How to Melt Oaxaca Cheese

Melt Oaxaca Cheese

Oaxaca cheese is from Mexico and it is made from cow’s milk. It is also similar to mozzarella cheese. Both Oaxaca and mozzarella are produced using the same stretching method and have a similar taste too. Oaxaca cheese is a great for melting. It can hold its shape until it is baked, roasted or grilled. It can easily become soft and stringy and it develops a rich flavour when heated. This cheese is also known as asadero cheese which means “roaster,” indicating that it is easy to melt. This cheese tastes great in quesadillas, burgers, dips as well as many other recipes. Below are some of the different ways you can melt this cheese.

Contents

The Double Boiler Method

Using a double boiler allows the cheese to cook with indirect heat, which prevents the cheese from separating.

What You Need

Double boiler

Water

Oaxaca cheese

Non-metallic spatula

Follow these steps

  • First add some water to the bottom pan of your double boiler and bring to a boil.
  • Pull your cheese apart into small strings, which can make it easier for the cheese to melt evenly
  • Add your cheese to the top pan of the double boiler and let it heat up
  • As the water heats up in the bottom pot the steam will begin to melt the cheese
  • This is a long process so you need to be patient
  • Clean the sides of the pot with a silicon spatula. If you leave the melted cheese on the sides of the pot this cause it to burn.
  • Also, stirring your cheese will accelerate the melting process,
  • As the cheese begins to melt you can add some evaporated milk or corn-starch in order to prevent it from separating
  • Stir your cheese constantly as it melts with a non-metallic spatula
  • Remove the cheese from your pan as soon as it becomes soft and stringy.
  • Add your cheese to dishes and foods as appropriate.

If you cannot access a double boiler you can use of a pan and a bowl. Simply add some water inside your pan and put the bowl on top of the pan. The procedure is the same as though you were making use of a double boiler. It is also possible to melt Oaxaca cheese on the stovetop with a pan or pot only.

  • First of all, you need to pull you cheese apart
  • Take out a non-stick pot or pan and place your cheese in there
  • Turn the stovetop on low in order for your cheese to melt evenly without burning.
  • Add some corn-starch and evaporated milk for a smooth texture to your cheese.
  • Depending with your recipe or how you want to use the Oaxaca cheese you can add a dash of vinegar.
  • As you melt your Oaxaca cheese whisk it as it melts.
  • You can also add your other ingredients if you need them and transfer the cheese from the pan into another container when ready.

The Microwave Method

Another effective way to melt Oaxaca cheese is through the microwave. The microwave can be used to heat up and warm up all kinds of meals. Simply follow these steps to heat up your cheese in the microwave.

What You Will Need

Bowl

Oaxaca cheese

Serrated knife

Steps To Heating Your Cheese In The Microwave

  • The first thing you need to do is to separate your Oaxaca cheese
  • Take out your cheese and place it in a clear glass bowl so that you can see the melting taking place
  • Set your microwave one minute on medium to low,
  • Take out your cheese and check to see if it has melted,
  • Stir your cheese and put it back every 20-second intervals, and ensure that you stir it every time you take it out
  • Make sure that you do not microwave your cheese until it has completely melted. If you do so your cheese may begin to separate.
  • When the cheese has melted serve as desired

It is important to keep a close eye on your cheese because each microwave is different. It can be tempting to just leave your Oaxaca cheese in the microwave but make sure that you take out your cheese and stir it regularly for best results.

Tips For Melting Cheese

Be gentle with the heat

You must pay attention to your heat when melting your Oaxaca cheese. Treating your cheese kindly as you melt it is important. Although you can choose the right type of cheese for your dish, temperature that is too high or too much heating time can make the proteins tighten up, the result in the squeezing out of both water and fat. As a result, you will get rubbery globs of protein in a pool of grease. When this happens you will have a flop on your hands plus those changes are not reversible. However, make sure that you melt your cheese properly in order to prevent this from happening.

What To Have Oaxaca Cheese with

There are so many uses of Oaxaca cheese. The cheese can also be shredded and used as a garnish on top of soups, tostadas, tacos, as well as beans. The cheese has a buttery flavour that is perfect for chile rellenos and other flavourful dishes. Oaxaca cheese can be used in the following meals;

  • Tortilla and mushrooms
  • Pretzels
  • Pork chops
  • Rice
  • Beans
  • Ribs
  • Omelette
  • Lasagne
  • Broccoli
  • Shrimp

Substitutes For Oaxaca Cheese

Oaxaca Cheese can be found in many grocery stores, but if you can’t find it, the best substitute for this cheese are;

  • Mozzarella is a readily-available Italian cheese that can be used as a substitute for Oaxaca cheese. You can use a variety of mozzarella cheese labelled as ‘low moisture’ which resembles Oaxaca cheese
  • Queso asadero is another stringy Mexican cheese that can be used to replace Oaxaca cheese but it is slightly drier.
  • Armenian-style string cheese (aka braided cheese, produced in Turkey, Lebanon, and Syria) is another great substitute for Oaxaca cheese.

If you cannot find a string-style cheese, consider a semi-soft cheese that melts well, such as queso panela, cheddar curds, or an un-aged Monterey jack.

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