Patrick Oconnell
White cheese is a versatile ingredient used in global cuisines, with varieties ranging from soft cheeses like ricotta to firmer types like mozzarella and queso blanco. In Latin America, queso blanco, also known as queso fresco, is a common variety of white cheese used in frying or grilling and is often added to Latin American dishes for a mild but flavorful touch. White cheese is also a traditional food in Balkan and Middle Eastern regions, with varieties such as feta, halloumi, and paneer. In Levantine cuisine, for example, Akkawi, a salty and semi-hard white cheese, is commonly used.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common types | Feta, Ricotta, Mozzarella, Queso Blanco, Mascarpone, Asiago, Akkawi, Nabulsi, Halloumi, Indian Paneer, Farmer Cheese, Pot Cheese, Minas Cheese, Queso Costeño, Oaxaca Cheese, Panela Cheese, Queso de Mano, Kesong Puti, Caș, Telemea, Beyaz Peynir, Cottage Cheese, Gouda |
| Texture | Crumbly, creamy, firm, smooth, semi-soft, soft, fresh |
| Flavor | Mild, salty, tangy, sweet |
| Use cases | Salads, frying, grilling, melting, sandwiches, pizzas, quesadillas, cheesecake, fillings, toppings, side dishes |
| Culinary regions | Greek, Italian, Levantine, Brazilian, Caribbean, Mexican, Iberian Peninsula, Romanian, Venezuelan, Balkan, Middle Eastern, Danish |
Explore related products
![Artisan Cheese Making at Home: Techniques & Recipes for Mastering World-Class Cheeses [A Cookbook]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81eH1+cYeZL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
Frying and grilling
White cheese is used in various ways across different cuisines, especially in frying and grilling. In Nicaraguan and Dominican Republic cuisines, queso blanco, a firm cheese, is used for frying, known as queso frito. Similarly, in Puerto Rican cuisine, queso blanco is also fried and paired with guava paste. Queso blanco is also used for frying in Venezuela, where it is served as a snack or as part of a meal. In Mexico, queso panela, a white cheese made from cow's milk, is used for grilling and frying, and it holds its shape without melting. It is used in nopal salads, quesadillas, and tacos. Another Mexican variation of white cheese, queso fresco, can also be grilled or fried and used as a topping for tacos.
Halloumi, a white cheese originating from Cyprus, is commonly used for grilling and frying in Middle Eastern cuisine. It has a high melting point, making it suitable for grilling or pan-frying. Before grilling, halloumi is typically brushed with olive oil and placed directly on the grill grate to achieve grill marks. It can also be pan-fried or thinly sliced and fried until golden brown. Halloumi is a suitable substitute for Brazilian queijo de coalho (rennet cheese).
Mastelo, a hard white cheese similar to halloumi, is another option for grilling. Produced on the Greek island of Chios, it has a high melting point and is often used to make saganaki, a dish served as part of a mezze platter. Feta, a Greek cheese made from sheep or goat's milk, is another option for grilling. It has a tangy and salty flavour and develops a crispy exterior when grilled, with a slightly softened middle.
The Ultimate Guide to Using Cheese K
You may want to see also
Salads
White cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of salads, adding flavour, texture, and richness. When adding cheese to a salad, it is important to choose a variety that has substance and can be crumbled, shredded, grated, or shaved to provide a contrasting texture to the greens and acidity of the dressing.
Feta, a salty and tangy sheep's milk cheese from the Middle East, is one of the most popular choices for salads. Its distinct flavour and texture make it a perfect complement to extra virgin olive oil-based dressings. Feta can be crumbled over a classic Greek salad or paired with roasted beets for a unique flavour profile. For a twist on the traditional, try using blue cheese instead of feta in a Greek salad with lettuce, pear, and walnut, topped with a honey dressing.
Parmesan, or Parm, is another classic salad cheese. Its grainy texture and rich, nutty flavour make it a versatile ingredient that can be shaved or grated over a variety of salads. Try shaved Parm over grilled asparagus with an anchovy-laced Dijon vinaigrette, or add it to a butter lettuce salad with bacon, croutons, and a lemony vinaigrette. For a simple yet elegant option, shredded Parmesan can elevate a basic chop salad.
Cottage cheese, with its salty-sweet, milky, and creamy texture, is another option for salads. It pairs well with sweet and juicy fruits like peaches and pineapple. For a unique take on a caprese salad, replace the burrata with dollops of large-curd cottage cheese and add peaches and peas or a mix of cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, basil, and herby vinaigrette.
Other white cheeses that can be used in salads include halloumi, which can be grilled or pan-fried and added to salads, and goat cheese, which can be fried or crumbled over greens. For a more indulgent option, try shaving or grating creamy cheeses like Drunken Goat or Akawi over your salad for a subtle salty flavour.
Cheese Options for White Pizza
You may want to see also
Sandwiches
White cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of sandwiches, adding flavour, texture, and creaminess. The type of white cheese used depends on the desired taste and the other ingredients in the sandwich.
One classic sandwich that uses white cheese is the grilled cheese. White American cheese, such as Kraft Singles, is a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches due to its smooth and meltable texture. This type of processed cheese is made from a combination of cheeses, such as cheddar and Colby, along with emulsifying agents and other ingredients. Its mild, creamy texture and salty flavour make it a reliable option for grilled cheese sandwiches.
Another variety of white cheese used in sandwiches is Monterey Jack, also known as Jack cheese. This semi-soft cheese has a buttery-ivory colour and a high moisture content, making it ideal for melting. Fresh Jack cheese is often used in sandwiches, while aged Jack becomes harder and is used as a grating cheese. Its ability to melt beautifully makes it a good choice for grilled cheese sandwiches or cooked dishes.
Muenster is another type of white cheese that can be used in sandwiches. It has a smooth texture and a mild to sharp flavour, depending on its age. Muenster melts well, making it suitable for grilled cheese sandwiches or other warm dishes. Its soft texture and meltability also make it a good choice for cheeseburgers.
White cheese can also be used in cold sandwiches, such as the classic British cheese sandwich. Cheddar is the traditional choice for this sandwich, but other varieties such as Red Leicester, Double Gloucester, White Cheshire, or Shropshire Red can also be used. Grated or shaved cheese is recommended to ensure even distribution and prevent spillage.
Feta, a soft and moist white cheese with a salty flavour, can also be used in sandwiches. Its crumbly texture and salty taste can add a unique dimension to a sandwich. Feta is often paired with ingredients like lettuce, tomato, cucumbers, olive oil, and fresh basil in Greek-inspired sandwiches.
Cojita Cheese: Creative Culinary Applications
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Pizza
White cheese is used in pizza, among other dishes. White pizza, or Pizza Bianca, is made without tomato or marinara sauce. The white colour comes from the mozzarella cheese. The pizza typically includes ricotta cheese, herbs, and garlic, and is often topped with parmesan or pecorino romano cheese.
White pizza dough can be made with added garlic and rosemary, or with the ingredients mixed directly into the dough. The dough is then brushed with olive oil, and the ricotta spread on top. Fresh mozzarella is then added, and the pizza is baked until the cheese is melted.
Some recipes suggest adding Italian herbs, red pepper flakes, or parsley to the pizza before baking. Other recipes suggest adding meat or vegetables to the pizza, such as sauteed spinach, mushrooms, olives, or Italian chicken meatballs.
White pizza is especially popular in New York, where it is made with hand-stretched, cold-fermented dough and mozzarella and ricotta cheeses.
The Best Cheeses to Create a Perfect Knafeh
You may want to see also
Cheesecake
White cheese is used in a variety of dishes, and one of the most popular uses is in cheesecakes. Cheesecake is a dessert with a rich history, dating back to 77AD, and over the years, it has evolved into a variety of different recipes with many ingredients. The type of cheese used in a cheesecake varies according to regional preferences and traditions.
In Italy, cheesecakes are typically made with ricotta cheese. Ricotta is a soft, creamy, and moist cheese with a crumbly texture. It is made by reheating the mixture of whey, milk, acid, and a little curd. This process results in a cheese with a short shelf life, so it must be used quickly after purchase. Ricotta cheesecake is considered a classic Italian dessert, often served with coffee.
In the United States, cream cheese is the most common type of cheese used in cheesecakes. Specifically, Philadelphia cream cheese, which originated as a result of a dairy farmer's accidental addition of too much cream to Neufchatel cheese, is a popular choice. Cream cheese is a fresh, unaged, soft cheese that lends a creamy texture and flavourful taste to the cheesecake. It is typically paired with a buttery graham cracker crust, creating a harmonious combination.
Additionally, other types of white cheese can be used in cheesecakes. For instance, mascarpone, a cow's milk cheese from Italy, can be added to enhance the flavour and texture of the dessert. Neufchatel, a mould-ripened cheese from France, is another option for those seeking a European-style cheesecake. Skyr, a light ingredient commonly used in Icelandic no-bake cheesecakes, is often paired with peach jelly or blueberries for a refreshing twist.
Oaxaca Cheese: The Ultimate Quesadilla Experience
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
In the US, white cheese is commonly used in grilled cheese sandwiches.
In Mediterranean cuisine, white cheese is used in salads (feta and mozzarella) and pizzas (mozzarella).
In Middle Eastern cuisine, white cheese is used in frying or grilling (queso blanco).
In South America, white cheese is used in arepas and cachapas (Venezuelan soft white cheese) and mote de queso (Colombian Caribbean Coast).
