As the years go on, each holiday that I cook for I like to switch it up a bit. Green Bean Casserole is a basic side dish I make for Thanksgiving every year. Yes, BASIC, but delicious. Apparently very unpopular in the Southwest. So... there's that.

It's nothing in comparison to tamales, but it sure does do the trick for my family.

I put this out there on Twitter asking people why everyone hates on the dish, and there were actually some positive responses! It was enlightening.

Whether you're from El Paso or Las Cruces... we can definitely agree on that one.

Listen, it's not for everyone. And trying to convince family members who are already a "no" isn't the easiest thing to do.

However, I'm telling you there is a secret ingredient in mine that makes all the difference and it COULD actually win you over.

Drum roll, please...

Queso!

That's right, who doesn't love queso? Sure, it's not the healthiest thing in the world, but healthy isn't a requirement for the holidays. It could be from the cheapest jar in the corner of the store and it will still enhance this recipe by A MILLION.

It turns out I'm actually not alone on this one:

My recipe DOES IN FACT have queso and I think that means some people here in The Borderland may actually like it. There is one other secret, though. You can't add queso to a recipe that sticks with cream of mushroom soup. You also have to switch it up to cream of potato. Otherwise it won't hit the same.

Here is my super secret southwest green bean casserole recipe. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
(5) Cans of Green Beans (15oz can)
(2) Cans of Cream of Potato Soup (15oz can)
1/2 Cup of Milk
Splash of Worsestershire Sauce
2-3 tbls of Queso of your Choice
(1) Can of Onion Straws (6oz can)
Salt + Pepper

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Add all ingredients (minus the onion straws) into a mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly. Add salt and pepper to taste. Move to 8x10 baking dish and bake for 20-25min. Add onion straws and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

Let me know what you think, and happy holidays ya'll. :)

El Paso Winterfest 2022

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This year, Townsquare Media is teaming up with El Paso Live and the City of El Paso to bring a real ice rink to Downtown El Paso.

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