I have played with this recipe for about 14 years now, adding things here and there and playing with the measurements here and there.
Ingredients:
3 - 4 Tablespoons low fat margarine
6 ribs of celery, finely chopped
5 jalapeno peppers, seeds removed, finely chopped
1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 can ro-tel tomatoes, drained
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1 eight oz. block 2% Velveeta cheese, cubed (I try to find the off brand version)
1 wheel of queso fresco cheese, cubed (white Mexican cheese found in the normal cheese isle)
1/2 cup fat free half and half, divided
low fat milk
tortilla chips
Directions:
In a large saute pan, melt the margarine over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add the celery. Saute for about 5 minutes or until about half way tender. Add the jalapeno peppers and saute for about 3 minutes. Add the onion, and saute until the onion is tender and transparent. Stir in the cilantro and ro-tel. Once the tomatoes are heated through, turn the burner to the lowest heat to keep warm.
Meanwhile, put the queso fresco in a medium microwavable bowl. I like to use the Pampered Chef classic batter bowl. Pour in just 1/4 cup of the half and half. Cover tightly with plastic wrap, and microwave on power level 4 for five minutes. Remove, stir well. Add the Velveeta and the remaining half and half. Stir. Re-cover tightly with the plastic wrap and microwave on power level 4 for 3 minutes. Stir. Recover, and continue microwaving in 2 minute intervals on power level 4 until the cheese mixture is almost smooth, stirring in between. When the cheese is almost smooth, add milk as needed to thin out the cheese until you get it to a consistency that you like. The cheese will continue to melt as you stir it. Remember, you don't want it too think because you will need to stir it together with the vegetable mixture and be able to dip tortilla chips into it. You also don't want so thin that the cheese won't stick to the chips either. Once you have gotten your desired thickness, microwave one more time for a couple of minutes on power level 4. Once all the cheese is melted, pour it into the saute pan with the vegetable mixture. Stir well. Scoop the queso into small bowls and dip tortilla chips into the queso!
