Queso en salsa facts for kids
Queso en salsa (say "KEH-so en SAHL-sah") is a popular and tasty dish from Mexican cuisine. It means "cheese in sauce." This dish features pieces of cow's milk cheese served in a mild, flavorful salsa. It's a comforting and delicious meal that many families enjoy in Mexico.
Contents
What is Queso en Salsa?
Queso en salsa is a simple yet delicious meal. It combines soft, fresh cheese with a warm, savory sauce. The sauce can be red or green, depending on the type of tomatoes and chilies used. It's a great way to enjoy cheese with a little bit of spice!
The Cheeses Used
You can make queso en salsa with different kinds of cheese. The most common ones are:
- Ranchero cheese: A fresh, mild cheese.
- Cotija cheese: A firm, salty cheese, often crumbled.
- Panela cheese: A soft, white cheese that doesn't melt easily.
- Oaxaca cheese: A stringy cheese, similar to mozzarella, that melts nicely.
These cheeses are usually cut into cubes or slices before being added to the salsa.
Making the Delicious Salsa
The salsa is the heart of this dish. It's made from fresh ingredients that are cooked to bring out their best flavors.
Red or Green Salsa?
The salsa can be either red or green.
- Red salsa uses red tomatoes, often with chipotle, pasilla, or guajillo chilies. These chilies give the sauce a smoky or rich flavor.
- Green salsa uses green tomatoes, also known as tomatillos. These give the sauce a brighter, tangier taste.
How the Salsa is Made
Making the salsa involves a few steps:
- First, tomatoes (red or green), onion, garlic, and chilies are roasted. Roasting makes them soft and gives them a lovely smoky flavor.
- Next, these roasted ingredients are blended together until smooth.
- Then, the blended mixture is boiled with a little water. This helps the flavors mix and thicken the sauce.
- Sometimes, fresh coriander leaves are added for extra flavor.
- Finally, the cheese pieces are added to the warm salsa after it has finished boiling. This lets the cheese warm up and soak in the flavors without melting too much.
Queso en salsa is a wonderful example of how simple ingredients can create a truly special dish in Mexican cooking.
See also
In Spanish: Queso en salsa para niños
