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TYPE OF CHEESEFRESH, MOIST CHEESES
PANELA
Adapted from a Greek basket cheese, the milky and mild cheese has atexture similar to high-moisture mozzarella; softens with heat but does notmelt; use in cooked dishes such as enchiladas or crumble over tacos orchili; can be sliced and fried. It is also served as a snack(bontana). Substitute: Ricotta
QUESO BLANCO
Mild, meltable cheese similar to Monterey Jack. Substitute: Monterey Jack
QUESO FRESCO
Translates to "fresh cheese". The U.S. version is soft, moist, milk andcrumbly cheese for sprinkling over enchiladas or black bean soup orcrumbling onto a salad. Sadly, most the versions in the U.S. do not meltvery well. In Mexico, the cheese is used to stuff chiles or forquesadillas. Substitute: Feta
REQUESON
Fresh, mild, curd-like cheese similar to ricotta. Used in filling anddesserts. Substitute: Ricotta
SOFT AND SEMI-SOFT CHEESES
ANEJO
Aged queso fresco. Use crumbled or grated. Substitute: Romano
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ASADERO
Also called queso quesadilla because of its usefulness in that dish. Usuallysold sliced, asadero melts well and can be used for nachos orburgers. Substitutes: Fontina, Monterey Jack, Muenster or Teleme(referred to as a "poor man's brie" from California)
CHIHUAHUA
Melting cheese, similar to a mild cheddar or Monterey Jack; also known asqueso menonita because it was introduced by the Mennonites. Use inqueso fundido, chile con queso, cheese sauces orcasseroles. Substitutes: Muenster, Medium Cheddar, Monterey Jack, orMild Cheddar
OAXACA
Mild, firm, slightly tangy cheese similar in texture to mozzarella. Typicallybraided and shaped into a ball. It "strings" like mozzarella when heated andcan be used in quesadillas and other cooked dishes. Look for a spicyversion too which is flavored with cherry pits.Substitutes: Mozzarella orArmenian String Cheese.
SEMI-FIRM AND FIRM, DRY CHEESES
CHONTALENO AND CHONTALENO AHUMADO
Dry, grating cheeses, "ahumado" means smoked.
COTIJA
Salty, dry grating cheese, sometimes referred to as Mexican Parmesan.Use as topping for beans, Caesar salads and many other savory dishes.Softens but does not melt. Substitute: Parmesan
ENCHILADO
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