The Cheese Plate: Latin American Cheese

Dear Hannah,

From Patagonia to the Rio Grande, cheese is an ingredient used in many ways by Latin American cooks. As award-winning author and chef, Maricel Presilla, wrote in her wonderfully comprehensive book, Gran Cocina Latina, "Latins love cheese, as a snack, in sandwiches, to round off flavors, and to crumble into soups or over beans, or to complement sweet fruit desserts. They also love to cook with cheese.

Latin American Cheeses

This month we're serving you three Latin American traditional cheeses that are excellent additions to recipes—yet can stand alone as delicious snacks.

A Spotlight on Latin American Cheese

Queso Oaxaca

Presented by Lactography

Queso Oaxaca, known as Quesillo in Mexico, is one of the most famous cheeses from our friends in the south. The cheese is a pulled curd style cheese giving it its distinctive string cheese consistency. The flavor is milky, salty and sometimes with yeasty flavors depending on the age. The cheese was originally made in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca in the town of Etla with raw skimmed soured milk. Nowadays, this style of cheeses is made all over the country using pasteurized full-fat milk and you can even find versions made in the US. This cheese is perfect for snacking and melting in quesadillas. This cheese is easy to make at home.

Photo Credit: Lactography, not for download or re-use.

BUF Burrata

Presented by Buf Creamery

BUF Burrata—made in Colombia, is a capsule of flavor and deliciousness where cream and cheese meet with your plate. A thin elaborate layer of mozzarella is hand filled with our mixed cream stracciatella and hand tied with a signature knot that will impress not only visually but sensorially through your taste buds.

Photo Credit: Buf Creamery, not for download or re-use.

Queso Blanco with Chiles & Epazote

Presented by Gourmet Foods International

This mild, soft and crumbly cheese gets great flavor from green chiles and epazote herbs. It is the perfect topping for many dishes—add a sprinkle to rice, beans or roasted vegetables!

Photo Credit: Gourmet Foods International, not for download or re-use.

Getaway in Naples and Amalfi

Enjoy pizza, pasta, tomatoes & Mozzarella on a weeklong tour

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The Cheese Plate is made possible through the generous support of Emmi Roth, Gruyère AOP, Parmigiano Reggiano, FoodMatch, Gourmet–Food, and Whole Foods Market.