Randy Chandler
Panela cheese, also known as queso panela, is a Mexican cheese made from cow's milk. It is a versatile, semi-soft, fresh cheese with a mild flavour and a soft, crumbly texture. Panela cheese is a good source of calcium and protein and is suitable for those who are lactose intolerant. It is often consumed fresh, without ageing, and can be baked, grilled, fried, or crumbled on top of a salad. The cheese holds its shape when heated, making it a popular choice for grilling and frying.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Curd-style, semi-soft, fresh, crumbly, firm, moist, low-fat |
| Texture | Smooth, slightly crumbly |
| Flavor | Mild, delicate, fresh, milky |
| Made From | Cow's milk (pasteurized or raw), skim milk, rennet, sea salt |
| Lactose-Free | Yes |
| Melting | No |
| Uses | Crumbled on top of salads, tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, nopal salads, etc.; sliced and added to sandwiches, corn tortillas, etc.; fried; baked; grilled |
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What You'll Learn
- Panela cheese is a good source of calcium and protein, making it a nutritious addition to your diet
- It is also an excellent option for those who are lactose intolerant as it is made from cow's milk
- Panela is a versatile Mexican cheese that can be crumbled on top of a salad or enjoyed by itself
- It can be baked, grilled, fried, or sautéed
- Panela can be used as a filling for enchiladas, sliced and melted over a chicken breast sandwich, or served cold as a snack with crackers
Panela cheese is a good source of calcium and protein, making it a nutritious addition to your diet
Panela cheese is a Mexican cheese made from cow's milk. It is typically made with pasteurized milk, although traditional Mexican panela is made with raw milk. The cheese is known for its mild flavour, soft texture, and low-fat content. It is a good source of calcium and protein, making it a nutritious addition to your diet.
Panela cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. Its high melting point means it is excellent for grilling and frying. It can be sliced and grilled on a corn tortilla or crusty bread, or fried with salsa as an appetizer. It can also be crumbled and used as a topping for salads, tacos, quesadillas, and more. For an easy snack, panela slices can be tucked into corn tortillas or served with crackers.
The cheese can also be baked, making it a fun and delicious ingredient to experiment with. One popular recipe involves marinating the cheese with herbs and spices, poking holes in it, and then baking it. This creates a light and creamy appetizer that pairs well with wine. Baked panela cheese can also be served with chips or spooned into warm tortillas for tacos.
In addition to its culinary uses, panela cheese is a healthy and nutritious option. It is a good source of calcium and protein, which are essential nutrients for maintaining strong bones and muscles. The cheese is also suitable for individuals who are lactose intolerant, as the cheese-making process removes most of the lactose present in the milk.
Overall, panela cheese is a versatile and nutritious ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. Its mild flavour and soft texture make it a popular choice for those seeking a healthy and delicious cheese option.
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It is also an excellent option for those who are lactose intolerant as it is made from cow's milk
Panela cheese is a Mexican cheese made from cow's milk. It is a versatile, fresh, crumbly cheese with a mild flavour and a soft texture. It is typically made from pasteurized cow's milk, although traditional Mexican cheese is often made with raw milk. The pasteurization process involves heating milk to kill harmful bacteria and other microorganisms, ensuring the safety and quality of the cheese.
Panela cheese is an excellent option for those who are lactose intolerant. The process of making panela cheese involves removing most of the lactose present in the milk. This makes it a delicious and nutritious choice for those who are lactose intolerant or have difficulty digesting lactose.
The cheese has a delicate creaminess that allows other ingredients and flavours to shine when paired with it. It has a slightly crumbly yet smooth texture, making it ideal for bold spices, herbs, and marinades to cling to. Panela cheese can be baked, grilled, fried, or enjoyed fresh. It can be sliced, cubed, crumbled, or grated and added to various dishes such as salads, tacos, enchiladas, sandwiches, or appetizers.
When heated, panela cheese becomes creamy but retains its shape. It is a good source of calcium and protein, making it a nutritious addition to a balanced diet when consumed in moderation. It is also a low-fat cheese, making it a popular choice for cooks seeking healthier options.
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Panela is a versatile Mexican cheese that can be crumbled on top of a salad or enjoyed by itself
Panela, or queso panela, is a versatile Mexican cheese with a mild flavour and soft, crumbly texture. It is made from cow's milk and is a good source of calcium and protein. Its versatility means it can be used in a variety of dishes, including:
Crumbled on Top of a Salad
As a topping, panela adds a creamy texture and mild flavour to salads. It can be crumbled over a variety of salads, such as lettuce and pasta salads, or nopal salads.
Enjoyed by Itself
Panela can be enjoyed on its own, either fresh or cooked on a griddle. Its mild flavour and soft texture make it a delightful snack, and it can be cut into thick slices, broken into smaller pieces, or grated.
Fried or Baked
Panela is an excellent cheese for frying or baking as it retains its shape and doesn't melt when heated. It can be sliced and fried with salsa fresca as an appetiser or baked and served with warm tortillas for tacos.
As a Substitute
Panela can be used as a substitute for halloumi, a Cypriot cheese. Like halloumi, panela can be grilled and added to salads or sandwiches.
With its mild flavour and soft texture, panela cheese is a versatile ingredient that can enhance a variety of dishes, making it a popular choice in Mexican cuisine and beyond.
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It can be baked, grilled, fried, or sautéed
Panela cheese is a Mexican cheese with a mild flavour and a soft, crumbly texture. It is typically made from pasteurised cow's milk, although it can also be made with raw milk. It is a good source of calcium and protein and is suitable for those who are lactose intolerant.
Given its versatility, panela cheese can be baked, grilled, fried, or sautéed. When heated, it becomes creamy but retains its shape. Here are some ways to prepare panela cheese using these methods:
Baking
Panela cheese can be baked in the oven and served as an appetiser or side dish. One popular method is to cover the bottom of a baking dish with salsa, lay the cheese on top, and cook it until the cheese is golden and bubbly. This can be served with tortilla chips or spooned into warm tortillas for tacos. You can also bake the cheese whole and then slice and serve it with crusty bread and salsa.
Grilling
Panela cheese can be sliced and grilled until golden brown, then served with salsa. It can also be grilled and added to salads, similar to halloumi.
Frying
Panela cheese can be fried in thick slices, retaining its shape and developing a golden crust. It can be fried with salsa fresca as an appetiser or fried with onions and bell peppers as a side dish.
Sautéing
Panela cheese can be sautéed with salsa and used as a filling for tacos or enchiladas.
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Panela can be used as a filling for enchiladas, sliced and melted over a chicken breast sandwich, or served cold as a snack with crackers
Panela is a Mexican cheese with a mild flavour and a soft, crumbly texture. It is made from cow's milk and is typically consumed fresh, without ageing. Its texture and flavour make it an excellent base for herbs and spices to cling to.
Panela is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes. It can be crumbled over salads, fried, baked, or grilled. Its high melting point means it holds its shape well, making it a good substitute for halloumi.
One popular use for panela is as a filling for enchiladas. Its crumbly texture and ability to soften when heated without melting make it an ideal cheese for this dish.
Panela can also be sliced and used in sandwiches, such as Mexican cemita or torta. Its mild flavour means it can be paired with chicken breast without being overwhelming.
Finally, panela can be served cold as a snack. Its firm texture means it can be cut into thick slices and served with crackers.
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Frequently asked questions
Panela cheese, also known as queso panela, is a popular fresh cheese that originates from Mexico. It is made from pasteurized cow's milk and has a soft and crumbly texture. It is known for its mild, slightly sweet flavour.
Panela cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, both savoury and sweet. It can be sliced, crumbled, fried, baked, stuffed into pastries, or melted into sauces. It is commonly used in Mexican dishes such as enchiladas, tacos, quesadillas, and sandwiches. It can also be enjoyed as a snack with honey or fruit.
Panela cheese has a mild, slightly sweet flavour. It is lower in fat and calories compared to some other cheeses, making it a suitable choice for those watching their calorie intake. It is also a good source of protein, calcium, and vitamin B12.
Panela cheese can be found in Latin American markets or specialty food stores. It is typically sold as a white, inverted conical cheese in pieces ranging from 500g to 2kg.
