Chipotle Cream Cheese Sauce

Chipotle-Jalapeno Cream Cheese Sauce

Total time:  Approximately 20 minutes, plus optional chill time.

1/2 cup onion
1 jalapeno
2 cloves garlic
3/4 c heavy cream
2 T cream cheese, softened
1-2 T butter
1 T olive oil
1 T ground chipotle powder
1 T tomato paste
1 T red wine vinegar
1 T brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp cumin

Mince onion, jalapeno, and garlic separately or together.

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and saute onions until they start to turn clear. Add the jalapeno and garlic and saute until soft. Add all of the other remaining ingredients except cream and cream cheese. Mix until smooth.

Reduce heat to low. Slowly add cream cheese, mix until smooth. Slowly add the cream. Simmer on low for 5 minutes.

Serve warm or chilled. If you plan to use this as a marinade, chill completely before use.

Make it a dip: Add 1/2 cup shredded cheese at the end and mix well.