I was approached by Specialty Cheese Company and asked if I would like to taste test El Venadito (hispanic cheeses.)  Ummm… Free cheese?  Yes please!  If you haven’t realized before, I love cheese.  At any given time, we have no less than 3 types of cheese in our refrigerator.  It is a nightly snack in my house and now I’ve added a fourth must have cheese.  Specialty Cheese Company sent three types of El Venadito cheeses, two different Queso Blanco’s (one low sodium) and a Queso Para Frier.  All three were tasty, but I really loved the flavor of the low sodium Queso Blanco.  It had a great flavor and texture and fried up lovely.  Plus it didn’t taste low sodium!  Texture wise, my favorite was the Para Frier… it almost had a haloumi texture… kinda squeaky when you chewed it.  According to Specialty Cheese Company, you can find El Venadito cheeses at Publix, Sedano’s and Winn Dixie in Miami.  I was very happy to see that the Publix where I shop in Ft Lauderdale carried it!

If you think that I’ve battered and deep fried cheese, you’re wrong. This delicious and firm cheese is pan fried on a DRY pan. No oil or fat added. It is delicious.  It browns gorgeously and gets just a little soft…  It has a great bite and get’s very chewy.  I served it several different ways… with a salad, with freshly baked bread and olive oil and standing in front of the stove while cooking more… lol!  Either way is fabulous!

Pan Fried Fresh Cheese Recipe

4 oz fresh cheese (Queso Blanco or Para Frier)

1. Slice the cheese into 1/4 inch pieces.  Preheat a non-stick saute pan over medium high heat.  Place the cheese on the saute pan and cook for 2-3 minutes until brown.  Gently turn the cheese and cook other side.  Serve as desired…