Tradition

Over the years Brett and I have formed our own traditions, and some of our most beloved center around KU basketball. We watch games occasionally with family (alumni all of us), but most are viewed at home on the couch with the schnauzers, who raise their paws (with a bit of assistance) to help will free-throws through the hoop. We yell, we pace, when things are going badly we leave the room for a few minutes. When we win we cheer and hug, and then call our moms.

This season I made pizza on Big Mondays. In fact we call it Big Monday Pizza. It's assorted meats on a whole wheat crust with extra cheese, and it was pretty damn good even if I haven't been completely satisfied with my dough recipe.

This weekend however, as we stare down the barrel at Michigan State, pizza will not do. We need snack food. Hearty, delicious, perfect-for-stress-eating snack food. So as the tournament cranks up again tomorrow, here is my cheese dip recipe. The ingredients are surprisingly pedestrian, the result definitely is not.

-2 cans Campbells Fiesta Nacho Cheese soup
-2 cans Campbells Cream of Chicken soup
-1 medium block of Velveeta
-1 can Rotel diced tomatoes with lime and cilantro
-1 small can green chiles

In a good-sized sauce pan empty all four cans of soup and stir over medium heat. Cut up the velveeta into one-inch blocks and add to soup, stirring occasionally as they melt to combine. Add the tomatoes and chiles, both with their juice, and stir to combine.

At this point you can toss in anything else you like. I usually hit it with black pepper, a tiny bit of cayenne pepper, and a little cumin. More fresh cilantro (I'm a fan) would be good, as would a splash of beer. Mine is always a little bit different depending on what's around, so do what tastes good to you.

Serve hot with good chips and a well crafted margarita.

ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK!!!