Cultured Palate: Dishes from the American Southwest

2. Chile Con Queso

One of the most identifiable dishes in the Tex-Mex repertoire is chile con queso, a delicious cheese dip. Made with processed American cheese, it’s an adaptation of queso fundido, or melted soft white cheese that’s eaten with tortilla chips. Instead of using Mexican cheese, chile con queso has been adapted to include American cheese and cream cheese, with canned tomatoes and chile peppers added for spice. You can find this cheesy specialty at any Tex-Mex restaurant, and it’s a great example of how Tejanos and Mexican immigrants have changed the United States’ culinary landscape.

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