Frederic Melton
Tamales are a traditional Mexican dish that is often served during celebrations and holidays. They are made by spreading a corn dough called masa onto a corn husk, filling it with various ingredients, and then folding and steaming the husk to cook the tamale. One popular type of tamale is the cheese tamale, which can be made with different types of cheese, depending on the region and personal preference. Some common cheeses used in cheese tamales include Oaxaca, Monterey Jack, Chihuahua, Muenster, mozzarella, and cream cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Oaxaca, Monterey Jack, Chihuahua, Cream Cheese, Mozzarella, Muenster, Cheddar, Pepper Jack |
| Tamale Ingredients | Cheese, Corn Masa/Dough, Salsa, Jalapeño, Poblano Chiles, Spicy Tomatillo Sauce |
| Tamale Assembly | Spread masa on corn husk, add cheese filling, fold sides, fold bottom, tie with twine or corn husk strip |
| Tamale Cooking | Steam tamales in a pot with 1 inch of water for 1-2 hours, let rest for 5-15 minutes, serve with salsa |
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What You'll Learn
Oaxaca cheese is a popular choice
Tamales are a popular Mexican dish, often served during big family dinners and holidays. They are made by spreading dough onto a corn husk, adding a filling, and then folding the corn husk to enclose the filling before steaming.
Oaxaca cheese is often used in combination with other ingredients, such as poblano chiles, spicy tomatillo sauce, or jalapeños. The cheese is shredded and then added to the tamale filling, which is then spread onto the corn husk and steamed.
One popular recipe for Oaxaca cheese tamales is to fill the tamales with roasted poblano peppers and melted Oaxaca cheese. The peppers are roasted over a flame to add a smoky flavour, and then sliced into strips. The Oaxaca cheese is shredded and melted, and then combined with the pepper strips to create a tasty filling.
Another option is to make Jalapeño and Oaxaca Cheese Tamales (Tamales de Rajas con Queso). This recipe involves making a tamale dough and then adding a slice of jalapeño pepper and a slice of Oaxaca cheese as the filling. The corn husks are then folded and the tamales are steamed.
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Monterey Jack is a good substitute
Tamales are a traditional Mexican dish that is often served during celebrations and holidays. They are made by filling corn husks with a dough called masa and a variety of fillings, such as meat, salsa, and cheese. The corn husks are then folded and steamed until cooked through.
When it comes to cheese tamales, there are a few different types of cheese that can be used. One popular option is Oaxaca cheese, which is a mild, white melting cheese that is commonly used in Mexican cuisine. It is often paired with roasted poblano peppers or jalapenos to create a delicious and flavourful filling. However, Oaxaca cheese may not be easily accessible outside of Mexico, so substitutes are often used.
Monterey Jack cheese is a great substitute for Oaxaca cheese in cheese tamales. It has a similar flavour and texture profile, being a mild, semi-soft cheese that melts well. It is also more widely available in many regions, making it a convenient option for those who cannot find Oaxaca cheese. When using Monterey Jack in tamales, it is important to slice the cheese long and thin to fit the length of the corn husks, ensuring a generous amount of cheese in each bite.
In addition to Monterey Jack, other types of cheese that can be used in tamales include Chihuahua cheese, cream cheese, mozzarella, and Muenster. These cheeses offer different flavour profiles and melting qualities, but they can all be used to create delicious and authentic-tasting tamales.
When making cheese tamales, it is important to consider the texture and melting properties of the cheese. The cheese should be shredded or sliced thinly to ensure even melting and distribution throughout the tamale. Additionally, the corn husks should be soaked and prepared properly to create a sturdy vessel for the filling.
By using Monterey Jack or other suitable substitutes, anyone can enjoy the delicious and authentic flavours of Mexican cheese tamales, even if they don't have access to traditional Oaxaca cheese.
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Cheddar and pepper jack are also used
Tamales are a Mexican dish that is often served during celebrations and holidays. They are made by filling corn husks with a dough called masa and a variety of fillings, such as meat or cheese, and then steaming them.
While traditional Mexican cheeses like Oaxaca, Chihuahua, and Monterey Jack are commonly used in cheese tamales, other types of cheese can also be used. Cheddar and pepper jack are two varieties that can add a unique flavour to this dish.
Cheddar cheese, with its sharp and tangy flavour, can be grated or shredded and mixed with other ingredients like salsa to create a creamy and flavourful filling for tamales. Pepper jack cheese, on the other hand, brings a spicy kick to the tamales with its mild and creamy texture and the addition of spicy peppers.
Combining these two cheeses can result in a delicious and distinctive flavour profile for cheese tamales. The sharpness of cheddar balances the creaminess of pepper jack, while the spicy notes from the peppers add a nice kick to the overall taste.
When making cheese tamales with cheddar and pepper jack, it is important to consider the consistency of the filling. The cheeses should be shredded or grated to ensure they mix well with other ingredients like salsa and easily spread onto the masa. Additionally, following the traditional method of wrapping and steaming the tamales in corn husks will ensure a soft and pillowy texture.
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Mozzarella is a possible alternative
Tamales are a Mexican dish that is often served during celebrations and holidays. They are made by filling corn husks with a dough called masa and a variety of fillings, such as meat, salsa, and cheese. The corn husks are then folded and steamed, creating a soft and pillowy texture.
When it comes to cheese tamales, there are several types of cheese that are commonly used. One popular option is Oaxaca cheese, which is a mild and melting cheese that is traditionally used in Mexican cuisine. It is known for its fruity and mild smoky flavour when roasted, and it pairs well with poblanos or jalapeños in tamales. However, Oaxaca cheese may not be easily accessible in some regions.
As a result, alternative cheeses are often suggested as substitutes. One option is Monterey Jack, which is widely available and has a similar profile to Mexican Manchego cheese. It melts well and can be combined with other cheeses like cheddar or pepper jack to create a creamy and spicy filling.
Another possible alternative is mozzarella, a mild and melting cheese that can be used in tamales. While fresh mozzarella can be moist, shredded mozzarella can be a suitable option for those who want to incorporate a familiar cheese into their tamales. It can be combined with other mild, melting cheeses like Muenster to create a similar flavour profile to Oaxaca cheese.
Ultimately, the choice of cheese depends on personal preference and availability. While traditional options like Oaxaca and Chihuahua cheeses are favoured for their authentic flavour and texture, substitutes like Monterey Jack and mozzarella can be used to create delicious variations of cheese tamales.
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Chihuahua cheese is traditional
Tamales are a traditional Mexican dish, often served during big family dinners and holidays. They are made by filling corn husks with a dough called masa, as well as various fillings, and steaming them. While there are many different types of tamales, cheese tamales are a popular variety.
Cheese tamales are made with a variety of different cheeses, depending on the region and the recipe. In Mexico, Chihuahua cheese is a traditional choice for cheese tamales. Chihuahua cheese is a semi-soft cheese with a mild flavour, similar to Monterey Jack cheese. It is a good melting cheese, which makes it ideal for tamales as it can be easily grated or shredded and melted into the masa.
Chihuahua cheese is not always easy to find outside of Mexico, so substitutes such as Monterey Jack, Oaxaca, or Muenster cheese are often used. These cheeses have similar melting properties and mild flavours that complement the other ingredients in tamales, such as spicy tomatillo sauce, poblano chiles, and jalapeños.
When making cheese tamales, it is important to consider the texture and melting properties of the cheese. Harder cheeses, such as cheddar, can be used but may not melt as smoothly into the masa. Softer, more melty cheeses, such as cream cheese, are also an option but may be too rich or creamy for some palates.
Ultimately, the choice of cheese for tamales depends on personal preference and availability. Chihuahua cheese is traditional in Mexico, but other mild, white melting cheeses can also be used to create delicious and authentic-tasting cheese tamales.
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Frequently asked questions
Some good cheeses to use for cheese tamales include Oaxaca, Monterey Jack, Muenster, mozzarella, and Chihuahua.
Cheese tamales are great for beginners because the filling only requires salsa and grated cheese. All you have to make is the corn masa or dough. With those two elements prepared, it's just a matter of assembling and steaming the tamales.
Some popular recipes for cheese tamales include jalapeño and cheese tamales, poblano and cheese tamales, and tamales with Rajas and Oaxacan cheese.
