Randy Chandler
Tamales are a delicious Mexican dish that can be made with a variety of fillings, including meat, vegetables, and cheese. When it comes to choosing a cheese for tamales, it's important to select a variety that melts well to ensure a pleasant texture and taste. While aged cheeses can be used, they may not be ideal as they can separate when melted, resulting in a grainy and oily filling. Instead, mild, white melting cheeses such as Oaxaca, mozzarella, or Muenster are excellent choices as they melt smoothly and complement the other ingredients. For a vegetarian option, a combination of queso fresco and Monterey Jack or Manchego can be used. In addition, vegan cheese options are available, providing flexibility for those with dietary restrictions. Tamales offer a fun and creative culinary experience, allowing home cooks to experiment with different cheeses and fillings to create unique and tasty treats.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese Type | Oaxaca, Chihuahua, Monterey Jack, Mozzarella, Muenster, Manchego, Feta, Vegan Cheese, Blue Cheese, Cream Cheese, Kraft Singles |
| Cheese Texture | Melting, Mild, White, Soft, Mild, Aged, Unconventional |
| Tamale Wrapping | Corn husks, Banana leaves |
| Tamale Filling | Cheese, Salsa, Jalapeño peppers, Chicken, Spicy tomatillo sauce, Poblano chiles, Cherry tomatoes, Onion, Garlic |
| Tamale Dough | Masa, Corn masa, Corn flour, Masa harina |
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What You'll Learn
Melting cheeses like Oaxaca, mozzarella, or Muenster are good options
Tamales are a delicious and versatile dish that can be filled with a variety of ingredients, including cheese. When it comes to choosing a cheese that will melt beautifully in tamales, melting cheeses like Oaxaca, mozzarella, or Muenster are excellent options. These cheeses have a mild and creamy flavour, and their melting properties make them ideal for creating a rich and indulgent filling.
Oaxaca cheese, also known as Mexican melting cheese, is a traditional choice for tamales in Mexico. It has a creamy texture and a mild flavour that pairs well with a variety of fillings. Oaxaca cheese is widely used in tamales because of its ability to melt smoothly without becoming greasy or separating. It is often used in combination with grilled or blistered green chile, also known as Rajas, to create a classic and mouthwatering filling.
Mozzarella, a popular Italian cheese, is another excellent melting cheese for tamales. Its stretchy and stringy texture when melted adds a delightful dimension to the tamales. Mozzarella's mild flavour also makes it a versatile option that can complement a range of ingredients without overpowering them.
Muenster cheese, a mild and slightly tangy melting cheese, is also a wonderful choice for tamales. It has a creamy texture and a subtle flavour that enhances the overall taste of the dish without being overwhelming. Muenster cheese melts smoothly, ensuring a creamy and cohesive filling that blends beautifully with the tamale dough.
In addition to these cheeses, there are other options worth considering. Chihuahua cheese, a Mexican favourite, is often used in tamales and pairs well with jalapeno peppers. Monterey Jack is another versatile cheese that can be used in tamales, offering a similar flavour profile to Mexican Manchego. For a non-traditional twist, a mild feta blended into the dough can add a unique Mediterranean flair to your tamales.
When selecting a cheese for tamales, it is important to avoid aged cheeses as they tend to separate when melted, resulting in a grainy and oily texture. Instead, opt for cheeses that are known for their melting qualities, such as Oaxaca, mozzarella, or Muenster, to ensure a smooth and indulgent filling that enhances the overall taste and texture of your tamales.
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Chihuahua cheese is a popular choice
Chihuahua cheese is a great option for those who want to make vegetarian or vegan tamales, as it can be easily substituted with vegan cheese. The cheese can be sliced and melted, adding a creamy texture to the tamale filling. For those who cannot find Chihuahua cheese, there are several alternative cheeses that can be used, such as Oaxaca, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or Muenster. These cheeses are all mild, white melting cheeses that can be shredded and added to the tamale filling.
When making tamales with Chihuahua cheese, it is important to soak the corn husks in boiling water for at least 30 minutes to make them pliable. The husks should then be drained and placed on a work surface, covered with a clean, damp towel. The masa or dough can be prepared while the husks are soaking. This dough should be light and fluffy, and it can be tested by dropping a small amount into cold water; if it floats, it is ready.
Once the dough and husks are prepared, the tamales can be assembled. The dough is spread onto the corn husk, and the cheese and other fillings are added. The husk is then folded over the filling, enclosing the dough. The tamales are then steamed until cooked through, and they can be served warm or frozen for later.
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Monterey Jack is a common substitute for Oaxaca cheese
Tamales are perfect for breakfast or lunch, and they can be reheated quickly in the microwave. They are a great option for beginners as the filling only requires salsa and grated cheese. The corn masa or dough is also simple to make. Once you have mastered the art of tamale-making, you can fill them with whatever you like.
Oaxaca cheese is a tasty Mexican cheese that is a popular choice for tamales. It is a type of white string cheese that is quite soft and melts very easily. It is made from cow's milk and has a stringy and soft texture. It is also known as quesillo cheese or queso Oaxaca. It is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes, adding a creamy and stretchy element.
However, Oaxaca cheese may not always be available, and this is where Monterey Jack comes in. Monterey Jack is a good substitute for Oaxaca cheese in tamales. While it did not originate in Mexico, it is often used in Tex-Mex recipes and is easily available. It has a similar taste and texture to Oaxaca cheese, although the latter is a bit softer, sweeter, and milder.
Monterey Jack is a semi-soft white cheese with a mild flavour and excellent melting properties. It is a good melting cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes, including tamales, and has a similar consistency and taste to Oaxaca cheese. It is a suitable substitute for those who cannot find Oaxaca cheese in their local markets or grocery stores.
In addition to Monterey Jack, other cheeses that can be used in tamales include mozzarella, Mueller, and Chihuahua cheese. These cheeses have similar melting properties and can be used interchangeably with Oaxaca cheese, depending on what is available and your personal preference.
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Aged cheeses are not good melting cheeses
When preparing tamales, it is important to choose the right cheese that will melt and complement the dish. Aged cheeses are not ideal for melting due to their low moisture content and tightly packed protein networks. During the ageing process, the cheese loses moisture, and its milk protein network becomes more concentrated with fat, making it harder to melt.
Aged cheeses, such as Parmigiano Reggiano and Pecorino Romano, have a higher fat content and a more brittle protein structure, which causes them to create a greasy oil slick when melted. This makes them less suitable for dishes like tamales, where a smooth and creamy cheese texture is often preferred.
In contrast, younger cheeses with higher moisture content and a more relaxed and open casein network melt more easily. Cheeses like mozzarella, Muenster, and young Gouda are excellent choices for tamales as they melt smoothly and create a creamy texture.
For tamales, it is best to choose a mild, white melting cheese. Oaxaca cheese, a popular choice for tamales, melts well and pairs perfectly with grilled or blistered green chile. Other suitable options include mozzarella, Muenster, young Gouda, and Monterey Jack. These cheeses will provide a creamy texture and enhance the overall flavour of the tamales.
While aged cheeses may not be ideal for melting in tamales, they certainly have their place in the culinary world. Aged cheeses offer complex flavours and textures that are often enjoyed on their own or paired with sweeter dishes. Feta cheese, for example, has a salty or tangy taste and a texture that ranges from creamy to crumbly. Halloumi, another aged cheese, can be grilled to achieve a caramelized exterior while keeping the inside soft and sliceable.
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Vegan cheese can be used as a substitute
Tamales are a traditional Mexican dish made from corn dough, filled with meat, vegetables, salsa, or cheese, and wrapped in corn husks or banana leaves. While there are many varieties of cheese that can be used in tamales, such as Oaxaca, Monterey Jack, or Chihuahua, vegan cheese can be used as a substitute.
Tamales de Rajas is a popular vegetarian tamale recipe from Mexico, filled with roasted poblano peppers and cheese. This recipe can be made vegan by substituting vegan cheese for dairy cheese. The blogger behind Mexican Made Meatless, a blog dedicated to vegan Mexican cooking, notes that "you can use either milk cheese or vegan cheese and no one will notice."
To make vegan tamales, you can also substitute vegetable broth for milk and use butter, shortening, or vegetable oil instead of lard. When choosing a vegan cheese, look for one that melts well, as this is a key characteristic of the cheeses traditionally used in tamales. Some options for vegan melting cheeses include vegan cheddar or mozzarella, or you can make your own queso blanco using white beans, nutritional yeast, jalapeno, and soaked cashews.
Vegan tamales are a delicious and fun option for those following a plant-based diet, and with a few simple substitutions, you can enjoy this traditional Mexican dish while adhering to your dietary preferences.
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Frequently asked questions
In Mexico, tamales are typically made with Mexican melting cheeses like Oaxaca. Chihuahua cheese is also a popular choice for tamales, but it can be hard to find outside of Mexico. Other good melting cheeses include Monterey Jack, mozzarella, and Muenster.
Some non-melting cheeses that can be used in tamales include feta, blue cheese, and cream cheese. While these cheeses may not melt as well as others, they can add a unique flavor to the tamales.
Yes, you can use vegan cheese in tamales. There are many vegan cheese options available that melt well and can be sliced, such as Heartbest, Daiya, and Violife.
