This (Cheap) Secret Ingredient Will Make You Actually Look Forward to Eating Salad (I’ve Been Using It for 20 Years!)
I am a halloumi-lover. The appeal of cheese that can be pan-fried or grilled cannot be overstated. I love melty and squishy cheeses as much as the next person, but you can even use halloumi as croutons. Croutons. If left to my own devices, I would happily be eating halloumi at half of my meals.
Unfortunately, halloumi is pretty expensive. Due to its steep price tag, halloumi has become a “special occasion” cheese in my household, not something I buy with any regularity like, say, a block of cheddar. My salad savior, however, is a much-less-costly-but-equally-delicious cheese that I’ve been eating since childhood called queso de frier.
What Is Queso de Frier?
Queso de frier literally means “cheese for frying.” It’s a dense, squeaky cheese popular in Latin America and the Caribbean, where it’s often used for making a dish called queso frito or “fried cheese.” It has a high melting point, which means you can throw it into a hot pan or onto a grill and it will brown up, but keep its shape — just like halloumi. It also has a similar, although not identical, flavor profile. It’s savory and salty with just a touch of nuttiness. It’s a miraculous, inexpensive savior. Try it the next time you’re in the mood to fry some cheese. You (and your wallet) will thank me.
Recipes to Try with Queso de Frier
Queso de frier is great pan-fried, grilled, or baked on a sheet tray. Try it anywhere you would typically use halloumi.