The Laughing Cow Light Queso Fresco & Chipotle (and a Contest!)

So, I love The Laughing Cow -- don't we all?  Just about anyone who is a Weight Watcher is big on The Laughing Cow line of cheeses. I really love to eat it with apples and put it on sammiches. 

Though it took a while to find them, I was thrilled when they came out with 3 new Light flavors: Blue Cheese, Sundried Tomato and Basil and Queso Fresco and Chipotle.  YUM.  I tried them all at BlogHer and couldn't wait to find them in my store.

Recently, they contacted me about participating in their Bring Snackjoy to Life contest. They sent me a container of my assigned flavor and told me to write a 120-character "personality" for my cheese.  I received the Queso Fresco and Chipotle, which was totally great because I love anything spicy.

I ate it on Triscuits, I had it in an omelette, I even had it with a bit of apple and just about anywhere I loved it.  I was surprised at how good it was on the apple. (I love a sweet n' spicy combo.) The zest is mellow for those who aren't into spicy foods, but the flavor is definitely geared for latin food.

I think my favorite way I've had this new flavor was predictable, but awesome: nachos with grainy tortilla chips. It goes a little like this:

• 2 wedges of cheese, melted for 30 seconds in the microwave (some might take longer, some might take less, just keep an eye on it)
• add a tablespoon or so of fresh salsa (or jar, whatever you have on hand)
• stir it up and pour it over a handful of whole grain or other sort of 'natural' or "healthy" tortilla chips (I'm currently enjoying Food Should Taste Good's Jalapeno tortilla chips -- which are kinda spicy, but I dig 'em! I also love the flaxseed ones from Trader  Joe's.)

If you want more cheese, throw in another wedge -- just wing it, but don't forget to count the Points if you're doing Weight Watchers.

Could it have been spicier? For me, sure.  Definitely. But I think it's a versatile cheese that would be awesome in a Mac n' Cheese or in a Spanish Omelette.  I can see a lot of uses for it and not everyone likes the hot n' spicy like me, so in that case, it's just the right amount. I'm a fan -- now if only I can find it at my local grocery store.

If you're so inclined, VOTE FOR MY ENTRY in the Bring Snackjoy to Life contest! 

I give this 4.5 donuts.

BAKED! TOSTITOS® SCOOPS!® with a little cheese wedge

I'm not a huge fan of salty snacks, but lately I have been craving something crunchy and different than your standard potato chip or dorrito fare.  We had a few friends over last week and I told my husband to pick up a few chips and dips for the occasion and much to my delight he brought home Baked Scoops. He also picked up some salsa to go with them, which I happen to hate (no tomatoes please!).  We had a jar of Salsa Con Queso Dip, which isn't bad, but I have issues with portion control; even if I scoop out two tablespoons (40 Calories, 2.5 grams of fat = 1 WW Point), chances are I'm gonna go back for more.  Afterall the jar is already open and just taunting me with it's cheesey goodness.

Instead of caving, I pulled out a Laughing Cow cheese wedge (35 calories, 1.5 grams of fat = 1 WW point and keeps my portion control in check) and decided to try it out with the baked scoops (15 scoops = 2 WW points).  I have to say it was damn good.  The baked scoops are light but pack a powerful crunch.  I found it hard to distinquish any real taste difference between these and the heftier original.  Add a schmear of cheese on top and you have quite a delicious and filling snack. 

This combo has now been my favorite snack choice for the last week and a half.  Anyone else find a great snack combo and then stick with it for awhile? 

I give this 5 donuts.