Patrick Oconnell
Manchego cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is a Spanish sheep's milk cheese with a nutty and buttery flavour that melts well. While younger Manchego tends to be softer, some prefer the aged versions, which are saltier and have a harder texture. To melt Manchego cheese, it is recommended to slice it thinly and grill it in a sandwich, such as a grilled cheese or a bocadillo, with even pressure applied to the bread. It can also be melted in a cast-iron pan with chorizo and salsa verde, creating a dip to be served with toasted bread.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Melting method | Bake in the oven, grill, or melt in a skillet |
| Melting rate | Slice thinly to assure the cheese melts at the proper rate |
| Pressure | Apply even pressure to the bread when grilling to prevent the ingredients from being pressed out |
| Bread | Use sourdough bread, or a panini maker or grill pan for a crispy, buttery exterior |
| Temperature | Grill for approximately 4 minutes on each side, or until the bread becomes golden brown |
| Oven | If the cheese needs more melting, wrap in foil and put in a warm oven for 5 minutes |
| Accompaniments | Serve with toasted bread, or with tomato soup |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Melting Manchego in a grilled cheese sandwich
Manchego cheese is a Spanish sheep's milk cheese that can be melted and used in grilled cheese sandwiches. The cheese has a higher fat content, which gives it a buttery flavour and texture, making it perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches.
To make a grilled cheese sandwich with Manchego cheese, start by slicing the cheese thinly to ensure even melting. If you want to add extra ingredients to your sandwich, such as onions and mushrooms, cook them first until browned and caramelized. You can also add meat, such as cooked Spanish chorizo, or vegetables like asparagus. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Next, prepare your bread by buttering the outside of each slice if you are frying your sandwich. If baking, you can skip this step. Layer the cheese on the inside of the sandwich, adding any additional ingredients. If you want a crispy exterior, use a panini maker, grill pan, or hot skillet to cook your sandwich. For a softer exterior, use a griddle or large skillet. Cook for approximately 3-5 minutes on each side, applying even pressure to the sandwich, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
If your cheese needs more time to melt, wrap the sandwich in foil and place it in a warm oven for an additional 5 minutes. The foil will create an "oven-like" environment that helps to melt the cheese without burning the bread. Serve your grilled Manchego cheese sandwich warm, sliced into desired portions. Enjoy!
The Perfect Melt: Cheesy Nachos, Every Time
You may want to see also
Using Manchego in a baked pasta dish
Manchego cheese is a versatile ingredient that can enhance the flavour of many dishes, including baked pasta. Here are some tips and recipes for creating a delicious baked pasta dish with Manchego cheese:
Choosing the Right Manchego Cheese
Start by selecting a suitable variety of Manchego cheese for your dish. Manchego cheese is made from sheep's milk and can be salty, so consider the other ingredients in your pasta dish to ensure the flavours complement each other. Younger Manchego cheese tends to be softer and milder in taste, while older varieties are firmer and have a stronger flavour. Aim for a middle ground, choosing a Manchego cheese aged between 4 to 12 months for the best melting quality and flavour.
Preparing the Pasta
Use a short, tube-shaped pasta such as elbow macaroni, which provides a greater surface area for the cheese to cling to. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions to achieve an al dente texture. Avoid overcooking, as the pasta will continue to soften during baking. Drain the pasta thoroughly to prevent excess water from diluting the sauce.
Creating the Sauce
For a basic Manchego cheese sauce, start by sautéing chopped onions in olive oil until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for a few minutes to release its aroma. Stir in heavy cream and slowly incorporate shredded Manchego cheese, allowing it to melt gradually over low heat. Season the sauce with salt, crushed red pepper flakes, and dried parsley to taste. You can also add dijon mustard for a tangy twist.
Baking the Dish
Combine the cooked pasta with the Manchego cheese sauce, ensuring each piece of pasta is coated generously. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish. Top the pasta with an even layer of the remaining sauce and shredded Manchego cheese. Bake in the oven at a moderate temperature until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serving Suggestions and Variations
Serve your baked Manchego pasta dish alongside a crunchy baguette and a glass of Spanish red wine. For a heartier meal, incorporate cooked Spanish chorizo into the pasta for a spicy kick. Alternatively, create a vegetable-based dish by grilling asparagus coated in olive oil and topping it with grated Manchego cheese and a sprinkle of lemon zest.
Cheese Melting: Impact on Histamine Levels and Allergies
You may want to see also
Melting Manchego in an omelette
Manchego is a semi-soft cheese with a unique buttery flavour. It is made from sheep's milk and has a rich, slightly nutty taste. When melting Manchego, it is important to use low to medium heat to prevent scorching or making the cheese rubbery. Grating or shredding the cheese before melting can help it melt more evenly and quickly.
To make a Mexican omelette with Manchego and veggies, you will need olive oil, onion, peppers, eggs, milk, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper in addition to the cheese. Start by adding olive oil to a pan on medium-high heat and sauteing the onion and peppers until they soften and the onions are translucent. This should take about 5 minutes. While they are cooking, season with a pinch of salt and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Combine the eggs and milk in a separate bowl. Add salt and pepper to season, as well as cayenne pepper if desired. Whisk together. If you like your omelettes super fluffy, then aggressively whip the eggs for a good minute to beat air into the eggs. Heat a pan on medium-low and pour the egg mixture onto it. Cook for a few minutes or until the egg starts to set. Once it appears set, it can still be a little wet on the very top. Put the veggies on one half of the omelette.
For a different take on a Manchego omelette, try Yotam Ottolenghi's harissa and Manchego omelette. This recipe calls for olive oil, onion, eggs, milk, rose (or regular) harissa, nigella seeds, coriander leaves, salt, black pepper, and butter in addition to the cheese. Start by heating the grill to high. Put three tablespoons of oil in a medium-sized (18-20cm) ovenproof frying pan on medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the onion and fry for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion has caramelised and turned a deep golden brown. Tip the onions into a large bowl and leave to cool. Then, add the eggs, milk, harissa, nigella seeds, half the coriander, salt, and pepper. Whisk the mix until well combined. Wipe the frying pan clean, turn up the heat to medium-high, and add two teaspoons of oil.
Gorgonzola Cheese Melting: The Ultimate Guide to Success
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Grilled asparagus topped with grated Manchego
To make this dish, you'll want to start by choosing asparagus spears that are a nice bright green colour, with tight tips and stalks that are about one-quarter to one-half inch thick. Avoid thin spears, as they may burn too quickly or slip through the grates of your grill. Thicker spears are generally more tender, but if you're using fresh, good-quality asparagus, either size will work well.
Before grilling, rinse your asparagus under cool water and gently dry them with a kitchen towel. Snap off the woody ends of the stalks, grasping the cut end and snapping towards the middle to leave the tender part. You can also trim the ends with a knife, but snapping is a quick and easy way to ensure you're only keeping the tender portion of the stalk.
Next, you'll want to preheat your grill to medium heat and toss the asparagus in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place the asparagus on the grill and cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping occasionally, until they are tender and slightly charred.
Once your asparagus are grilled to perfection, transfer them to a serving plate. Top with grated Manchego cheese and a sprinkle of lemon zest. The heat from the asparagus will slightly melt the cheese and release its flavours and aromas, creating a delicious contrast of textures and tastes.
For an extra touch of flavour, you can also add some crushed almonds and a drizzle of olive oil. If you're serving this dish as an appetizer, consider pairing it with a glass of Spanish wine or a crisp white wine to complement the flavours. Enjoy!
Melting Shredded Cheese for Pasta: The Best Techniques
You may want to see also
Manchego dip with chorizo and salsa verde
Ingredients
- Cubed Manchego cheese
- Cooked Spanish chorizo
- Salsa verde (made with olives, parsley, olive oil, garlic, mint, and vinegar)
- Toasted bread, for serving
Method
- Preheat your oven.
- In a cast-iron pan, add the cubed Manchego cheese.
- Top the skillet with cooked Spanish chorizo and salsa verde.
- Bake in the oven until the Manchego cheese is fully melted.
- Serve with toasted bread.
Tips
- Manchego cheese has a strong, salty flavour, so consider this when seasoning the rest of your dish.
- Younger Manchego is softer, so opt for an older variety (12-24 months) if you prefer a harder cheese.
- If you can't find Manchego, other melting cheeses such as cheddar, Oaxaca, queso blanco, Monterey Jack, and Velveeta can be used.
The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning Melted Cheese from Skillets
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Slice the Manchego thinly and place it in a sandwich with buttered bread. Grill the sandwich with the buttered sides facing outwards for around 4 minutes on each side, or until the bread is golden brown. If the cheese needs more time to melt, wrap the sandwich in foil and place it in a warm oven for 5 minutes.
A warm oven should be sufficient to melt Manchego cheese.
Manchego cheese can be melted in a cast-iron pan with cooked Spanish chorizo and salsa verde, then served with toasted bread. It can also be used in a grilled cheese sandwich with sliced onions, mushrooms, spinach, and fig jam or chutney.
