1cupshredded white American cheeseSee Recipe Notes (about ¼ pound)
1cupshredded yellow American cheeseSee Recipe Notes (about ¼ pound)
1tablespoonbutter
¼cupprepared fresh pico de gallo, medium heat(See Recipe Notes)
¾cupevaporated milk
1tablespooncorn starch
½cup chicken broth
½teaspoonground cumin
¼teaspoononion powder
½teaspoongarlic powder
¼teaspoonchile powder
¼teaspoonsalt
Instructions
Shred 1 cup of each cheese and set aside
1 cup shredded white American cheese, 1 cup shredded yellow American cheese
In a medium saucepan on low heat, melt butter and add pico de gallo to saucepan; saute for 3 minutes
1 tablespoon butter, ¼ cup prepared fresh pico de gallo, medium heat
In a medium bowl, combine evaporated milk and cornstarch; whisk together until lump-free, then add in the chicken broth; stir till blended
¾ cup evaporated milk, 1 tablespoon corn starch, ½ cup chicken broth
Pour the evaporated milk mixture into the saucepan with the pico de gallo; turn heat to medium-high and stir constantly with a wooden spoon until sauce begins to thicken. This takes about 5-6 minutes.
Once sauce begins to thicken, turn the heat to low and add shredded cheeses; continue to stir until you have a smooth mixture; remove pan from heat
Off heat, add in ground cumin, onion powder, chile powder and garlic powder; use a whisk to to fully incorporate these spices
½ teaspoon ground cumin, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon chile powder
Add salt to taste; garnish with chopped cilantro, a scoop of pico de gallo and serve
¼ teaspoon salt
Notes
About the pico de gallo:You can usually find this premade at your grocery store in the produce section. Note that some grocers make a mild, medium and hot version. Whatever type of pico you get will determine the heat of your queso. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT substitute fresh pico de gallo with a jarred salsa. I tried it and it turned out awful. Use a whisk to combine the dry spices into the liquid - ground cumin sometimes clumps and a whisk will help ensure you don't have any clumps in your queso.Add salt last, especially if you used salted butter or salted chicken broth. About the cheese:If you buy block cheese from the deli, you'll need a total of 1/2 pound. I used 1/4 pound of yellow American and 1/4 pound of white American cheese. (When shredded, these equaled about two to two-and-a-half cups total.)I shredded both cheeses on the "large" side of the cheese grater and put it in a two-cup measuring cup; do not pack the cheese into the measuring cupIf your queso turns out too thick, add a little more evaporated milk; if it turns out too thin, add more cheese