Bushra Griffith
Oaxaca cheese, named after the Mexican state where it originated, is a semi-soft, stringy, and buttery cheese with a salty and mild flavour. It is made from cow's milk and is a member of the pasta filata cheese family. Oaxaca cheese is a great melting cheese and is commonly used in Mexican dishes such as quesadillas, enchiladas, tacos, and chiles rellenos. It can be shredded, peeled, or melted and used in a variety of dishes such as pizzas, nachos, mac and cheese, and sandwiches. It can also be enjoyed fresh, shredded or cubed, and paired with fruits or cured meats.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Semi-soft, stringy, semi-hard |
| Taste | Salty, mild, savory, mellow, buttery |
| Melting | Melts exceptionally well |
| Substitutes | Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Asadero, Armenian string cheese |
| Dishes | Quesadillas, enchiladas, tacos, pizzas, sandwiches, mac and cheese, omelets, scrambled eggs, chiles rellenos, nachos, empanadas, birria tacos, cheese-stuffed dishes, casseroles |
| Serving | Enjoyed at room temperature |
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What You'll Learn
Using Oaxaca cheese in tacos
Oaxaca cheese, named after the Mexican state where it originated, is a semi-hard, white, stringy cheese made from cow's milk. It is a member of the pasta filata family of cheeses, which also includes mozzarella and string cheese. With its mild, buttery flavour, Oaxaca cheese is a popular choice for tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, and more.
To use Oaxaca cheese in tacos, you can follow these steps:
Preparing the Cheese:
Oaxaca cheese is best shredded by hand, pulling apart the thick ropes of cheese into thin strings. You can then place around 30-40 grams of the shredded cheese onto a tortilla, with about 100 grams of cheese for every portion placed inside the tortilla.
Melting the Cheese:
Oaxaca cheese is known for its excellent melting quality, making it ideal for tacos. To melt the cheese, warm your tortillas in a skillet or on a griddle for about 1 minute on each side. Then, top each tortilla with the desired amount of cheese and let it melt for 30 seconds to 1 minute. You can also place the cheese inside the taco and cook the entire taco for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted.
Filling Options:
Oaxaca cheese pairs well with various fillings for tacos. You can choose from traditional Mexican options such as chicken, steak, or pork. For example, you can prepare steak and Oaxaca cheese tacos by cooking the steak with onion, poblano pepper, garlic powder, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Then, add the desired filling on top of the melted cheese, fold the tortilla, and cook until the cheese is melted to your liking.
Additional Tips:
For extra cheesiness, you can top your tacos with additional shredded cheese before serving. You can also serve your Oaxaca cheese tacos with your favourite salsa, guacamole, or other toppings and sides of your choice.
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Oaxaca cheese on pizzas
Oaxaca cheese, also known as Queso Oaxaca, is a semi-hard, white, stringy cheese made from cow's milk. It is a member of the pasta filata cheese family, which includes mozzarella and string cheese. Oaxaca cheese is a popular substitute for mozzarella due to its similar consistency and flavour profile. It has a savoury, mellow, buttery flavour and is a great melting cheese, making it perfect for pizzas.
When using Oaxaca cheese on pizzas, it can be shredded and spread over the baked crust, similar to how mozzarella is used. The salty and flavourful Oaxaca cheese can take your pizza to the next level, making it tastier and more indulgent.
To make an Oaxaca pizza, start by preparing the dough. Mix flour, vital wheat gluten, instant yeast, tepid water, and olive oil. If the dough doesn't come together, add a little more water. Let the dough rest for about 10 minutes, then add salt, mix well, and knead for 5 minutes. Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a draft-free area until it doubles in size, which should take about 45 minutes to an hour.
Once the dough has risen, place it on a piece of parchment paper and spread it out. Drizzle olive oil over the dough and transfer it to a pizza stone in a preheated oven at 450-500 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake the dough for around 8-10 minutes.
Now comes the magic: spread the grated Oaxaca cheese over the partially baked crust. For an extra indulgent touch, you can also sprinkle grated Parmigiana-Reggiano over the cheese. Add your desired toppings, such as roasted grape tomatoes, and place the pizza back into the oven. Bake for an additional 5-8 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and melted to perfection.
Before serving, add some fresh herbs like basil for a pop of colour and a boost of flavour. Your Oaxaca pizza is now ready to be devoured, and we guarantee it will be a gooey, cheesy delight!
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As a substitute for mozzarella
Oaxaca cheese, also known as queso Oaxaca, is a semi-hard, white, stringy cheese made from cow's milk. It is a stretched-curd cheese, kneaded and sold in long ropes gently wound in balls. It has a savoury, mellow, buttery flavour and is a great melting cheese.
Oaxaca cheese is often compared to low-moisture mozzarella or Monterey Jack. However, it is more layered with a buttery flavour, lush milkiness, and delicate salinity. It is also stretchier and less salty than mozzarella.
Given their similarities, Oaxaca cheese can be used as a substitute for mozzarella in a variety of dishes. For example, you can use Oaxaca cheese in place of mozzarella in pizzas, sandwiches, salads, and other dishes that call for melted cheese. When substituting, consider using a variety of Oaxaca cheese that is similar in moisture content to the type of mozzarella the recipe calls for. For example, if the recipe calls for low-moisture mozzarella, opt for a drier variety of Oaxaca cheese, such as queso asadero.
In addition to its melting capabilities, Oaxaca cheese can also be enjoyed raw. It can be sliced and added to sandwiches or used as a textural garnish on various dishes. When using Oaxaca cheese as a substitute for mozzarella, consider experimenting with different varieties and moisture contents to find the one that best suits your taste preferences and the specific dish you are preparing.
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Making quesadillas with Oaxaca cheese
Oaxaca cheese, also known as queso Oaxaca, is a semi-hard, white, stringy cheese made from cow's milk. It is a popular choice for quesadillas due to its excellent melting properties and mild, buttery flavour.
To make quesadillas with Oaxaca cheese, start by pulling the cheese apart into thin strings or shredding it with your hands. You can also cut off a 2-inch piece or strip of the cheese. Next, heat some butter or oil in a skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Place a tortilla in the pan and sprinkle or place your desired amount of cheese on top. For a heartier quesadilla, add in some cooked chicken, beef, shrimp, carnitas, or any other leftover meat you may have. You can also add sautéed or roasted vegetables, such as poblano peppers or mushrooms.
Once the cheese begins to melt, fold the tortilla in half and cook for an additional 30 seconds to 2 minutes per side, flipping once, until the tortilla is lightly browned and the cheese is completely melted. Serve immediately with your favourite salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.
For an extra special touch, try using corn tortillas or flour tortillas, and don't skip the butter! The butter will help the tortilla crisp up and turn a golden brown, enhancing the overall taste and texture of your quesadilla. Enjoy your melted, gooey, and delicious Oaxaca cheese quesadilla!
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Oaxaca cheese in Mexican dishes
Oaxaca cheese, also known as quesillo or queso de hebra, is a semi-soft, stringy, and stretchy cow's milk cheese. It is a member of the pasta filata family of cheeses, which includes mozzarella and string cheese. With its mild, buttery, and slightly salty flavour, Oaxaca cheese is a popular ingredient in Mexican cuisine, especially in dishes that require melting cheese. Here are some ways to use Oaxaca cheese in Mexican dishes:
Quesadillas
Oaxaca cheese is a popular choice for quesadillas due to its excellent melting properties. To make a quesadilla, you can fill tortillas with shredded Oaxaca cheese and your choice of fillings, such as chicken, steak, pork, or vegetables. For an extra indulgent option, you can add butter and salt to the cheese mixture.
Tacos
Oaxaca cheese is perfect for tacos, especially if you're looking for that epic cheese pull action. You can use it in traditional tacos or get creative with vegetarian options like vegetarian Vampiro Tacos, which feature caramelized kabocha squash seasoned with smoked paprika, cumin, coriander, and cayenne.
Enchiladas
Oaxaca cheese can be shredded, melted, or peeled and used as a topping for enchiladas. For a unique twist, try chicken mole enchiladas topped with Oaxaca cheese.
Chiles Rellenos
Oaxaca cheese is commonly used in chiles rellenos, which are stuffed peppers. You can fill poblano peppers with Oaxaca cheese, coat them with egg, and fry them for a delicious Mexican treat.
Nachos
Oaxaca cheese can be melted and used as a topping for nachos, adding a creamy and stringy texture to this classic Mexican dish.
Cemitas Poblanas
For a traditional Mexican experience, try using fresh Oaxaca cheese on a cemita poblana.
Choriqueso
Melt Oaxaca cheese with chorizo and use it as a dip, or fry it up for a delicious Mexican snack.
Other Uses
Oaxaca cheese can also be used in burritos, empanadas, grilled cheese sandwiches, omelettes, scrambled eggs, macaroni and cheese, and even on pizzas as a substitute for mozzarella. Its mild flavour and excellent melting properties make it a versatile ingredient in a variety of Mexican dishes.
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Frequently asked questions
Store the cheese in the fridge and consume it within 2-3 weeks.
Oaxaca cheese is best enjoyed at room temperature to savour its milky flavour and semi-soft texture.
Oaxaca cheese is a great melting cheese and can be used in quesadillas, tacos, enchiladas, pizzas, mac and cheese, sandwiches, and more. It can also be shredded and used as a topping for soups and refried beans.
Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Asadero, and Armenian string cheese can be used as substitutes for Oaxaca cheese.
Oaxaca cheese is made from cow's milk.
