a million different ways over the years, this Tex-Mex queso blanco recipe continues to be the unbeatable gold standard in my book.

It’s inspired by the famous espinaca con queso at Jose Pepper’s, which I was completely obsessed with back when we lived in Kansas City. And true to its name, it’s loaded up with lots of fresh spinach, as well as diced onion, jalapeño, garlic, tomatoes, chiles and cilantro for lots of zesty flavor. It’s also made with my preferred blend of Monterrey Jack and white American cheeses, which I’m going to insist that you use if you want a genuinely melty, creamy, scoop-able cheese dip. (I’ve tested at least a dozen varieties of Mexican and American cheeses when making queso over the years, and have found this combination is key for achieving a melty vs gritty texture.) And it is absolutely, irresistibly, can’t-stop-going-in-for-another-dip delicious.

I’m also a big fan of this queso recipe because it be ready go in about 15 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for easy entertaining. And if you happen to have any leftovers, it even reheats well the next day.

Alright, fellow cheese lovers, let’s make some restaurant-style queso together!

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source https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/espinaca-con-queso-spinach-cheese-dip/

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Currently

Bon día from Barcelona! ♡

I’ve been looking forward to sitting down and writing an update here for ages and somehow just couldn’t make it happen. (Seems to be the case with most of the things on my to-do list right now while chasing a very cute and very speedy 13-month-old around all day!) This morning, though, I’m sitting next to our sunniest window with an iced pink latte in my hand, a snuggly pup in my lap, and Barclay’s out for an adventure with Teo and the pups…so I thought it was time for a chat!

I don’t know about you all, but this spring feels like the first time I’ve been able to get outside and take a deep breath and fully enjoy this beautiful season in years. Two years ago, of course, we were trapped inside our tiny flat all season long during Spain’s strict lockdown. One year ago, we were sleep-deprived zombies navigating life with a newborn during the pandemic. And just one month ago, we found ourselves quarantined yet again after our whole family (and nearly all of our local friends) caught the new subvariant, which stuck around for quite some time.

But today, Barclay, Teo and I are all symptom-free and finally back to feeling better. And for the first time in over two years, Spain officially just lifted its mask mandate this past week…which feels downright surreal. People have been extremely diligent here about masking up during the pandemic, so this is literally the first time we’ve been able to go anywhere indoors and actually see people’s faces (some for the first time ever) in what feels like an eternity. It been so refreshing. And while we all obviously still have a long way to go before we’re completely out of the woods with the pandemic, this spring feels like the recharge everyone in Barcelona has been waiting for. So as people say here, hay que aprovechar…time to take advantage and soak it up!

Our plan for our little familia this season is to do exactly that. We’re actually taking off for Paris tomorrow (our first time there together as a family since we’ve lived in Europe), then I’ll be heading out on a solo trip to see some dear friends in Bucharest next week (my first time in Romania), followed by a long family trip back to the States in May (we’re changing things up and including a stop at my sister’s in Chicago, which I’m super excited about), followed by a number of fun summer adventures around Europe ahead. Our travel-loving hearts couldn’t be more thankful and happy to be getting back out about again. And while we’ve learned over the last year that traveling with a baby is definitely a very different ballgame, we’re pumped to bring our little dude along for the ride too. So excited to have a calendar full of things to look forward to again.

Wherever in the world this may find each of you today, I hope that you are well and that you’re able to soak up a bit of spring sunshine this week. And without further ado, here’s the latest from life here in Barcelona.

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source https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/life/currently-33/

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Whole Wheat Pizza Dough

My favorite whole wheat pizza dough recipe is easy to make by hand or with a stand mixer, it’s naturally sweetened with a hint of honey, and it’s always perfectly chewy and delicious.

Say hello to my favorite whole wheat pizza dough! ♡

This recipe has been my go-to for homemade pizza nights for many, many years now and has become one of our readers’ favorite recipes here too! It’s surprisingly easy to make either by hand or with the help of a stand mixer, and only requires one 30-45 minute rise (conveniently the same amount of time it usually takes to prepare toppings plus maybe a side salad). Thanks to the use of white whole wheat flour, this crust bakes up to be wonderfully soft and chewy with a mild (not overpowering) whole wheat flavor. And best of all, our friends and family always absolutely love it!

I always use a hint of honey in the dough to give it a touch of sweetness. And if you’d like, you’re welcome to experiment with adding in some Italian seasonings, garlic or Parmesan to the crust too.

Everyone needs to have a great homemade pizza dough recipe in their back pockets. So if you’re looking for a healthier one to add to your repertoire, bring home a bag of white whole wheat flour and gather up your favorite pizza toppings. And let’s make some homemade pizzas together!

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source https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/whole-wheat-pizza-dough-recipe/

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Red Curry Hummus

This Thai-inspired red curry hummus recipe is quick and easy to make with the most delicious blend of savory, tangy, creamy flavors.

So many of the flavors you love in a zesty Thai red curry…blended into a delicious hummus! ♡

This zesty dip has become a favorite of mine lately for quick and easy entertaining. Since we make Thai curries so often in our house, I almost always have the basic seasonings (curry paste, coconut milk, limes, ginger, garlic) on hand, all of which pair wonderfully with the classic combination of chickpeas and tahini. All you need to do is simply toss everything together in the food processor or blender and blitz until smooth. And in less than 10 minutes, this flavorful dip will be ready to serve and enjoy!

We love serving ours with crudités, bread (naan or pita), crackers, or any other dippers that sound good. Or of course, it would also be delicious as a spread on wraps, burgers, sandwiches and more.

Let’s make some!

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source https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/red-curry-hummus/

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Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing

This fresh strawberry spinach salad recipe is tossed with creamy avocado, toasted almonds, your choice of cheese and a honey-sweetened poppyseed dressing.

Forever and always one of my favorite salads to make this time of year. ♡

I first shared this strawberry spinach salad recipe here on Gimme Some Oven nearly a decade ago, but it’s one of those classics that I’m certain I will be making for decades and decades to come. Made with loads of fresh strawberries, tender baby spinach, creamy avocado, toasted almonds, paper-thin red onions, crumbled blue cheese (or goat or feta), and my favorite lightly-sweetened honey poppyseed dressing, this salad is always the first recipe I want to make each spring when juicy ripe red strawberries come back in season. And it always tastes like such a treat.

Feel free, of course, to sub in your preferred kind of greens, nuts (or seeds), and cheese. And if you want to add in some protein, grilled chicken, shrimp or bacon are always delicious options.

So grab a pint of the ripe strawberries while they’re in season, and let’s make this gorgeous salad together! (more…)

source https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/avocado-strawberry-spinach-salad-with-poppyseed-dressing/

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Shallot Vinaigrette

This delicious shallot vinaigrette (French vinaigrette) is quick and easy to make and wonderfully versatile.

One of my favorite simple salad dressings that goes with just about everything. ♡

This shallot vinaigrette recipe, also known as a French vinaigrette, is a staple we turn to regularly in our house when we’re looking for something light, bright, and mercifully quick to whip up. The delicate flavor of shallots pairs perfectly with fresh lemon juice, garlic and a hint of Dijon. And while it’s one of those versatile vinaigrettes that can play well with a wide range of ingredients, we honestly find ourselves loving it most on the simplest of green salads here in our house so that those lovely flavors can really shine through. (Current fave is a bowl of crisp butter lettuce, sliced cucumber and a sprinkling of Parm…so good!)

It’s one of those back-pocket recipes that’s great to have on hand when you’re needing a quick side salad, yet also a wonderful and classy way to dress larger entrée salads too. So the next time the salad craving hits, chop up some shallots and let’s make this quick vinaigrette together.

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source https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/shallot-vinaigrette/

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Deviled Eggs

This classic deviled egg recipe is absolutely delicious, easy to make, and always a crowd fave.

If you’re on the hunt for the perfect deviled eggs recipe, look no further. ♡

This classic deviled eggs recipe has been my go-to for many, many years now. And I can vouch that it’s always such a hit at gatherings!

It’s also incredibly quick and easy to make, and can be prepped up to a day in advance if you’d like. It can be made with either traditional mayo or plain Greek yogurt (for any of you out there who aren’t big mayo fans). The zesty filling is seasoned with a simple yet delicious blend of fresh lemon juice (or vinegar), Dijon and garlic. And when sprinkled with a pinch of smoked paprika and fresh chives, these deviled eggs are downright irresistible.

I’ve included a number of fun options below for ways to customize your own deviled eggs too. So please feel free to make this recipe your own, and let’s devil some eggs together! (more…)

source https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/deviled-eggs/

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Bourbon Margarita

Bourbon takes the place of tequila in a classic margarita recipe…and it’s surprisingly delightful.

Ever tried swapping bourbon for tequila when making a margarita?

I think you might just love it. ♡

Barclay and I have long been fans of pairing bourbon and lemon together for a good whiskey sour or horsefeather. But a friend recently turned us onto the fact that bourbon also plays beautifully with lime and orange in a classic margarita. And after giving it a try, we couldn’t agree more.

Turns out that bourbon, with its warming caramel and oaky notes, balances out the bright and tangy lime juice and bittersweet orange liqueur in a margarita just perfectly. And when sweetened with a tiny hint of maple syrup (optional, if you like a sweeter marg) and and served with a coarse salt rim, we found each sip of this margarita to be endlessly intriguing and so damn good. If you love bourbon and margs as much as we do, I highly recommend giving it a try!

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source https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/bourbon-margarita/

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