| of us in the US have not had much, if any | | | | quesadillas at home. |
| exposure to Mexican cheeses. When we see | | | | Some have called Cotija Mexico's answer to |
| cheese in Mexican dishes, it is usually familiar | | | | Romano and Parmesan cheeses. Cotija is a hard, |
| types like cheddar or Monterey Jack rather than | | | | sharp, salty cheese, which can be crumbled or |
| a queso fresco or cotija. While these common | | | | grated into salads or used to top soups and |
| cheeses may indeed pair well with some dishes, | | | | refried beans. The texture and flavor of this |
| they are by no means the only options out there | | | | cheese are very much like that of the |
| for cooks looking to add a little something to their | | | | aforementioned Italian cheeses and it does indeed |
| Mexican recipes. | | | | also make a good accompaniment to pasta dishes. |
| However, Mexico has many cheeses to try for | | | | Named for the town of Cotija in Mexico's |
| yourself and thankfully; many of these products | | | | Michoacn state, this is one cheese you should |
| are becoming increasingly available here as well. | | | | certainly consider trying for yourself. |
| Ever since Mexican farmers began making | | | | Queso criollo is a mild, nutty yellow cheese, which |
| cheese, it has been an important part of the | | | | is not dissimilar to Munster. This cheese hails from |
| country's culinary heritage, just as it is in the US; | | | | the Mexican state of Guererro, is excellent on |
| but of course, with its own unique spin. | | | | tortas (Mexican sandwiches), and grated for use |
| Cheese (or queso as it is known in Spanish) came | | | | in quesadillas and other Mexican recipes where |
| to the New World along with the conquistadors. | | | | cheese is to be melted. Try it anywhere you |
| The European colonists brought cows and goats | | | | would use Munster cheese as well as in Mexican |
| before long, dairy products began being produced | | | | dishes. |
| in the country, which were uniquely Mexican. | | | | A Spanish cheese, which is almost more strongly |
| There are now a wide variety of different | | | | associated with Mexico, since it has been so |
| Mexican cheeses, each with its own character and | | | | widely brought into use in Mexican cooking, is |
| flavor. You will find these cheeses used in many | | | | queso fresco. This is a soft, mild cheese, which is |
| different authentic Mexican recipes, which | | | | traditionally made using a mixture of cow's and |
| showcase them with ingredients, which | | | | goat's milk. This cheese is excellent crumbled as a |
| complement their flavors and textures perfectly. | | | | topping for tacos, as a filling in chiles rellenos and is |
| Quesadillas are one of the more familiar Mexican | | | | wonderful with salads or served with fruit. |
| dishes in the US; however, queso Oaxaca, the | | | | It would take a lot more space than we have |
| cheese customarily used to make them is far less | | | | here to go into detail about all of the many |
| so. This cheese is a mild flavored string cheese, | | | | delicious Mexican cheeses, which can add little |
| which is great on its own as a snacking cheese as | | | | something extra to your favorite Mexican recipes. |
| well as being ideal for quesadillas, enchiladas, and | | | | If you like to cook Mexican food at home, be |
| other Mexican recipes with melted cheese. If you | | | | sure to pay a visit to your local Mexican grocer |
| can find this cheese in your local markets, give it | | | | and explore some new tastes. |
| a try the next time you are thinking of making | | | | |