Queso Potato Chowder

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
• 1 cup finely chopped onion
• 3 poblano peppers, seeded and finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 (20-oz.) package refrigerated Southwestern-style hash brown potatoes
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 (14-oz.) cans low-sodium fat-free chicken broth
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1 cup (4 oz.) freshly shredded asadero cheese*
• 1 cup (4 oz.) freshly shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• Toppings: fried corn tortilla chips, coarsely chopped deli-fried chicken tenders, finely chopped red onion, sliced jalapeno peppers, fresh cilantro sprigs

1. Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat; add bell pepper and next 3 ingredients, and saute 4 to 5 minutes or until tender. Add potatoes and cumin, and saute 5 minutes or until browned and tender. Gradually stir in broth, stirring to loosen particles from bottom of Dutch oven. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 25 minutes.
2. Whisk together flour and next 2 ingredients. Stir into potato mixture, and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, 5 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat to low.
3. Add cheeses, and cook, stirring constantly, until cheeses melt and mixture is thoroughly heated. Serve with desired toppings.
4. *Monterey Jack cheese may be substituted.
5. Note: We tested with Simply Potatoes Southwest Style Hash Browns.
6. TRY THESE TWISTS!
7. Queso-Broccoli Potato Chowder: Prepare recipe as directed. Place 1 (12-oz.) package fresh broccoli florets in a 1-qt. microwave-safe glass bowl. Cover tightly with plastic wrap; fold back a small edge to allow steam to escape. Microwave at HIGH 3 to 4 1/2 minutes or until broccoli is crisp-tender, stirring after 2 minutes. Drain and pat dry. Stir hot broccoli into chowder. Top each serving with sauteed chopped ham.
8. Makes: 12 cups. Hands-on time: 40 min.; Total time: 1 hr., 15 min.
9. Corn-and-Zucchini Queso Chowder: Omit hash browns. Prepare recipe as directed in Step 1, adding 2 cups frozen whole kernel corn, thawed, and 2 cups chopped zucchini with cumin, and decreasing simmering time to 15 minutes. Proceed as directed, stirring in 1/2 tsp. kosher salt with cheese in Step Top each serving with chopped cooked bacon, shredded Cheddar cheese, and diced red onion. Makes: 11 cups. Hands-on time: 40 min.; Total time: 1 hr.

butter, red bell pepper, onion, peppers, garlic, potatoes, ground cumin, chicken broth, flour, milk, asadero cheese, cheddar cheese, tortilla chips

Taken from www.myrecipes.com/recipe/queso-potato-chowder (may not work)