Patrick Oconnell
Tostadas are a popular Mexican dish, often served as an open-faced sandwich. They are made with a fried corn tortilla, topped with refried beans, shredded cheese, salsa, and other toppings. While there are many types of cheese that can be used on a tostada, some of the most common include cotija, queso fresco, and Oaxaca. Cotija is a dry and crumbly cheese with a sharp, salty flavour similar to Parmesan. Queso fresco is a fresh, crumbly, and salty Mexican cheese similar to feta. Oaxaca is a soft, white string cheese that melts easily, making it a popular choice for fillings. Other types of cheese that can be used on tostadas include Monterey Jack, Cheddar, and Panela.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of cheese | Queso fresco, Cotija, Doble crema, Oaxaca, Panela, Feta, Parmesan, Monterrey, Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Manchego, Crema, Requesón, Asadero, Chihuahua, Enchilado, Añejo |
| Texture | Crumbly, shredded, melty, smooth, dry, hard, salty, non-salty, creamy, sharp |
| Taste | Salty, tangy, spicy, mild |
| Colour | White, light yellow |
| Use | Topping, filling, spread, dip, snack |
What You'll Learn
Queso Fresco
One recipe for a tostada with queso fresco involves frying a corn tortilla and topping it with refried beans, ground beef, lettuce, avocado, salsa, sour cream, and hot sauce. The queso fresco is then sprinkled on top.
Another recipe for a fresh cheese tostada with Oaxacan flavours uses queso fresco, olive oil, oregano, black pepper, Oaxacan Pasilla Salsa, and cilantro leaves. The cheese is combined with the oil, oregano, and black pepper, and then piled onto a crisp-fried tortilla, before being topped with salsa and cilantro leaves.
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Cotija
When making a tostada with Cotija cheese, it is best to use it as a topping rather than mixing it into the filling. This will allow the cheese to retain its texture and flavour.
In addition to Cotija, other common cheeses used in tostadas include Queso Fresco, Panela, and Oaxaca.
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Panela
One tostada recipe that uses panela is Tostadas con Nopales y Queso Panela. This recipe features a fresh salad made with nopales (cactus paddles) and topped with queso panela. The tostadas can be served as an appetizer or alongside carne asada or grilled chicken.
Another recipe idea is baked panela cheese, which can be served as an appetizer or enjoyed with wine. To make this, panela cheese is marinated with herbs and spices and then baked in the oven until soft and gooey.
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Monterey Jack
When making a tostada, you can sprinkle grated Monterey Jack over the other toppings before serving, or you can bake it in the oven with the other ingredients for a few minutes to let it melt.
In addition to its flavour and texture, another benefit of using Monterey Jack is that it's widely available in grocery stores, so you won't have to search far and wide for this cheese. This makes it a convenient option if you're in a hurry or don't have access to specialty cheese shops.
While Monterey Jack is a good choice for a Mexican tostada, there are also several traditional Mexican cheeses that are commonly used. These include Queso Fresco, Cotija, Panela, and Oaxaca. So, if you're looking for an authentic Mexican flavour, you may want to opt for one of these cheeses instead. However, if you're looking for a widely accessible and versatile cheese that works well with Mexican ingredients, Monterey Jack is a great option.
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Cheddar
When preparing a tostada, the first layer is typically refried beans, which provide a good base for the other toppings to stick to. After spreading the beans, you can add your choice of meat, such as ground beef, shredded chicken, or pork. Then, you can add shredded lettuce, salsa, and avocado. Finally, you can top it off with shredded Cheddar cheese and place it in the oven to melt the cheese.
So, if you're looking for a cheese option for your Mexican tostadas, Cheddar is a great choice, especially if you want to add a familiar, melty, and tangy flavour to your dish.
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Frequently asked questions
Cotija Mexican cheese is traditionally used, but any type of finely shredded cheese is fine.
Yes, feta is a suitable substitute for Mexican cheese as it is similar to the Mexican queso fresco.
Monterey Jack, Cheddar, Oaxaca, Panela, and Queso Fresco are all suitable options.
Oaxaca cheese is a good melting cheese, as are Asadero and Chihuahua.
Queso Fresco is a good option as it is a fresh, crumbly, and salty cheese that does not melt easily.
