Bar Amá Queso

My husband loves the queso at Bar Ama in Downtown Los Angeles.  It is an addicting appetizer favorite, and super delish when the restaurant adds a scoop of chorizo right in the center of the bowl.

Ingredients:
2 Tbs. unsalted butter
2 1/2 Tbs. all purpose flour
2 cups whole milk, warmed
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 cup grated Monterey jack cheese
1 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed

Directions:
To make the queso, in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.  Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until the flour is thoroughly incorporated, 1 to 2 minutes.  Whisking constantly to prevent any lumps from forming, slowly add the milk.  Once the milk has been added, continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture comes to a boil.  While the milk is heating, in a large bowl, combine the cheddar and Monterey jack cheeses and the cornstarch and toss to combine.

Once the milk reaches a boil, immediately reduce the heat to low and slowly add the cheese mixture, one handful at a time and stirring after each addition, waiting until the cheese is completely melted before adding more cheese.  Once all the cheese has been added, stir in the salt.  Taste and season with more salt if necessary.  Pour the queso through a fine-mesh sieve set over a clean bowl and serve with tortilla chips.  

Recipe from: Bar Amá, Los Angeles
Williams-Sonoma.com