White Queso: What Cheeses Make This Dish?

White queso is a popular Mexican dip that is typically made with white American cheese, milk, and butter. The cheese is melted in a saucepan over low heat, and various spices and peppers can be added for extra flavor and spice. This dip is often served with tortilla chips, tacos, or other Mexican dishes.

White American Cheese

To make a white queso dip, you will need:

• White American cheese
• Milk (evaporated milk is recommended for the best results)
• Butter
• Green chillies
• Cumin
• Garlic salt
• Cayenne pepper

Optional ingredients include:

• Mozzarella
• Jalapenos
• Spices (salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, chilli powder or cumin, and nutmeg)

Place the cheese, milk, and butter in a saucepan over low heat. Heat until melted, stirring frequently. Then, stir in the green chillies, cumin, garlic salt, and cayenne pepper. You can add more milk if you want the dip to be thinner. Serve immediately with tortilla chips, tortillas, and your favourite Mexican dish.

Some people also like to add in other types of cheese, such as Monterey Jack, to enhance the flavour. You can also add in meat, such as ground beef or sausage, to make it even more hearty and delicious.

Mozzarella

When making white queso, it is important to grate the mozzarella finely and add it to the mix in small batches to ensure it melts smoothly and evenly. Adding the mozzarella in small increments also helps prevent the cheese from seizing up and achieves the desired creamy consistency.

In addition to enhancing the flavour and texture of white queso, mozzarella is also a convenient and accessible cheese to use. It can be easily sourced from local delis and grocery stores, making it a popular choice for those wanting to recreate the cheesy goodness of white queso at home.

While mozzarella is not a traditional cheese used in authentic Mexican queso, its combination with white American cheese has become a popular twist, resulting in a unique blend of smooth creaminess and stretchy, melty goodness.

Evaporated Milk

To make white queso, heat the evaporated milk over medium-low heat. Once warm, whisk in cornstarch. Then, stir in shredded cheese in batches. Once the cheese has melted, add in your desired spices and toppings.

Some recipes suggest adding in a splash of milk if the queso becomes too thick. However, this should be avoided if you plan to reheat the queso, as it may cause it to split.

Cornstarch

When making white queso, cornstarch is combined with evaporated milk to create a stable emulsion with the melted cheese. Cornstarch molecules absorb water and expand, thickening the liquid and preventing the cheese proteins from forming long, tangled strands and the fats from separating. This results in a smooth and homogeneous sauce.

The recommended ratio for a thick and dippable queso is one tablespoon of cornstarch per pound of cheese, along with at least five ounces of evaporated milk. Additional evaporated milk can then be added to thin out the queso to the desired consistency.

It is important to note that cornstarch should be added gradually and adjusted to taste, as some home cooks have reported that their queso turned out too thick or grainy due to the cornstarch. It is also essential to use freshly grated cheese, as pre-shredded cheese can contain anti-clumping agents that may affect the texture.

With the right balance of cornstarch, evaporated milk, and freshly grated cheese, you can create a delicious and creamy white queso dip that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Jalapenos

When preparing jalapenos for white queso, they are typically chopped or seeded and minced. Some recipes call for roasted jalapenos, which adds a deeper, slightly charred flavour to the dip. In addition to fresh jalapenos, pickled jalapenos can be used, and the juice from the jar can be added to the queso to enhance the flavour and spice level.

The level of spice in white queso can be adjusted to suit individual tastes. For those who prefer a milder flavour, the amount of jalapeno can be reduced, or other mild peppers such as green chillies can be used instead. On the other hand, for those who like their queso extra spicy, additional diced jalapenos can be added to the dip or used as a garnish.

In addition to their flavour contribution, jalapenos also offer some nutritional benefits. They are a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, and K, as well as potassium and folate. They also contain capsaicin, the compound that gives them their spiciness, which has been linked to various health benefits, including potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Frequently asked questions