Patrick Oconnell
Cheez Whiz is a popular processed cheese sauce that has been a staple in American households for decades. It is known for its creamy texture and cheesy flavour and is often used as a dipping sauce for chips, pretzels, vegetables, and sandwiches. While store-bought Cheez Whiz is convenient, making it at home allows you to control the ingredients and create a unique flavour profile. In this article, we will explore different ways to make cheese dip using Cheez Whiz, whether it's starting from scratch or elevating the store-bought version.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation time | 15 minutes |
| Ingredients | Evaporated milk, American cheese, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, mustard, cornstarch, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, turmeric, granulated sugar |
| Utensils | Small saucepan, whisk |
| Storage | Refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days |
| Serving suggestions | Nachos, cheese fries, crackers, potato chips, raw veggies, burgers, sandwiches, burritos |
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What You'll Learn
Heat a jar of Cheez Whiz in a saucepan
Heating a jar of Cheez Whiz in a saucepan is a straightforward process. First, open the jar of Cheez Whiz and pour the contents into a saucepan. Then, place the saucepan on a stove and turn the heat to low. Stir the cheese constantly to prevent burning or sticking. When the cheese has reached your desired temperature or consistency, remove it from the heat. You can also add in a little milk and stir if the dip becomes too thick.
Cheez Whiz is a popular processed cheese sauce that has been a staple in American households for decades. It's known for its creamy texture and cheesy flavor, and is often used as a dipping sauce for chips, pretzels, vegetables, and crackers. It can also be used as a spread for sandwiches, cheesesteaks, and burgers.
There are many recipes for homemade Cheez Whiz, which typically involve melting cheese in a saucepan and adding various seasonings. For example, one recipe calls for combining evaporated milk with American, cheddar, and cream cheeses, and seasoning the mixture with Worcestershire sauce, paprika, and mustard. Another recipe suggests making a roux with butter and flour, then adding milk and grated cheese, along with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Cheez Whiz can be used as a base for many other recipes, such as adding it to cooked rice, hash browns, or broccoli, or using it as a topping for burgers or sandwiches. It can also be combined with other ingredients to make a cheese dip, such as mixing it with cream cheese, onion, and olives, or with sausage, onion, and pepper.
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Add milk to adjust consistency
When making cheese dip using Cheez Whiz, you can add milk to adjust the consistency of the dip. Start by melting butter in a small saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until fully incorporated. This creates a roux that will thicken the sauce.
Slowly pour in the milk while continuously whisking to prevent lumps from forming. Adjust the amount of milk you add to reach your desired consistency. If you prefer a thicker dip, add less milk, and for a thinner dip, add more milk. Stir in the grated cheese and keep stirring until the cheese is melted and the dip is smooth.
If you are making a large batch, you can adjust the consistency by adding milk as needed. If your dip becomes too thick, simply add a little extra milk and stir until combined. This is also a quick fix if your dip starts to thicken as it sits out. Cheese contains moisture, and prolonged exposure to air will cause moisture loss, making the dip thicker and less creamy.
For a simple cheese dip, you can even just heat a jar of Cheez Whiz in a saucepan and stir in some milk to adjust the consistency.
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Season with cayenne pepper
Cayenne pepper is a versatile spice that can be used to add a kick of heat to your cheese dip. It is a type of chilli pepper that falls between 30,000 to 50,000 heat units on the Scoville scale, which measures the spicy heat of chilli peppers. Cayenne pepper can be purchased from grocery stores, but it can also be grown in your garden.
When seasoning with cayenne pepper, you can add it directly to your cheese dip. Start by adding a small amount, then taste and adjust as needed. This will ensure that you do not accidentally add too much spice. You can also make a cayenne pepper sauce to add to your cheese dip. To make the sauce, you will need cayenne peppers, garlic, vinegar, and salt. First, clean and dry the peppers. Then, chop them up and add them to a pot with the garlic, vinegar, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Allow the mixture to cool slightly, then blend it until smooth. For a smoother sauce, you can strain it through a fine sieve. Finally, add the sauce to your cheese dip until you reach your desired level of spice.
In addition to cheese dip, cayenne pepper can be used to season a variety of dishes. It can be added to savoury dishes such as curry, garlic butter, pesto, Italian herb, seasoning salt, lemon pepper, Alfredo sauce, tomato sauce, chilli, stir-fry vegetables, ground beef, chicken, and salmon. It also pairs well with certain fruits such as mango, pineapple, and corn. Cayenne pepper can be added directly to dishes or used to make a spicy sauce to enhance your meal.
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Make a roux with butter and flour
Making a roux is a simple process that involves combining butter and flour. The traditional ratio is one part butter to one part flour by weight, not volume. For example, use 2 ounces of butter (4 tablespoons) with 2 ounces of flour (scant 1/2 cup).
First, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Be careful not to burn the butter. Then, add the flour to the melted butter and immediately stir with a wooden spoon in a figure-eight motion. Continue stirring until the flour has completely absorbed the butter and there are no dry pockets of flour left in the mixture. This should take around 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Keep cooking the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly, until it becomes smooth, slightly thickened, and small bubbles begin to form. This step ensures that the raw flour taste is cooked out. The roux should smell nutty, and there should be no unincorporated flour left. This usually takes about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
At this point, you have a white roux that is perfect for light sauces like béchamel. If you prefer a blonde roux with a slightly nutty flavor, continue cooking over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the roux turns a pale golden color, which takes about 3 to 4 minutes. For a brown roux with a nutty, toasted flavor, cook the mixture further until it becomes dark brown and very fragrant, which will take about 10 to 12 minutes.
Once you've achieved the desired color and consistency for your roux, you can slowly add a liquid such as broth or milk. The roux will dissolve into the liquid, thickening it into a silky-smooth sauce.
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Add shredded cheese to taste
To make a cheese dip using Cheez Whiz, you can add shredded cheese to taste. This will give your dip a thicker consistency and a stronger cheese flavour.
You can use any shredded cheese you like, but cheddar, gouda, provolone, or gruyère are all good melting cheeses that will combine well with the Cheez Whiz. If you want to make a large batch of dip, you can add a whole block of shredded cheese to your Cheez Whiz. Alternatively, if you are making a smaller batch or just want a hint of extra cheese flavour, you can add a handful or two of shredded cheese.
To incorporate the shredded cheese into your dip, simply stir it into the Cheez Whiz until it is fully melted and combined. If you are making your own Cheez Whiz from scratch, you can add the shredded cheese at the end, after you have combined the other ingredients. First, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Then, whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes. Next, slowly pour in milk while whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Finally, add in the shredded cheese and stir until it is melted and smooth.
Remember, cheese contains moisture, and prolonged exposure to air will cause moisture loss, resulting in a thicker and less creamy dip. So, it's best to serve your cheese dip immediately after adding the shredded cheese. However, if you do need to store it, keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. To restore its creaminess, simply add a little extra milk and stir before serving.
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Frequently asked questions
You can make a cheese dip using Cheez Whiz by heating it in a saucepan and adding in seasonings like cayenne pepper.
You can make your own Cheez Whiz by melting butter in a saucepan, whisking in flour, and then slowly adding in milk while whisking continuously. Once the mixture is smooth, you can add in grated cheese, and seasonings like garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Cheez Whiz is typically made with American, cheddar, and cream cheese. However, you can substitute cheddar for other melting cheeses like gouda, provolone, or gruyère.
In addition to garlic powder, salt, and pepper, you can season your Cheez Whiz with paprika, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.
Homemade Cheez Whiz should be refrigerated and can last up to a week if stored in an airtight container.
