Oaxaca cheese, also called Quesillo, is a white, semi-hard cheese that originated in Mexico. It is like an unaged Monterey jack, however, with a texture like mozzarella or string cheese.
It is called after the state of Oaxaca in southern Mexico, where it was first made. The string cheese task (pasta Filata), initially from Italy, which is utilized to produce mozzarella, was brought to Mexico by the Dominican monks that got comfortable with Oaxaca. As water buffalo milk was inaccessible, they used cow’s milk instead. The cheese is available in a few different shapes.
Table of Contents
1. What is Oaxaca Cheese?
Oaxaca cheese [pronounced wah-ha-kah] is a white, semi-soft cow’s milk cheese from Mexico. The flavor is smooth and buttery, like string cheese, with a creamy texture and a slight saltiness. It’s ideal for melting and is like mozzarella or unaged Monterey jack cheese.
The taste is mellow, giving a pleasant balance to the spicy and positively delightful Mexican foods with which it’s frequently paired. Considered a fresh cheese, it’s customarily made by kneading the curd in hot water and then stretching it. Thin strips form from the cheese, which is cooled in salted water and cut into rope-like segments.
The segments are then tenderly braided or wound into a knot resembling a ball of yarn. The introduction is abnormal, and you can cut off little pieces as you need them, which is somewhat fun.
Source: Wikipedia
2. Oaxaca Cheese Nutrition Facts
For a Serving sort of 1 serving (28.35g)
| Calories 80 %Daily Value* |
Calories from Fat 54
(67.5%) |
| Total Fat 6g | – |
| Saturated Fat 4g grams | – |
| Trans Fat 0g grams | – |
| Cholesterol 25mg milligrams | – |
| Sodium 180mg milligrams | 8% |
| Potassium 0mg milligrams | – |
| Total Carbohydrates 0g grams | – |
| Dietary Fiber 2.4g grams Sugars 0g grams Protein 7g grams |
– |
| Vitamin A | – |
| Vitamin C | – |
| Calcium 200mg | 21% |
| Iron | – |
* The Percent Daily Values are found on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs.
3. How to Use Oaxaca Cheese
Oaxaca cheese has a creamy and mild flavor, and it melts quickly, making it an ideal stuffing for quesadillas, enchiladas, and poblano peppers. It can likewise be shredded and utilized as a trimming on the top of soups, tostadas, tacos, and beans. Oaxaca cheese’s buttery flavor is ideal for chile Rellenos and other flavorful dishes.
4. How to Make Oaxaca Cheese (Queso Oaxaca)
Queso Oaxaca is a segment of the pasta Filata (“spun paste”), or stretched-curd, cheeses group. During the cheese-making process, add the mix to milk to isolate the curds from the whey. Submerge the curd in hot water or whey, which softens the curds.
In this softened state, the curds can be stretched and kneaded to make the ideal stringy texture. Since Oaxaca cheese does not have a rind, it’s ordinarily rolled into a ball, like yarn, and sold in a rope.
5. Delicious Oaxaca Cheese Reciepes
a. Oaxacan Cheese Sticks: Greatest Snack Ever
Ingredients:
Cheese sticks:
- 1/2 pound Oaxacan cheese
- 12 corn tortillas
- 2 cups flour
- 3 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 tablespoons dried oregano
- 4 eggs
Salsa:
- 1 can crushed tomatoes (large size)
- 1 medium sweet onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- Juice from 1 lime
- 2 cups cilantro, loosely packed
- 2 tablespoons salt
Instructions:
Unwrap the ball of cheese, being cautious to keep the rope intact, then cut 4-inch segments, similar in size to mozzarella sticks. If some of the pieces appear to be too broad, cut them down the middle lengthwise. Season the flour among half of the salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, and oregano.
Granulate the corn tortillas in a food processor until you have fine crumbs, then add the other half of the seasonings to it. Beat the eggs, then place the flour, eggs, and tortilla crumbs in three separate dishes spread out in a specific order.
Source: Wikipedia
One at a time, widen the cheese sticks in the flour, then immerse them in the egg. Tap off the additional egg, then roll the stick in the tortilla crumbs and coat uniformly. Repeat the egg and tortilla crumbs (but not the flour), then lay out on a tray lined with parchment. Whenever you’ve got all your sticks dredged, please put them in the freezer for 1 hour.
Chop Your Onions
While those are in the freezer, generally chop your onions, garlic, and cilantro. Add those and the tomatoes into a blender with a lime squeeze and salt, and blend until smooth. Fill into a bowl, cover, and put aside. Heat 2-3 inches of oil in a cast-iron or hefty-bottomed skillet to high heat, about 375°F. Eliminate the cheese sticks from the freezer while the oil is warming up.
Drop the sticks into the pan 2-3 at a time, and fry for around 1-2 minutes absolute, flipping about halfway through, and basting a tiny bit if any odd finishes are sticking out that don’t appear like they’re frying enough. Eliminate from the skillet once golden brown, and place on a rack or paper towels. Blot the extra oil, sprinkle with salt while still hot, and serve with your homemade salsa.
b. Baked Oaxaca Cheese in Green Salsa
Yield: 4-6 Servings
Ingredients:
Ingredients for Green Salsa
- 1 medium white onion, chopped
- 1 lb. green tomatillos, husked
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 serrano chili, with seeds, chopped
- 1 poblano chili, roasted, peeled and seeded
- ¼ teaspoon sugar
- ½ tsp dried Mexican oregano, crumbled
- Salt to taste
- Ingredients for Cheese Appetizer
- 1 (12oz) Oaxaca Cheese at room temperature
- 8 corn tortillas
Instructions:
Instructions for Green Salsa
In a profound pot with water, cook tomatillos until tender, 5-6 minutes. Drain and place in blender. Add ½ cup of chicken broth, onion, chilies, cilantro, oregano, salt, and sugar. Blend until almost smooth.
Instructions for Cheese Appetizer
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread about 1 cup sauce on the lower part of a deep ovenproof heating dish. Place cheese on the sauce in the center of the word. Pour 3/4 cup of sauce above cheese and quickly place the container in the oven till the cheese is warm and soft but still holds its shape. About 10-12 minutes. Eliminate from the oven and immediately serve with warm tortillas.
