June’s recipes are centered around dairy products
Colorado Proud is a Colorado Department of Agriculture program that promotes food and agricultural products grown, raised or manufactured in Colorado. The program has over 3,000 members including growers, processors, schools, restaurants and retailers across Colorado. June’s recipe is Street Corn Queso. (Photo provided)
BROOMFIELD, Colo. — June is Dairy Month, a month celebrating the delicious and nutritious products made from milk. Dairy plays an essential role in our diet and offers a variety of benefits, including high-quality protein, calcium and vitamins.
According to nutrition experts, dairy has many health benefits and is recommended as part of a healthy diet in the 2020-25 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Regular consumption of dairy products has been shown to reduce the risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and also promotes bone health and a healthy weight (Dairy Max).
That’s great news because dairy is a versatile and delicious food group. Whatever your preference, from creamy cheeses to smooth yogurt to refreshing milk, there’s something for everyone to enjoy (even those who are lactose intolerant). Featured recipes feature a Colorado specialty (corn) and incorporate dairy into creative new dishes that are perfect for any meal of the day.
This irresistible Street Corn Queso recipe is perfect for parties, family gatherings, or simply enjoying as a tasty snack – a dish that everyone will love. Cheesy and flavorful, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your recipe collection.
Luckily, it’s easy to find a Colorado dairy farm to support on your next shopping trip. Colorado is home to over 100 dairy farms, producing approximately 558 million gallons of milk annually, making it 13th in the nation in milk production (Dairy Max).
Find local growers, farmers markets and local grocery stores near you at ColoradoProud.com.
In the meantime, try this delicious recipe from Ready Foods and, if possible, make sure all of the ingredients are local and/or Colorado favorites.
Street Corn Queso
From Lady Foods
Yield: 2-3 servings
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes
material:
- 16 ounces Queso Blanco (you can make your own Queso Blanco from Isabel Eats or try Stinkin’ Good Queso in the freezer at your local grocery store)
- 1 teaspoon ground Morita pepper (can substitute with chili powder)
- For an extra smoky flavour, we recommend freshly ground Morita pepper, or add more to taste for extra heat.
- 2 cups grilled corn kernels, separated from the cob (bonus points if you use Olathe sweet corn from Colorado!)
- ¼ cup chopped coriander
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- A pinch of salt
- Optional Materials:
- Cotija cheese
- Sliced jalapenos
- Tortilla chips
direction:
- Heat up the queso
- Mix in ground Morita pepper or chili powder.
- Add the corn, coriander, and lime juice and stir. Adjust heat with additional morita pepper, chili powder, or salt.
- Topped with cotija cheese, sliced jalapeños, and tortilla chips – I love using the locally made chips from Raquelita’s.
A perfect wine to pair with this dish is Aspen Peak Cellars’ Pinot Gris, a great white wine for a casual get-together with friends, sharing tapas, cheese, and charcuterie. For a non-alcoholic option, check out the various flavor options from Golden-based Rocky Mountain Soda Co.
For more recipes, visit ColoradoProud.com.
— Colorado Department of Agriculture
