Homemade Queso Blanco Cheese Recipes

QUESO BLANCO CHEESE

Steps:

• Over a direct source of heat warm 1 gallon of milk to 180 degrees F., stirring often to keep it from scorching. Maintain this temperature for several minutes. Slowly add vinegar until the curds separate from the whey. Usually 1/4 cup of vinegar will precipitate 1 gallon of milk.
• Pour the curds and whey into a cheesecloth-lined colander. Tie the four corners of the cheesecloth into a knot and hang to drain for several hours or until the bag of curds stops dripping. Take the mass of curds out of the cheesecloth. It will be a solid bag of curd. It may be wrapped in plastic wrap and stored in the refrigerator until needed. It will keep up to 1 week.

QUESO

Steps:

• Add the processed cheese, Monterey Jack, Cheddar and canned tomatoes (along with the juice) to a medium saucepan or 10-inch cast-iron skillet (see Cook's Note) and turn the heat to medium. Cook, stirring frequently with a rubber spatula, until all the cheese has melted and the queso is smooth, about 5 minutes. Serve immediately with tortilla chips.
• To make the queso spicy, use hot diced tomatoes and green chiles, such as RoTel Hot, instead of the Original.
• Processed block cheese is crucial due to its meltability and what it adds to the queso's texture. Do not try to substitute other cheeses.

QUESO BLANCO

Steps:

• Line a colander with a damp piece of muslin or cheesecloth. Place colander over a bowl or in the sink.
• Pour milk into a large saucepan; bring to 185 degrees F (85 degrees C), stirring frequently. Stir in salt.
• Pour vinegar into milk, a little at a time, stirring well after each addition until curds begin to separate from the whey.
• Spoon curds into the muslin-lined colander using a slotted spoon. Fold the muslin over the top of the curds. Fill a smaller container with water and place on top of the muslin to press down on the cheese. Let rest for 1 to 3 hours, allowing the liquid to drain from the cheese (the longer you allow the cheese to drain, the drier the cheese will be).

HOMEMADE QUESO BLANCO CHEESE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• In a large pot, combine the milk, whipping cream, buttermilk, and salt. Stir over medium heat until the temperature reaches 190 F (or nearly a boil). Remove from heat.
• Stir in the vinegar, 1 tablespoon at a time. Small curds will begin to form. Stir gently for 5 minutes or so, then let the mixture cool for 10 more minutes.
• Line a large colander with 2 to 3 layers of cheesecloth. Slowly pour the milk mixture into the colander, letting the whey (the clear liquid) drain away into a bowl.
• When most of the whey has drained off and the cheese is cool enough to handle, lift the edges of the cheesecloth up and twist, wrapping the cheese securely inside the cheesecloth. Squeeze off excess whey.
• Hang the cheesecloth "bag" over the sink (use a clip to hang it from the faucet, for example) and let the whey drain for about an hour.
• Once the cheese is well-drained, store the cheese in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Alternatively, you can press the curds by following the instructions below.
• Once the cheese curds are well drained, place a ring mold (or clean, empty metal can with both lids removed) on a baking sheet or flat dish. Spoon curds inside of the ring.
• Cover the curds with a piece of wax paper, then use another can or something heavy to press down on them. Place the cheese in the refrigerator and press for 3 to 4 hours, or overnight.
• Remove from the mold and wrap cheese with plastic wrap or place in an airtight container.

QUESO BLANCO

Steps:

• Roast the poblano chiles individually over the flame of your stovetop, using metal tongs to hold them, until the skins are totally charred. (If you don't have a gas stove, you can use an outdoor grill OR place them on a baking sheet directly under your oven's broiler.) Place the blackened chiles in a large resealable plastic bag and seal the bag to allow the chiles to sweat for a good 20 minutes.
• Use a knife to scrape off most of the blackened skins. Slice the chiles in half lengthwise, scrape out the seeds and membranes and chop into small dice.
• Add the butter to a very large pot and saute the onions, jalapenos and garlic over medium heat. Add the milk, cream, chili powder and some salt and pepper and heat. Add the processed cheese and stir to melt. Then add the Cheddar, Monterey Jack, tomatoes and diced poblanos. Slowly melt and keep warm.

QUESO CHEESE SAUCE

Steps:

• Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
• Whisk in flour and cook for about 1 minute.
• Whisk in milk gradually until incorporated.
• Gradually stir in cheese until melted.
• Season with cumin, salt and pepper to taste.

QUESO BLANCO DIP

Steps:

• Place American cheese and about 1/4 cup half-and-half in a saucepan over low heat; cook and stir until cheese starts to melt, about 5 minutes. Slowly start stirring half-and-half into cheese mixture, about 2 tablespoons at a time, until cheese begins to melt and mixture is smooth, about 5 minutes more. Continue adding more half-and-half.
• Season cheese mixture with cumin, black pepper, and salt; add red pepper flakes, a little at a time, until desired spiciness is reached.
• Cook and stir cheese dip until cheese is fully melted, adding more half-and-half if needed to thin it out, 5 to 10 minutes more. Remove from heat and top dip with chili powder.