I have two shopping modes:
-speed-walking around the store, pausing only when politeness and common courtesy requires it. This is the “Exactly-what’s-on-the-list-and-fast-cause-I-got-stuff-to-do” mode.
and then there’s
-“Oooh look at that!” mode. This isn’t always a bad place to be. Magical stuff can come from “oooh-look-at-that.”
I was craving some pizza a few days ago, so I went out to get some dough. But when I got to the market, I noticed some pretty cranberries on sale, and they just looked so bright and tart. They were saying, “Hi, Annie! Buy me!” So I did. And um, some other things, none of which included pizza ingredients.
It was like the time last December when I went to the mall to return some pants. I was on my way to the pants store when I remembered my friend Darryl was working the Hillshire Farm kiosk. I went over to say hi, and came away with a mouthful of cheese samples and a big block of smoked cheddar.
This dip came out of those deviations.
The smokiness of the cheddar goes so well with the sweet tart bite of the berries. And since I love spicy things, it had to have jalapenos on top. There is no other way. I was going to go for chipotles, but that would have been too much smokiness.
Did I mention it’s super easy to make? That, um, you need to make this for your next gameday party/stay inside and read all-day-day/family get together? Thanksgiving hors d’oeuvres superstar? That’s you, baby.
P.S. I did return the pants. I might be impulsive when it comes to cheese, but I am fastidious when it comes to clothes shopping. You don’t want it in your closet if you’re going to hate it.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cranberries
- 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 8 oz smoked cheddar
- 1 bottle of your favorite beer
- 3/4 cup pure pumpkin puree
- 1/2 tsp freshly grated garlic
- 1-2 jalapenos (depending on how spicy you like things)
Instructions
- Put the cranberries, brown sugar, and water into a small skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, about 12 -15 minutes. Do not allow liquid to reduce too much. Remove from heat.
- Place the pumpkin and garlic in a saucepan over medium heat again. Stir briefly to combine.
- Add beer to the saucepan, and stir well to combine with the pumpkin.
- Allow the mixture to get good and hot -- you don't need it boiling -- before adding the cheese.
- Add the cheese in handfuls, making sure each handful is melted and incorporated before adding the next one. Again, it will take about 12-15 minutes.
- Remove from heat to serving bowl. Swirl in the cranberries, making sure to get plenty of juice in there. You may not end up using all the cranberries/juice.
- Sprinkle with jalapenos.
- Serve with toasty chips.
This dip looks amazing! What a combination!
Thank you!!!
Now this is a dip I can get on board with! Smoky cheese with cranberries? Woah.
Thank you! I want to eat allll the cranberries this season.