Esquite Toppings: The Best Cheeses To Elevate Your Dish

Esquites is a Mexican street food made with corn, mayonnaise, lime juice, cotija cheese, and chili powder. The corn is typically grilled or sauteed before being cut off the cob and mixed with the other ingredients. The dish can be served as a snack, appetizer, or side, and is often served in small cups for easy snacking. While cotija cheese is traditional, feta or parmesan can be used as substitutes.

Cotija cheese is best, but feta or parmesan are good substitutes

However, if you can't get your hands on cotija, feta or parmesan are good substitutes. Feta is a Greek brined curd cheese, made from sheep's milk, or a mixture of sheep and goat's milk. It is similarly salty and crumbly to cotija, and will add a tangy, savoury note to your esquites. Parmesan is a hard Italian cheese, made from cow's milk, with a strong, savoury flavour. It is often used as a substitute for cotija, and will add a salty, umami note to your dish.

If you want to keep things as authentic as possible, it's worth seeking out cotija, but feta or parmesan will work in a pinch!

Crumbly, salty cotija is a Mexican cow's milk cheese

Cotija is the perfect cheese for Esquites as it adds a salty, milky accent to the dish. It is also a good cheese to use as it is crumbly and therefore easy to sprinkle over the corn salad.

Cotija is available at well-stocked grocery stores and can be found near the goat's cheese. If you can't find Cotija, feta or Parmesan are good substitutes.

Cotija can be found in well-stocked grocery stores or Mexican grocers

Cotija cheese is a traditional ingredient in esquites, a Mexican street food dish featuring corn, mayonnaise, lime juice, and chili powder. It is a crumbly, creamy, and salty cow's milk cheese that adds a milky and salty accent to the salad.

If you're looking to purchase Cotija cheese, you can typically find it at well-stocked grocery stores or Mexican grocers. For example, in the United States, it is available at Whole Foods, usually near the goat cheese.

In case you are unable to locate Cotija cheese, there are alternative options you can use. Feta or Parmesan cheese would be suitable substitutes and are more readily available at most grocery stores. These cheeses will provide a similar salty and crumbly texture to your esquites.

Additionally, if you are looking for a dairy-free or vegan option, you can simply omit the Cotija cheese from the recipe. The dish will still be delicious and flavorful due to the combination of other ingredients such as corn, mayonnaise, lime juice, and spices.

Cotija is sometimes seasoned with chilli powder

Cotija is a crumbly, creamy, and salty cow's milk cheese. It is a popular topping for Mexican street corn salad, known as esquites. The cheese adds a salty and milky flavour to the dish.

Cotija cheese is typically seasoned with chilli powder, which gives the dish an extra kick. The type of chilli powder used can vary depending on preference and availability. Some common options include ancho chilli powder, chipotle chilli powder, or cayenne pepper. These spices not only enhance the flavour of the cheese but also add a vibrant colour to the dish.

When preparing esquites, the corn kernels are usually mixed with mayonnaise, lime juice, and cotija cheese. This mixture is then seasoned with chilli powder and other spices to taste. The addition of chilli powder not only enhances the flavour of the dish but also adds a touch of heat, making it a popular and tasty snack or appetizer.

The beauty of esquites lies in its versatility. While cotija cheese is traditionally used, it can be substituted with other cheeses such as feta or Parmesan if cotija is unavailable. Additionally, the dish can be customised to one's preferred spice level by adjusting the amount and type of chilli powder used.

Esquites is a delicious and easy-to-make Mexican street food that can be enjoyed as a snack, appetizer, or side dish. The combination of corn, mayonnaise, lime juice, and seasoned cotija cheese creates a unique and addictive flavour that keeps people coming back for more.

If you can't find cotija, feta or parmesan are the next best options

Cotija cheese is a dry, crumbly, creamy, and salty cow's milk cheese that is often used in esquites. It can be found at well-stocked grocery stores or Mexican grocers. However, if you can't get your hands on it, feta or Parmesan cheese are the next best options. Feta is a Greek cow's milk or sheep's milk cheese that is salty and crumbly, similar to Cotija. Parmesan, on the other hand, is a hard, cow's milk cheese with a strong, savoury flavour. It is often used as a substitute when a recipe calls for Cotija.

When substituting feta or Parmesan for Cotija in esquites, it is important to note that these cheeses may have slightly different textures and flavours. Feta, for example, is softer and more crumbly than Cotija, so you may need to adjust the amount used in the recipe. Parmesan, on the other hand, is harder and has a stronger flavour, so you may want to use less or adjust the other ingredients to balance the dish.

In addition to the type of cheese, the amount used, and the overall flavour profile of the dish, the texture of the cheese is also an important consideration. Cotija is typically grated or crumbled into small pieces, so feta or Parmesan should be prepared in a similar way to achieve the desired texture in the final dish.

Whether you use feta or Parmesan as a substitute for Cotija, the key is to taste as you go and adjust the other ingredients as needed. This will ensure that your esquites still have the desired flavour and texture, even without the traditional Cotija cheese.

Frequently asked questions