Most of us in the US have not had much, if any exposure to Mexican cheeses. When we see cheese in Mexican dishes, it is usually familiar types like cheddar or Monterey Jack rather than a queso fresco or cotija. While these common cheeses may indeed pair well with some dishes, they are by no means the only options out there for cooks looking to add a little something to their Mexican recipes.
Mexico has its own cheese making tradition with many different kinds to try. Fortunately for cooks, Mexican cheeses are becoming more widely available, making this part of Mexico's culinary tradition accessible to Americans interested in trying their hand at this exciting cuisine.
Cheese arrived in what is now Mexico with the Spanish, who brought cows and sheep with them as livestock. Before long, the country had its own styles of cheese and these new foods were incorporated into traditional Mexican recipes as well as in adaptations of dishes introduced by the Spanish colonists. Different types of cheeses were made to complement different dishes and some cheeses from Spain also became popular in the new world, particularly queso fresco and manchego.
Quesadillas are one of the more familiar Mexican dishes in the US; however, queso Oaxaca, the cheese customarily used to make them is far less so. This cheese is a mild flavored string cheese, which is great on its own as a snacking cheese as well as being ideal for quesadillas, enchiladas, and other Mexican recipes with melted cheese. If you can find this cheese in your local markets, give it a try the next time you are thinking of making quesadillas at home.
Some have called Cotija Mexico's answer to Romano and Parmesan cheeses. Cotija is a hard, sharp, salty cheese, which can be crumbled or grated into salads or used to top soups and refried beans. The texture and flavor of this cheese are very much like that of the aforementioned Italian cheeses and it does indeed also make a good accompaniment to pasta dishes. Named for the town of Cotija in Mexico's Michoacn state, this is one cheese you should certainly consider trying for yourself.
A popular cheese for the Mexican sandwiches called tortas is queso criollo. This is a pale yellow cheese with a mild, nutty flavor, which is somewhat like Munster. Originally made in the state of Guerrero, this cheese is a good choice for sandwiches of all sorts; you may occasionally even find it grated for use in quesadillas.
Queso fresco is a very popular Mexican cheese, which actually came over from Europe with the conquistadores. Usually made with a mixture of goat and cow milks, this mild cheese is soft and crumbly and is an excellent partner for tacos, salads and for something a little different, you will find that queso fresco is terrific served with fruit.
There are more wonderful Mexican cheeses than there is room here to discuss; but that just means there is more to explore and experiment with in your kitchen! Next time you are planning to cook your favorite Mexican recipes, have a look at your local Mexican grocery, and seek out some new cheeses to add a new and delicious dimension to your old favorites.
Mexico has its own cheese making tradition with many different kinds to try. Fortunately for cooks, Mexican cheeses are becoming more widely available, making this part of Mexico's culinary tradition accessible to Americans interested in trying their hand at this exciting cuisine.
Cheese arrived in what is now Mexico with the Spanish, who brought cows and sheep with them as livestock. Before long, the country had its own styles of cheese and these new foods were incorporated into traditional Mexican recipes as well as in adaptations of dishes introduced by the Spanish colonists. Different types of cheeses were made to complement different dishes and some cheeses from Spain also became popular in the new world, particularly queso fresco and manchego.
Quesadillas are one of the more familiar Mexican dishes in the US; however, queso Oaxaca, the cheese customarily used to make them is far less so. This cheese is a mild flavored string cheese, which is great on its own as a snacking cheese as well as being ideal for quesadillas, enchiladas, and other Mexican recipes with melted cheese. If you can find this cheese in your local markets, give it a try the next time you are thinking of making quesadillas at home.
Some have called Cotija Mexico's answer to Romano and Parmesan cheeses. Cotija is a hard, sharp, salty cheese, which can be crumbled or grated into salads or used to top soups and refried beans. The texture and flavor of this cheese are very much like that of the aforementioned Italian cheeses and it does indeed also make a good accompaniment to pasta dishes. Named for the town of Cotija in Mexico's Michoacn state, this is one cheese you should certainly consider trying for yourself.
A popular cheese for the Mexican sandwiches called tortas is queso criollo. This is a pale yellow cheese with a mild, nutty flavor, which is somewhat like Munster. Originally made in the state of Guerrero, this cheese is a good choice for sandwiches of all sorts; you may occasionally even find it grated for use in quesadillas.
Queso fresco is a very popular Mexican cheese, which actually came over from Europe with the conquistadores. Usually made with a mixture of goat and cow milks, this mild cheese is soft and crumbly and is an excellent partner for tacos, salads and for something a little different, you will find that queso fresco is terrific served with fruit.
There are more wonderful Mexican cheeses than there is room here to discuss; but that just means there is more to explore and experiment with in your kitchen! Next time you are planning to cook your favorite Mexican recipes, have a look at your local Mexican grocery, and seek out some new cheeses to add a new and delicious dimension to your old favorites.
About the Author:
Traditional Mexican recipes make a great change from our usual staples and if you want to surprise your family with something deliciously different tonight, why not check out the recipes at MexicanFoodRecipes.org for some inspiring food ideas? Mexican food is nutritious and flavorful and sure to become a family favorite.
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