Cheese Choices: Tequenos And Their Filling

Tequeños are a popular meal or snack in Venezuela, consisting of fried sticks of wheat dough stuffed with semi-hard cheese. The dough is wrapped around a cheesestick, formed into a breadstick, and then fried or oven-baked. While traditional tequeños are filled with semi-hard cheese, such as queso blanco or queso de freir, people often experiment with different fillings, including gouda, chocolate, ricotta and spinach, and even chorizo. Tequeños can be served as a starter, snack, or party food and are often accompanied by dipping sauces such as guasacaca, a Venezuelan guacamole, or garlic aioli.

Tequeños are made with semi-hard queso blanco

Queso blanco is the traditional cheese used in tequeños, and it is important for achieving the right texture and flavour. The cheese needs to have a high melting point so that it holds its shape while frying. Other suitable cheeses include queso de freir (frying cheese) and halloumi, which have similar melting properties. While other cheeses such as cheddar can be used in a pinch, they will result in a very melted cheese rather than the desired spongy and soft texture.

The exact origin of tequeños is unknown, but they are thought to have originated in Los Teques, Venezuela and are now a popular meal or snack in the country. They are often served as an appetizer or at parties and weddings, and are sometimes accompanied by a dipping sauce such as guasacaca (a type of avocado sauce), garlic aioli, or salsa rosada (a mix of ketchup and mayonnaise).

Tequeños have become increasingly popular in other countries due to the influx of Venezuelan immigrants. They are now enjoyed in Spain and Argentina, and even rural Kentucky, USA.

They can also be made with halloumi, gouda, cheddar, or mozzarella

Tequeños are a popular meal or snack in Venezuela, that can be eaten for breakfast, as an appetiser, or as a snack at parties and weddings. They are made by wrapping dough around cheesesticks, forming them into breadsticks, and then frying or oven-baking them.

While traditional tequeños are filled with semi-hard cheese, such as queso blanco or queso de freir, they can also be made with other varieties of cheese. Halloumi, for instance, is an excellent substitute for the traditional cheeses, as it has a high melting point and will hold its shape while frying. A mature English or Irish cheddar can also be used in a pinch, although the cheese will be very melted as opposed to spongy and soft. Gouda, mozzarella, and chocolate are other popular fillings, although mozzarella doesn't work as well and can result in hollow cheese sticks.

Tequeños are a popular meal or snack in Venezuela

Tequeños are believed to have originated in the city of Los Teques, with one story claiming that they were invented by a creative cook using scraps. Another version of the story says that they were created by the Báez sisters, who lived in Los Teques in 1912, and sold their creation in the city and later in Caracas, where they became very popular. Tequeños are now a staple at any party or gathering in Venezuela, and they are also eaten for breakfast or as an appetizer. They are often served with a dipping sauce, such as guasacaca (an avocado sauce similar to guacamole but with a splash of vinegar), garlic aioli, or salsa rosada (a mix of ketchup and mayonnaise).

While traditional tequeños are filled with semi-hard cheese, people also make and sell them with various fillings. Some popular variations include gouda, chocolate, cheese and bocadillo de guayaba, cheese and chocolate, ricotta and spinach, cheese and ham, and even chorizo in some markets in Spain. There are also vegan versions of tequeños, filled with cashew cheese.

Tequeños have become increasingly popular outside of Venezuela due to the influx of Venezuelan immigrants. They are now commonly found in Spain, Argentina, and other countries.

They are usually fried, but can also be oven-baked

Tequeños are a popular meal or snack in Venezuela, often served at parties and weddings, as well as for breakfast. They are also eaten in other countries, such as Spain and Argentina, due to the influx of Venezuelan immigrants.

Tequeños are usually fried, but can also be oven-baked. The dough is wrapped around a cheesestick, formed into a breadstick, and then cooked. The dough can be made with different ingredients, such as butter, oil, or milk, and can be prepared in advance. The cheese is key to the dish, with queso blanco or queso de freir being the best choices as they have a high melting point and will hold their shape while frying. Halloumi is an excellent substitute, and white mature English or Irish cheddar can also be used. The cheese is cut into sticks and then wrapped in the dough, which is then sealed by pressing the edges together.

When frying, the oil should be heated to 350°F before adding the tequeños in batches of 3 or 4, turning them until they are golden brown. They can be served immediately with a sauce, such as guasacaca, a Venezuelan guacamole, or aioli. Leftover tequeños can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven.

Oven-baked tequeños can be made by pokeing a hole in the middle of the dough before cooking, which creates extra crispiness. They can also be deep-fried to achieve a crispy texture.

Tequeños are often served with an avocado sauce called guasacaca

Tequeños are Venezuelan cheese sticks—fried dough wrapped around semi-hard queso blanco or cheese batons. They are often served with an avocado sauce called guasacaca, which is Venezuela's answer to guacamole. Guasacaca is a bright green sauce with a tangy, punchy flavour. It is made with avocados, olive oil, salt, pepper, lime juice or vinegar, cilantro, parsley, green bell peppers, onions, garlic, and chilli peppers. It is thinner than guacamole and is designed as a condiment to drizzle over various dishes.

The name guasacaca is also spelled wasakaka and is pronounced the same. The sauce is served with grilled food, arepas, empanadas, and various other dishes. It is common to make the sauce with a little hot sauce instead of jalapeño.

Tequeños are often served with guasacaca, but they can also be eaten on their own or with other dipping sauces such as garlic aioli or salsa rosada, a mix of ketchup and mayonnaise. Tequeños are a popular meal or snack in Venezuela, often eaten for breakfast, as an appetiser, or as a snack at parties and weddings. They are also increasingly popular in other countries, such as Spain and Argentina, due to the influx of Venezuelan immigrants.

Tequeños are thought to have originated in Los Teques, with one story claiming that they were invented by a cook who got creative with scraps. Another version says that they were invented by the Báez sisters, who lived in Los Teques in 1912 and sold their creation in the city and later in Caracas, where they gained great popularity.

Frequently asked questions