The Mountain

This is a Mexican appetizer that is addicting. When it is completed, it looks like a snowy mountain, thus the name. It is a large appetizer that works great for parties. This does not include time for chilling. I got this from my friend Karen when I lived in California. Update (5/31/2013): I realized after a recent review and myself also making this recipe for a Memorial Day cookout, that I make my own changes to the recipe that I didn't add/edit original recipe when posting, so I have now added corrections to the onion/tomato mixture and amounts of cheese.

• Ready In: 20 mins
• Serves: 12-14

Ingredients

• 2  large tomatoes, diced
• 1  onion, minced
• 1⁄2 lb monterey jack cheese, shredded or 2  cups monterey jack cheese
• 1⁄2 lb cheddar cheese, shredded or 2  cups cheddar cheese
• 1 (4 ounce) can green chilies, diced
• 2  avocados
•  lemon juice
• 1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
• 1 (1 ounce) package  hidden valley ranch dressing mix
•  tortilla chips

Directions

1. Cut the tomatoes and remove any juice and the seeds, only using the remaining tomato flesh, otherwise, this will be a watery base.
2. Mix together tomatoes, onion and use as the bottom layer, shape into a hill.
3. Then add the cheeses from the bottom and all the way to the top evenly.
4. Take the pit out of avocados and scoop out the inside of them and put in a bowl. Add some lemon juice and mix(mash) into a spreadable mixture, now add the can of diced green chilies and mix thoroughly. Then spread this evenly over your hill.
5. Mix the hidden valley ranch mix with the sour cream and spread evenly over the green chilies.
6. Chill at least two hours. Serve with plain tortilla chips (I use the scoops) and watch it disappear!