Food makes everyone happy – good food that is and anything with cheese.

I use cheese dip as an incentive for the Baker Orange staff on Wednesday nights – it gives them something to look forward to while we toil away on the paper into the wee hours of the morning.

Plus, I like seeing their eyes light up when I’m walking into the newsroom with my famous $8 crock pot. Some of them have started requesting it on a regular basis, which can get expensive for a college student earning minimum wage.

However, it usually makes an appearance at any party we have. Our parties are quite often, though. The staff likes to celebrate every holiday and even make them up sometimes so we have an excuse to bring treats (and so I make my cheese dip because that’s my staple thing to bring).

Wednesday night has infamous meaning to the editorial board. It’s the beginning of another issue and a recipe in itself of putting together all the different ingredients.  Each week we find things we like and those we don’t. We figure out what ingredients mix well and those that should be left in the cabinet, or better yet on the server.

My cheese dip is simple to make because all you need is hamburger, a box of Velveeta, some salsa and tortilla chips. If you don’t eat meat, leave it out.

The hamburger gives us a little boost of energy on Wednesday nights and serves as an alternative to a meal sometimes.

I never leave the newsroom with anything left in my crock pot, so I usually save some cheese dip for myself before I leave the apartment. You might consider doing the same thing if you decide you like the recipe, because it will disappear fast, especially in a room full of college students.

Cheese Dip

Ingredients

• 1 lb. hamburger<br/>• 1 box Velveeta• 1 box Velveeta<br/>• 1 26 oz. can of salsa (more or less to flavor for• 1 26 oz. can of salsa (more or less to flavor for<br/>   personal taste)   personal taste)<br/>• 1 bag tortilla chips• 1 bag tortilla chips
• 1 box Velveeta
• 1 26 oz. can of salsa (more or less to flavor for
   personal taste)
• 1 bag tortilla chips

Instructions

Brown the hamburger in a skillet and drain off the grease then set it aside. While the hamburger is browning, chunk up the Velveeta into blocks and place it in a microwave safe bowl. Melt cheese, but stir it periodically to make sure it’s not burning. To keep the cheese warm, place it in a preheated crock pot then stir in the hamburger and salsa. Add more or less salsa depending on personal taste. Grab a bag of chips and enjoy.