Foodbuzz Tastemaker: Pace Layered Dip

Okay, I admit it. I'm a salsa snob. I make my own, working off a recipe my mother learned from a friend of ours from Mexico. Yes, it's a state secret, and yes, I'm pretty sure my mom would cut me if I gave it to you. So when Foodbuzz.com sent me 2 complimentary jars of the 'new and improved' Pace Picante Sauce (part of the Tastemaker program I signed up for), this salsa snob scoffed. I rolled my eyes. And I let the jars sit on my pantry shelf for a good long while. One night, making my weekly batch of tuna fish for lunch, I glance up and saw the jar of Pace. Hmmm...how would tuna mixed with Pace taste? I decided to give it a try, but I wasn't ready to commit to blog about it unless I really, really liked it. I know there are critics who relish eviscerating a dish, but I'd much rather extol the virtues of a perfectly-executed plate than waste time and calories on some not-so-good grub.

Here's all you need: a jar of Pace Picante Sauce (I used the mild in this case), a little bit of sour cream, a can of tuna and some Pepper Jack cheese. PJ Cheese makes EVERYTHING better. I figured even if this turned out awful, I wasn't out that much money (the sour cream was already in my fridge, the Pepper Jack cheese and the tuna fish were on sale at FreshDirect.com, and the salsa was FREE!).

I mixed the tuna and the salsa together. It smelled pretty decent, even if it didn't look so pretty. I took a bite, and was pleasantly surprised at how delicious it was. It could only get better from here!

Next step, a thin but smooth layer of sour cream. You could certainly use plain Greek yogurt here if you want. I popped this under the broiler for 3 minutes, just to warm it through and get it ready for the cheesy, delicious topping.

I sprinkled a scant cup of shredded Pepper Jack and popped it back under the heat for another 3 minutes, standing guard because I know how quickly it can go from broiled to burned! I opened the door as soon as the timer went off and let out a low, victorious chuckle...oh, this was gonna be good. Ooey, gooey, cheesy, salsa-y goodness.

I doled out a healthy helping on top of some crumbled tortilla chips and went to town. This might be my new favorite snack dip! It's ready in under 10 minutes, it cost me less than five dollars, and it is delicious! The tuna isn't fishy, and it gives the dip some heft. The pepper jack gives it some heat (I wish I'd remembered the Medium-Spicy jar of Pace was already in my fridge before I made this!), and the sour cream cools it all down again. And to my surprise, the veggies really ARE still crunchy! So help me, I swear they were STILL. CRUNCHY. I'm actually impressed.

That's all for now from this salsa snob: stripped of her skepticism (and in the most delicious way). Thanks again to the awesome people at Foodbuzz.com and from Pace Picante Sauce for the free food and the chance to share it with my visitors!