Cowboy Caviar Jalapeno Popper Cheese (Printable View)

Cheese blend with jalapeño, beans, and crunchy tortilla coating—ideal for dipping or spreading.

# Ingredient List:

→ Cheeses

01 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
02 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

→ Vegetables and Mix-ins

03 - 1/2 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
04 - 1/2 cup corn, canned or frozen, drained
05 - 1/2 cup diced tomatoes, fresh or canned, drained
06 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
07 - 1/4 cup jalapeños, diced, fresh or pickled
08 - 1 tablespoon lime juice

→ Seasonings

09 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
10 - 1 teaspoon cumin
11 - Salt and ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnishes and Coating

12 - 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
13 - 1/2 cup crushed tortilla chips

# Preparation Steps:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese. Mix together until smooth and fully blended.
02 - Add black beans, corn, tomatoes, red onion, diced jalapeños, lime juice, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir until mixture is evenly combined.
03 - On a piece of plastic wrap, form the mixture into a log or cylinder using your hands. Wrap tightly and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours until firm.
04 - Unwrap the cheese log and roll it in crushed tortilla chips until completely coated. Place onto a serving platter and sprinkle with fresh cilantro.
05 - Serve with tortilla chips or raw vegetable sticks for dipping. Optionally accompany with salsa or guacamole.

# Supplementary Details:

01 - Let cream cheese stand at room temperature until fully softened for ease of mixing.
02 - Taste the cheese mixture before shaping and add additional seasoning if desired.
03 - A thorough chill helps the cheese log slice cleanly for serving.
04 - Add diced avocado for extra richness or use pepper jack cheese for added spice.
05 - Diced bell peppers can be included for additional color and crunch.