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1
Measure first 4 ingredients into a small bowl, stirring well to mix.
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2
(Note: As tastes have changed over the years, I have gradually decreased the Accent slightly, measuring a scant tablespoon so it won't be too salty.) Pour 1 can of tomatoes, including juice, into the bowl of a food processor.
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3
Add 2 tablespoons of spice mixture and 5- 6 slices of pickled jalapenos.
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4
Pulse on and off briefly several times until ingredients are well-mixed and tomatoes are broken into small pieces but still retain some texture.
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5
(It should look like a thick salsa.) Pour tomato mixture into a medium saucepan.
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6
Repeat with remaining can of tomatoes, remaining spices, and additional slices of jalapenos, adding mixture to the saucepan after processing.
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7
If your food processor can handle it, grate cheese and then put in a large pot or Dutch oven; if not, chop cheese coarsely by hand.
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8
(A Cuisinart makes it easier, but it doesn't affect the final outcome.) Cook tomato mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently; bring just to the boiling point, BUT DO NOT ALLOW TO BOIL!
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9
The instant the first bubble breaks the surface, remove from heat and pour over cheese.
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10
Stir well, until cheese seems to have melted as much as it's going to (which won't be much-- it will still be extremely lumpy).
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11
Using a ladle (or a coffee mug), pour approximately 3 cups of the mixture into the food processor bowl.
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12
Process approximately 20-30 seconds, until mixture is smooth.
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13
Remove lid from processor bowl and taste for'heat' and consistency.
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14
If it is not as hot as you'd like, add a few more jalapeno slices.
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15
It will be waaaay too thick, so add water (several tablespoons at a time), processing briefly after each addition, until it is the proper consistency.
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16
Each batch will require a different amount of water, depending on the ratio of cheese to tomato sauce, but you'll quickly get the hang of about how much to add.
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17
If you accidentally get one batch too thin, you can easily compensate by making the next one extra-thick and stirring them together.
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18
Although this makes a huge amount, it will disappear more quickly than you ever thought possible, so stock up on lots of chips!
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19
Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for days on end.
