A Latin American-inspired fusion dish featuring tender steak strips, melted cheese queso sauce, and richly spiced rice. The velvety sauce blends heavy cream, cheddar, and Monterey Jack for a smooth texture, while the steak is seared to juicy perfection with a blend of smoky herbs.
For the Steak:
1 lb steak strips (sirloin, flank, or ribeye)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp ground cumin
For the Flavorful Rice:
1 cup jasmine or basmati rice
2 cups beef broth
1 tbsp butter
½ tsp salt
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp smoked paprika
For the Queso Sauce:
1 cup shredded white cheddar cheese
½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
¾ cup heavy cream
2 tbsp cream cheese
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
Optional Toppings:
2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
1 jalapeño, sliced
1 tbsp sour cream
½ cup diced tomatoes
Cook the rice first: Bring beef broth, butter, salt, garlic powder, and smoked paprika to a boil in a saucepan. Add rice, reduce heat, cover, and simmer 15-18 minutes. Fluff and set aside.
Season and cook the steak: Mix steak strips with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cumin. Heat oil in a skillet, cook 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Rest 5 minutes before slicing.
Make the queso sauce: Warm heavy cream in a saucepan. Add cream cheese and stir until melted. Gradually add cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, mixing until smooth. Add garlic powder and cayenne if using. Remove from heat and mix into the rice.
Adjust steak cooking time for desired doneness (5 minutes per side yields rare, 7 minutes for well done).
Whisk the queso sauce slowly over low heat to avoid separating.
Use halal-certified beef broth if required.
Store the rice and queso sauce separately in the refrigerator for optimal reheating.
For dairy-free, substitute butter and cheese with vegan alternatives.
Find it online: https://yumandrun.com/creamy-queso-rice-with-juicy-steak-strips/