Jutting off the coast of southern Alaska is the endlessly picturesque Kenai Peninsula. Dotted with quaint Alaskan cities, crossed by rivers full of king salmon and boasting views of snow-capped mountains, it’s generally known as “Alaska’s Playground” for a purpose. It’s right here the place, in a city simply subsequent to the town of Kenai, sits Echo Lake Meats, the meals market credited with creating considered one of Alaska’s finest recipes: Kenai dip.

Alaskans love Kenai dip. They stay in a giant state the place it’s not all the time possible to go to Echo Lake Meats each time the craving strikes, although. Fortunately, whether or not you reside in Alaska or not, it’s straightforward to make this well-known dip proper at dwelling.

What’s Kenai dip?

Kenai dip is a tacky, smoky, spicy dip from the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. It begins with a mix of mayonnaise, crunchy diced jalapenos and some smoky and pungent spices. Shredded cheddar cheese is blended in on the finish to maintain the lengthy shreds intact. That’s it!

This regional delicacy is a well-liked appetizer for cookouts, tenting meals, potlucks, picnics and another event the place you may take a cooler and a bag of Juanita’s tortilla chips.

Elements for Kenai Dip

• Diced jalapeno peppers: Take away the seeds, then finely cube the jalapenos (you may hold the seeds for added spice). In case you actually like an additional kick of warmth, purchase one other jalapeno and reduce it into rounds to garnish the Kenai dip.
• Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise is the tangy, wealthy and creamy base in genuine Kenai dip.
• Garlic powder: This pungent seasoning provides the style of garlic with out the overwhelming sharpness of uncooked garlic.
• Paprika: Paprika provides a contact of spice. Use smoked paprika in case you like your Kenai dip a little bit smoky (most Alaskans do!).
• Cheddar cheese: Shred cheddar cheese utilizing the most important holes on a field grater.
• Chips or crackers: Serve Kenai dip with chips or crackers, simply as you’ll another dip. In Alaska, essentially the most beloved chips for Kenai dip are Juanita’s tortilla chips, that are bought nationwide underneath the identify Juantonio’s.

Instructions

Step 1: Make the bottom of the dip

Add the diced jalapeno peppers to a big bowl with mayonnaise, garlic powder, and paprika.

Step 2: Add the cheddar cheese

Stir within the cheddar cheese till the dip is effectively mixed.

Editor’s Tip: We prefer to hold this as a separate step as a result of the cheese shreds ought to stay as intact as doable for genuine Kenai dip. Overstirring will break the shreds.

Step 3: End and serve

If desired, prime the Kenai cheese dip with further jalapenos. Serve this tangy, tacky dip with chips or crackers.

Editor’s Tip: Many Alaskans desire to eat this dip well-chilled. For an genuine expertise, cowl the dip and pop it within the fridge for a number of hours earlier than having fun with it.

JOSH RINK FOR TASTE OF HOME

Recipe Variations

• Make it smoky: In case you love a smokier dip, strive including a contact of liquid smoke. At all times begin small, then style and assess. You’ll be able to all the time add extra, however you may’t take it away as soon as it’s in there!
• Add extra taste: Dig round your spice cupboard for different seasonings. Onion powder, cayenne pepper and crushed pink pepper flakes are common additions.
• Go egg-free: Avoiding eggs? Swap bitter cream for the mayonnaise. Skinny out the bitter cream a bit with some water, simply till it reaches a mayo-like consistency.
• Drizzle with sizzling honey: That is completely nontraditional, however drizzle a little bit sizzling honey in your Kenai dip. Attempt a small portion first and be sure to prefer it earlier than you drizzle it over the remainder of the dip.

Tips on how to Retailer Kenai Dip

Maintain the Kenai dip in an hermetic container. It may well final for as much as one week within the fridge.

Are you able to make Kenai dip forward of time?

Sure, in actual fact, you ought to make the Kenai cheese dip forward of time. It tastes finest after it has chilled within the fridge for a bit. The flavors mingle, and the dip is essentially the most flavorful when served chilly. Make the Kenai dip a day earlier than serving it.

Kenai Dip Suggestions

JOSH RINK FOR TASTE OF HOME

How do you serve Kenai dip?

Serve Kenai dip chilly from the fridge with corn chips, tortilla chips, jalapeno-flavored kettle-cooked potato chips, crisp veggies or crackers. Alaskans swear by Juanita’s tortilla chips, that are bought nationwide underneath the identify Juantonio’s. Kenai dip is the proper Tremendous Bowl social gathering meals or potluck dish.

However Kenai dip doesn’t have to remain in its one type; it’s versatile, identical to pimiento cheese within the American South. Use Kenai dip because the filling in a grilled cheese sandwich or because the melty, tacky topping on a sizzling, juicy burger. You can even load it on a baked potato, in a sandwich or on a bagel.

Why is it finest to grate the cheese contemporary from the block for Kenai dip?

At all times grate your individual cheese contemporary from the block, whether or not for Kenai dip or another recipe with shredded cheese. Bagged shredded cheese incorporates cellulose, an anti-caking agent that impacts the flavour and texture of the cheese. For essentially the most genuine Kenai dip taste, all the time grate your cheese contemporary off the block.

Do you warmth up Kenai dip?

Usually, no, you don’t warmth up Kenai dip. Alaskans prefer to take pleasure in this delicacy chilly from the fridge. Nevertheless, you may warmth Kenai dip when it’s used because the filling for a grilled cheese or on a burger.

Loading Fashionable within the Group

Kenai dip is an Alaskan dish flavored primarily with jalapenos and cheddar cheese. Serve it as a dip, because the identify implies, or strive it slathered on a burger. —Margaret Knoebel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin