Patrick Oconnell
Mexican panela cheese is a versatile cheese that can be baked, grilled, fried, or crumbled on top of a salad. It is a firm, fresh cheese with a creamy texture that can be marinated with herbs and spices to create a fabulous appetizer. Panela cheese can be cooked in a variety of ways, such as baking it with salsa or frying it with lime salsa verde. It can also be sliced into tacos or cubed and sauteed with salsa.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Mexican, firm, fresh, light, creamy, low-fat |
| Substitute | Queso blanco, queso fresco, feta, halloumi, paneer |
| Cooking Methods | Baking, frying, grilling, pan-frying |
| Serving Suggestions | With salsa, in tacos, over rice, in tortillas, on salads, in enchiladas, on chilaquiles |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Panela cheese as an appetiser
Panela cheese is a versatile Mexican cheese that can be used in a variety of ways as an appetiser. This fresh, firm, and creamy cheese holds its shape when heated and can be baked, grilled, fried, or served as is.
One simple way to prepare Panela cheese as an appetiser is to bake it. To do this, first, cover the bottom of a baking dish with your favourite salsa. Then, lay the Panela cheese on top and cook it under the grill until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Serve this with tortilla chips as an appetiser or spoon it into warm tortillas to make tacos.
Alternatively, you can fry Panela cheese. If doing so, it is recommended to slice the cheese and fry it with a salsa of your choice. This can then be served over rice. Another option is to cube and saute the fried cheese with salsa and serve it over rice.
Panela cheese can also be grilled. When grilling, it is recommended to use a cheese with a similar texture such as halloumi or paneer. The cheese can be grilled and then sliced to be served as is or used in tacos.
Finally, Panela cheese can be enjoyed as is without any cooking. It can be crumbled over a salad or used as a filling for enchiladas or topping for chilaquiles.
Pigs in a Blanket, But With Cheese
You may want to see also
Panela cheese in tacos
Mexican Panela cheese is a versatile, low-fat cheese with a mild flavour and a firm yet smooth texture. It is a great option for tacos as it holds its shape when heated and can be grilled directly over heat.
To prepare the cheese for tacos, you can slice it, crumble it, bake it, or fry it. If you want to add some extra flavour, you can marinate the cheese with herbs and spices. To do this, poke some small holes in the cheese, coat it with oil and the herb and spice mixture, and leave it in the refrigerator for at least an hour or overnight.
Once you have prepared the cheese, you can grill it until browned on both sides, slice it, and place it in a warm tortilla. You can also add salsa, onions, cilantro, lime juice, and a fried egg on the side to create a delicious and hearty breakfast taco.
If you want to bake the cheese, place it in an oven-safe dish and bake it in the oven at 190°C or 375°F for 20 minutes. The cheese will become soft and gooey, but it won't melt completely. You can then spread it on tortillas or crackers and add your desired toppings.
Panela cheese is a great option for tacos as it is versatile, healthy, and adds a creamy texture to your dish. You can experiment with different cooking methods and toppings to create your perfect taco.
Prawns and Cheese: A Match Made in Heaven
You may want to see also
Panela cheese in salads
Panela cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads. Its mild, creamy taste and soft, crumbly texture make it a delightful addition to salads, where it can be crumbled, grated, or sliced on top.
When adding panela cheese to salads, it is essential to consider its shelf life, nutritional content, and serving size to fully appreciate its taste and benefits. Its high melting point makes it perfect for grilling and frying, allowing it to retain its shape and take on flavours well. This makes it an excellent choice for summer salads, as it can be pan-fried and added to the dish without becoming soggy.
A simple yet tasty salad featuring panela cheese is the Tomato Cucumber Panela Salad. This salad combines cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and cubed panela cheese, all cut into equivalent sizes. The dressing is made by whisking together olive oil, vinegar, lime juice, salt, and pepper, with cilantro stirred in. The dressing is then poured over the salad, and the dish is chilled until ready to be served.
For a more indulgent option, baked panela cheese can be served warm on top of a salad. To prepare this, the cheese is marinated in a mixture of oil and herbs and spices. After poking holes in the cheese to help the seasoning absorb, it is coated in the marinade and left in the refrigerator for at least an hour or even overnight. It is then baked in the oven at 190°C or 375°F for 20 minutes, resulting in a soft and gooey texture. When served warm, it adds a unique touch to salads, providing a delightful blend of flavours and textures.
A Hearty Pork Hamonado with Cheesy Twist
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$29.99 $38.24
Panela cheese in enchiladas
Panela cheese is a versatile Mexican cheese that can be baked, grilled, or fried. It is light and creamy and can be marinated with herbs and spices. When cooking panela cheese enchiladas, the cheese is not meant to be gooey or melty. The enchiladas are covered in mole, not salsa, and are not baked in the oven.
To make panela cheese enchiladas, you will need:
- Mole paste or prepared mole
- Chicken broth or water
- Panela cheese
- Mexican cream ("crema")
- Onion
- Corn tortillas
- Cooking oil
First, prepare the mole by following a recipe of your choice. Once the mole is ready, pour about 1 cup of cooking oil into a frying pan and heat it to medium-hot. Gently place a corn tortilla in the oil and cook for about 10 seconds on each side until it starts to puff up. Remove the tortilla from the oil and place it on a plate covered in paper towels to drain the excess oil. Repeat this process for the remaining tortillas.
Bring the panela cheese to room temperature and cut it into slices. Place a tortilla on a plate and add 2-3 slices of cheese. Roll the tortilla until it forms a tube shape and repeat for the remaining tortillas.
To serve, spoon the mole over the enchiladas and garnish with thinly sliced onion rings. You can also pipe lines of Mexican cream across the enchiladas for decoration. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Macaroni, Cheese, and Chicken: A Hearty Comfort Food Classic
You may want to see also
Baking, frying, and grilling panela cheese
Panela cheese is a Mexican firm, fresh cheese that is fantastic for baking, grilling, and frying. It has a light and creamy texture and can be marinated with herbs and spices to create a fabulous appetizer. Here are some detailed instructions on how to bake, fry, and grill panela cheese:
Baking Panela Cheese
To bake panela cheese, start by draining the cheese and setting it aside. In a bowl, combine oil with your choice of herbs and spices. Create small holes all around the cheese to help the seasoning absorb better. Place the cheese in the bowl and coat it with the mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for at least an hour or overnight. Preheat the oven to 190°C or 375°F. Place the cheese in an oven-safe dish and bake for 20 minutes. The cheese will soften and become gooey but not completely melted. Serve warm with corn chips or rustic bread.
Frying Panela Cheese
To fry panela cheese, start by cutting the cheese into slices or cubes. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and add a small amount of butter or oil. Place the cheese in the pan and fry until golden brown on each side. Serve immediately.
Grilling Panela Cheese
To grill panela cheese, start by preheating your grill to a high temperature. Cut the cheese into slices or cubes and place them directly on the grill. Grill until the cheese is browned on the outside and softened on the inside. Serve immediately.
Panela cheese is a versatile and low-fat cheese that can be used as a substitute for halloumi. It can be found in the Latin food section of most grocery stores, or you can look for queso blanco or queso fresco as alternatives.
The Best Breadcrumb-Crusted Halloumi Cheese Recipe
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Panela cheese is a Mexican firm, fresh cheese that is fantastic for baking, grilling, and frying. It is light and creamy and often marinated with herbs and spices.
Panela cheese can be baked, grilled, or fried. To bake it, cover the bottom of a baking dish with your favourite salsa, lay the cheese on top, and cook until the cheese is golden and bubbly. It can then be served with chips or tortillas. To fry it, you can cut it into cubes and sauté it with salsa, serving it over rice.
Panela cheese has a creamy texture and can be flavoured with herbs and spices. It is often served as an appetiser with wine.
