Expert’s Note: Crusty cubes of French bread are dunked into a fondue pot or small electric slow cooker of cheesy melted Cheddar and Pepper Jack cheese flavored with Hidden Valley Original Ranch Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix, roasted garlic, and punctuated with diced tomatoes. Guaranteed to score!

Makes: 8 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 cups (8 ounces) medium Cheddar cheese, grated
• 2 cups (8 ounces) pepper Jack cheese, grated
• 1 1-ounce packet Hidden Valley Original Ranch Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 teaspoons store-bought minced roasted garlic
• 2 tomatoes, peeled, cored, seeded and cut into ¼-inch dice
• 2/3 cup heavy (whipping) cream

Foods to Dip

• Florets of broccoli or cauliflower
• Baby carrots
• Crusty-hard peasant bread cut into 1-inch cubes
• Celery sticks
• Unseasoned breadsticks
• Tortilla chips
• Pita chips

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, toss together the cheeses and seasoning mix. Set aside.

2. In heavy, 4-quart saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Add the garlic and tomatoes and sauté, stirring frequently, until the tomatoes just begin to soften, about 2 minutes.

3. Add the cheese mixture and stir until the cheese is completely melted. Add the cream and stir until smooth. Transfer to a fondue pot set over an alcohol or sterno flame to keep it warm. Alternatively, transfer to a mini electric slow cooker and keep warm. Serve immediately.

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