Low cal Queso (for dipping, non-US)

divinenanny

Ok guys, before I started my weightloss journey, one of my deadly foods was Queso (warm melted cheese dip). I have lived in Houston, and became addicted to it there (my love for cheese in general is genetic, as I am Dutch). Back home in The Netherlands I found a recipe to make it with cheddar and sour cream. One portion (as I used to eat it) with nacho chips was nearly 2000 cals (yes, two thousand!!!). I understand that I shouldn't eat this anymore, but I love it so much, I have been looking for a better way to make it. Because I live in The Netherlands, most of the low-fat, low-cal options are not available here, and I simply cannot figure out a way to do it. So, it comes down to this:
I need:
- A low cal (small portion ok) Queso recipe
- I used to use 250 grams of cheddar (cheeseburger cheese slices) and 160 grams of sour cream, and eat nearly 200 grams of chips
- Low fat/low cal cheddar is unavailable
- Velveeta (in any kind) is unavailable (So is Rotel, but that is replaceable with fresh stuff)
- I cannot find a low cal alternative for nachos

So, is there any substitute for the cheddar and/or sour cream? Does anyone have any good ideas or tips for this? As it stands now, even if I make a quarter of my old recipe, it is still 500cals (including the chips).

monkey_la_femme

I have had success replacing sour cream with plain Greek yoghurt in most things, or you might be able to use some low-fat ricotta/cottage cheese. As far as replacing tortilla chips, we spray mountain bread, pita or corn wraps with canola, sprinkle with cracked pepper and vegan grated Parmesan (you could just use the freeze-dried supermarket variety) and bake until crisp. Much lower in oil than tortilla or corn chips and really tasty.

Kyrosh

I found you this:

http://video.about.com/lowfatcooking/Low-Fat-Baked-Tortilla-Chips.htm

OR

The tortilla chips were simply made by using Mission "extra thin" corn tortillas (extra thin=super crunchy) that I cut into quarters. I sprayed them with an olive oil mister and seasoned them simply with kosher salt. Baked at 375 for about 10 minutes a side and you got yourself lower-fat tortilla chips perfect for ceviche dipping!
Uh yeah, we needed more chips. MUCH more. You honestly can't tell the difference between these and the fried variety!

It wasn't until a week or two later that I discovered a new trick for even lower fat tortilla chips! In fact NO added fat whatsoever!

I find that I can successfully make three tortillas worth of chips in one go in the microwave. All you do is place a paper towel on a large plate and arrange your quartered slices of corn tortillas evenly so that there is no overlap. Top liberally with salt or whatever seasonings you prefer and then cover with another set of paper towels. Yes, you need the paper towel on the bottom, otherwise it won't work and the chips will just be flimsy instead of crisp (it absorbs the moisture). The reason for liberal seasoning is because not all of it is going to stick, but most of it does which is a huge plus and the reason why there is no need for any added oil!

Place the plate in your microwave and heat for 2 minutes, check on them (the ones in the middle might be done, if so, remove them) and then keep on microwaving in 20 to 30 second intervals until they're all crisp.

These "burn" easily, but honestly the burnt ones taste just as delicious (just a slightly different flavor), so don't worry if you burned a batch. Mine are usually done at or before 2 minutes and 30 seconds, but I have a more powerful microwave.

Plus side? They taste JUST like the baked and fried versions but are much healthier, FASTER, and can be used for anything you would traditionally used the fried version for. Think tortilla chip crusted fish, nachos, chicken tortilla soup, etc
Cons? Only one- you can only make 12 chips at a time. Eh, I think I'll survive.

(From: http://notthenormalteenagefare.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/tilapia-ceviche-and-low-fat-tortilla.html)

melaniecheeks

Can you get the Kerrygold low low cheese spread?

Kyrosh

They have Philadelphia in Holland as well isn't it? Can't you use that?

Barribomb

SO happy to see this thread, as it's one of my weaknesses too!

Kyrosh

I found a Weight Watchers recipe

http://www.thatsmyhome.com/healthy/weight-watchers/lowfat-queso-dip.htm

fierceangel1982

Do you have Laughing cow cheese over there? They have a light queso fresco & chipotle flavor.

divinenanny

Thanks for all the tips, I'll try to reply to all:

monkey_la_fem: Thanks for the ideas for sour cream and tortilla chip substitutions. Canola is something I have never used, and I wonder if there is something else I could use (sunflower oil?). And sprinkling it with parmesan and pepper would maybe be enough so I wouldn't need the dip... interesting!

Kyrosh: I don't know if I can find the extra thin kind (I buy mine at Albert Heijn, they have their own brand and Casa Fiesta). I especially like the microwave tip, sounds quick and easy. And probably much better in so many ways than Doritos. With the Philadelphia, do you mean as a substitute for sour cream? Or the cheese? Unfortunately the WW recipe calls for low fat Cheddar. And with a serving size of two table spoons and a batch of 2+ cups, I doubt it is actually much healthier than what I used to make. So tricky with serving sizes and cooking batches. But thanks for finding it.

melaniecheeks: No, unfortunately not. As far as I can see no Kerrygold (at all) in The Netherlands, only butter in Belgium and only fatty cheese in Germany

Barribomb: Bad weakness to have, but glad to find a fellow sufferer

fierceangel19: Yeah we do, but unfortunately not that variety...