A legendary queso found at the restaurant Matt's El Rancho in Austin, Texas, named after former Texas land commissioner Bob Armstrong.
Ingredients
For The Meat
8ouncesground beef (225 g)
1/4cupfinely diced red bell pepper (35 g)
1/4cupfinely diced onion (35 g)
1stalk celery, finely diced
1/2tspgranulated garlic powder
1/2tspground cumin
1tspsalt
1tspblack pepper
For The Guacamole
2ripe avocadoes, peeled, pits removed
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/2tspgranulated garlic powder
1Tbspvegetable oil
1small Roma tomato, finely diced
salt to taste
For The Queso
1stalk celery, finely diced
1/4cupfinely diced red bell pepper (35 g)
1/4cupfinely diced white onion (35 g)
1/2cupdiced poblano pepper (75 g)
1/2cupdiced Roma tomato (90 g)
2cupsshredded or cubed American cheese (225 g)*
Instructions
Meat
Heat a pot over medium heat, then add all the ingredients. Cook, stirring, until the onion is translucent and the meat is cooked, about 5 minutes. Most of the liquid should evaporate, but the mixture shouldn’t be dry. Keep warm while you prepare the other components.
Guacamole
Combine the avocados, lemon juice, granulated garlic, and oil, mashing everything slightly. The mixture should be chunky, not smooth. Stir in the tomato and season with salt.
Queso
Bring 3/4 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the celery, bell pepper, onion, poblano, and tomato and boil briefly to cook everything, about 1 minute. Turn the heat down to low, and gradually whisk in the cheese. Heat for a few minutes, stirring constantly. If the cheese seems too thick once all melted, add 1 Tablespoon of hot water at a time until the desired consistency is achieved. When all the cheese is melted and everything is heated through and smooth, remove from the heat so it doesn’t overcook. Do this step right before serving: If you used American cheese the dip will separate as it cools; if you used processed cheese it will develop a skin on top as it sits. Pour the hot queso into a wide, shallow serving bowl. Add a scoop of meat and a scoop of guacamole, about ½ cup of each. Do not mix. Guests should combine the queso, guacamole, and ground beef together with tortilla chips as they eat it.