AliLarter.com

February 2, 2014

Stilton dip with crisp celery

Serves 8 to 10

Ingredients:

12 ounces cream cheese, broken into 1-inch chunks, room temperature
6 ounces Stilton cheese or other bleu cheese, coarsely crumbled, room temperature
2½ tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour, divided
1 cup packed coarsely grated sharp cheddar cheese (about 4 ounces)
¼ cup hot sauce
¼ cup 2-percent milk
¼ cup chopped green onions, white and green parts
Celery sticks for dipping

 

Directions:

Combine the cream cheese and the Stilton cheese in a medium bowl. Sprinkle 2½ tablespoons flour over the cheese and toss lightly to coat. Toss the cheddar cheese with the remaining 2 teaspoons flour to coat in a small bowl.

Preheat the broiler. Combine the hot sauce and the milk in a heavy medium saucepan; bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Add the cream cheese-blue cheese mixture and stir until the mixture is melted and smooth. Remove from the heat. Pour the melted cheese mixture into a broiler-proof 1-quart baking dish. Sprinkle lightly with freshly ground black pepper and half of the green onions. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese mixture evenly over the cream cheese-blue cheese mixture, covering the melted cheese in the baking dish completely.

Place the dish under the broiler, about 6 inches from the heat source, and broil just until the cheddar cheese is melted and starts to brown in spots, watching closely to avoid burning, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the broiler. Sprinkle the dip with the remaining green onions. Serve immediately with celery sticks for dipping.