The Perfect Cheesy Elote: Choosing The Right Cheese

Elote, or Mexican street corn, is a popular Mexican street food consisting of grilled corn on the cob topped with a mixture of spices, cheese, and condiments. The exact ingredients used can vary, but the core components are grilled corn, cheese, and a sauce made with mayonnaise, lime juice, and chili powder. The traditional cheese used in elote is cotija, a hard, crumbly Mexican cheese with a strong, salty flavour. However, other types of cheese such as shredded cheddar, feta, or crumbly queso fresco can also be used. The choice of cheese depends on the desired texture and flavour profile, as different cheeses melt and complement the other ingredients in unique ways.

Cotija Cheese

To make elote, start by grilling the corn until it's lightly charred all over. Then, roll the corn in melted butter and spread with a thin layer of mayonnaise or Mexican crema. Next, sprinkle the corn with cotija cheese and add your desired amount of chili powder. Finally, serve the elote garnished with cilantro and a lime wedge on the side for squeezing over the top.

Elote is best served fresh, but if you're making it for a group, you can grill the corn in advance and add the butter, mayonnaise, and cheese right before serving. This way, you can enjoy the delicious combination of sweet, salty, creamy, tangy, smoky, and spicy flavours in every bite!

Feta Cheese

To make elote, you first need to grill the corn on the cob until it is charred all over. Then, you coat the corn with a creamy mixture, which typically includes mayonnaise, sour cream, or Mexican crema. The corn is then seasoned with spices such as chilli powder, cumin, and paprika, and topped with crumbled feta cheese. Finally, the elote is served with lime wedges on the side.

Some recipes also suggest adding ingredients like fresh herbs (such as cilantro), lime juice, and garlic to the creamy mixture to enhance the flavour and texture of the dish.

While Cotija cheese is traditional, feta cheese is a suitable alternative that can be used to create a delicious elote dish.

Cheddar Cheese

Elote is a popular Mexican street food consisting of grilled corn on the cob topped with a mixture of spices, cheese, and condiments. While traditional elote uses cotija cheese, shredded cheddar cheese is a popular substitute. This is due to its ease of melting and the rich, creamy texture it adds to the dish.

The Cheese

Shredded cheddar cheese can be sprinkled on top of the elote or mixed into the corn mixture. It is important to note that the amount of cheese used may vary depending on personal preference.

The Corn

The corn is grilled until the kernels are cooked and slightly charred, then spread with a thin layer of crema mixture (a combination of mayonnaise and Mexican crema or sour cream). The cheese is then sprinkled on top, followed by chili powder and lime juice to taste.

The Seasoning

The classic seasoning for elote is chili powder, but smoked paprika can also be used. The corn can be garnished with fresh cilantro, and a lime wedge is served on the side for squeezing.

Reheating and Storage

Elote is best served fresh, but it can be reheated in the microwave or oven. Fully prepared elote can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, but it is recommended to be eaten fresh. Freezing is not advised.

Queso Fresco

When choosing cheese for elote, it is important to consider factors such as melting point, flavour profile, fat content, and texture to ensure that the cheese complements the other ingredients in the dish. For example, hard cheeses like cotija tend to crumble and add texture, while soft cheeses like queso fresco tend to melt and create a creamier texture.

To incorporate queso fresco into elote, you can mix it into the corn mixture, spread it on top of the corn and broil until melted, or mix it with other ingredients like mayonnaise, sour cream, or crema to create a creamy and flavourful sauce.

Experimenting with different combinations of ingredients is the best way to find the perfect combination for a delicious and satisfying dish of elote.

Parmesan Cheese

When choosing to use Parmesan cheese on your Elote, it is important to consider the melting point of the cheese. Parmesan cheese has a higher melting point than some other cheeses, so it will not melt as easily when sprinkled on top of the Elote. If you want a creamier texture, you can mix the Parmesan cheese with mayonnaise, sour cream, or crema to create a sauce that can be spread over the corn.

In addition to the cheese, Elote is typically seasoned with a blend of chili powder, cumin, and paprika. The right blend of spices can enhance the flavour of the dish and make it even more irresistible. The acidic tang of the lime juice also helps to balance out the richness of the other ingredients.

When preparing Elote with Parmesan cheese, you can follow these steps:

• Grill the corn until it is lightly charred.
• Mix the Parmesan cheese with mayonnaise, sour cream, or crema to create a sauce.
• Spread the sauce over the grilled corn.
• Sprinkle the Elote with the desired amount of chili powder and other spices.
• Serve the Elote with lime wedges on the side for squeezing.

Using Parmesan cheese on Mexican Elote is a delicious and satisfying option. Experimenting with different types of cheese and combinations of ingredients can help you find the perfect flavour profile for this tasty and creamy dish.

Frequently asked questions