CHEF'S COLUMN

July/August 2007

Creamier Queso Starts with Performance Cheese

Queso is more than a delicious starter; it’s a dish at the start of a trend cycle.  Many Quesos are based on Latin American flavors, which are in demand.  Because of its popularity, it’s also an easy dish for a group to share.  In addition, many Quesos are vegetarian, which further broadens their appeal.  This is a dish customers crave; so now is the time to get cooking.

Chefs and operators are choosing LAND O LAKES® Performance Cheeses over natural cheeses for creating custom Queso recipes.  And for good reasons.  Unlike natural cheeses, which can separate and develop clumps when heated, our Performance Cheeses melt to a smooth, blended consistency.  The result is a more appetizing appearance, and creamier texture. 

LAND O LAKES® Performance Cheeses also maintain their creamy consistency better, even as they cool.  Extra Melt® Cheese is the best choice for more demanding hot holding situations, because it resists the separating, thickening and  browning that can occur in long-term cooking applications.  This allows you to  increase hold time, and reduce waste.

If you’re creating a custom Queso recipe for your menu, Performance Cheeses offer additional advantages.  While natural cheeses can have a strong original flavor that might overpower other ingredients, Performance Cheeses are made to be compatible with other ingredients.  So you can turn your attention to creating a custom flavor blend, instead of trying to find ingredients that will “mask” a strong cheese taste.  Performance Cheeses also make it easier to incorporate the fat from other ingredients, such as chorizo.  This prevents separation in your final product, for better presentation.

When you’re ready to add a Queso to your menu start with LAND O LAKES® Performance Cheeses.  And start something your customers can’t wait to try.

Land O'Lakes line of Performance Cheese includes: Extra Melt®, Queso Bravo™, Golden Velvet® and American Loaf.