Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Guide of mexican cheese

Cheese is nutritious food made mostly from the milk of cows but also other mammals, including sheep, goats, buffalo, reindeer, camels and yaks. Around 4000 years ago people have started to breed animals and process their milk. That's when the cheese was born.

A Guide to mexican cheese

A)Fresh Cheeses:

Queso blanco cheese
Queso blanco:
This creamy, white cheese is made from skimmed cow's milk, and has been described as being a cross between cottage cheese and mozzarella.

Queso fresco

Queso fresco:
A spongy white cheese, used to crumble over botanas - snacks - as well as on enchiladas and taquitos, this type of cheese was introduced to Mexico from Burgos, Spain.

Requeson cheese

Requeson:
A loose, ricotta-like cheese used to fill enchiladas and to make cheese spreads.




B)Soft Cheeses:

Queso anejo
Queso anejo:
This is classified as a soft cheese, can actually become quite firm and salty. as it ages. It is used primarily as a garnish, crumbled or grated over a variety of dishes.

Queso oaxaca

Queso oaxaca:
Also known as quesillo, this is by far the most popular cheese for making quesadillas. It is a stretched curd cheese, it is so much flexible ,you can fold into round balls also.



C)Firm Cheeses:

Queso anejo evchilado cheese

Queso anejo enchilado:
This is queso anejo, with a spicey red coating. A strong feta cheese could be substituted for it.

Queso cotija

Queso cotija:
This is a sharp, crumbly goat cheese. It has been called "the Parmesan of Mexico" and is usually served over beans and salads.

Queso manchego viejo cheese

Queso manchego viejo:
As its name indicates, this is manchego that has been aged to the point where it hardens and becomes more intense in flavor. It is quite often shaved over botanas.


Serving and Storage Tips
1. Unpasteurised cheese with a range of flavours should not be sliced until purchase otherwise it will start to lose its subtlety and aroma.
2. Keep the cheese in conditions in which it matures. Hard, semi-hard and semi-soft cheeses are stored in the temperatures from around 8 - 13 C.
3. Keep the cheese wrapped in the waxed paper and place it in a loose-fitting food-bag not to lose humidity and maintain the circulation of air.
4. Wrap blue cheeses all over as mould spores spread readily not only to other cheeses but also to everything near.
5. Chilled cheeses should be taken out of the refrigerator one and a half or two hours before serving.
6. Cheeses contain living organisms that must not be cut off from air, yet it is important not to let a cheese dry out.
7. Do not store cheese with other strong-smelling foods. As a cheese breathes it will absorb other aromas and may spoil.
8. Wrap soft cheeses loosely. Use waxed or greaseproof paper rather than cling film.
Let cold cheese warm up for about half an hour before eating to allow the flavour and aroma to develop


Some other great cheese of Mexico

* Anejo Enchilado
* Asadero
* Cotija
* Oaxaca
* Panela
* Queso Blanco
* Queso Fresco
* Queso Jalapeno
* Queso Quesadilla

1)Anejo Enchilado

It can be easily shredded or grated. It is commonly used as a topping or stuffing for enchiladas burritos and tacos.

2)Cotija

It is a Hispanic-style cheese, known as the "Parmesan of Mexico". It was originally made with goat's milk but today cow's milk is preferred. This cheese is strongly flavored, firm and perfect for grating.

3) Panela

The most popular fresh cheeses in Mexico, this cheese is mild, white and crumbly. Like Queso Blanco, it will get soft but not get melt when heated.

4)Queso Blanco

Traditional, creamery, fresh cheese made from cow's milk. The name simply means "white cheese". It resembles a cross between mozzarella and salty cottage cheese.


5) Queso Fresco

One of the most favorite Mexican cheeses, it is based on the Spanish cheese Burgos. It is fresh cheese of various sizes and shapes made from the mixture of cow's and goat's milk.


6) Queso Jalapeno

A smooth, soft cheese with bits of real Jalapeno pepper in it. Ideal for making quesadillas with a little, extra zesty flavor or for anytime snacking.

7) Queso Quesadilla

This cheese is smooth, soft, mild and white. It is a family favorite throughout Mexico, both for snacking and melting because it melts easily to make your favorite dishes rich and creamy.

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