Really, there is nothing wrong with Velveeta

by Emily

We spent New Years' Eve with some friends, and I made this queso recipe and took it over in my trusty glass chip and dip serving bowl that was a wedding gift more than six years ago. Let me first say: that queso recipe? You should make it, and then try not to eat the entire thing, if, you know, Velveeta doesn't creep you out. Velveeta doesn't creep me out in the LEAST, but I know it must creep some people out, because Safeway has started stocking it in the refrigerated section of the store, which is COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY. Velveeta is shelf-stable! It can be stored at room temperature! But it is also "cheese," and the idea of warm cheese makes people feel funny. Like Spam does. (I fear NEITHER.)

Anyway, I left my serving bowl there, and my dear friend washed it in her dishwasher like I have done a bazillion times in the last six years, except it cracked this time. And I don't have to go into how AWFUL she feels and how TOTALLY FINE I am about it, but I am a little panicked that Superbowl Sunday is occurring in just a few days and I would like to eat this queso again, and I would like to take it to a party in a very nice receptacle.

Crate&Barrel still sells the one I had that broke, but I don't think I want to buy it again. The glass was thin and felt very delicate. That said, I think it's a wonderful piece as long as you are committed to handwashing. Apparently I am lazy.

2-piece chip and dip, $34.95

Here are some other options I'm considering, and a few I'm drooling over but would be forced to return if my husband found out how much I'd paid. But they're ALL lovely.

 
Clockwise from top left:
Great White Chip & Dip, $45; Acacia Chip and Dip, $26.95; Chip and Dip, $95; Green Bean Plate and Three Bowl Set, $48; Large Whirl Serving Plate, $200; Nito Chip and Dip Tray, $49; Chirp n Dip 2, $55; Recycled Green Glass Oval Set, $19.98

{photo credits: potterybarn.com, crateandbarrel.com, etsy.com, walmart.com, williamssonoma.com}

Comments

[Shoe Lush]

OF COURSE, I love the $200 one. Of course.

P.S. I love Velveeta. I think it is a requirement of living in the south or something.

[Amanda]

I am totally in love with that Large Whirl one, but man alive that's expensive! I mean you would probably need to make the queso EVERY SINGLE DAY TWICE A DAY to justify that. I'd probably go with the Nito.

[Catherine]

No need to accuse yourself of lazy... just blame the product! We handwashed it and the bowl still broke :-( Husband was drying and it snapped in his hands. So he either has hulk like strength (not likely) or the product is entirely too fragile and, in the end, not a good buy. I did like that it was two pieces though, and we continue to use the still intact dip bowl. Good luck in your quest for a new piece!

[Anne]

I like the recycled green glass one!

I am also HIGHLY AMUSED at the picture of the one you had that broke. They couldn't be bothered to peel or cut the carrots, or fill the bowl with anything else. So they were all "whatever, just dump this one pound bag of carrots in there and take the picture."
Hee.

[Maura]

I was going to say the EXACT same thing ShoeLush said. I like the Recycled Green Glass one, as it looks like the only one with a bowl big enough for Velveeta dip. I should also send you the recipe for the bacon cheese dip in pumpernickel bread. Seriously killer (as in delicious and arteries).

[Elsha]

I'm a fan of velveeta myself.

As for a chips and dip bowl, mine is one that I got from my grandma. It was a wedding gift to my grandparents on their wedding day. And when I got it out? Still had a tag on it. In 50 some years of marriage they NEVER used it. Why? Because it was "too nice." My grandma is one of THOSE people. Well, now it can be nice for my chips and dip.

[lifeofadoctorswife.wordpress.com]

Mmmmm.... velveeta....

I have that Crate and Barrel one and you are right - it's much too delicate. I handwash it because I am afraid to put it in the dishwasher. Which means it usually sits on my counter for about a week after we've used it.

[Danielle]

I LOVE the 3rd one. And velvetta. It's a match made in heaven.