This baked cheese can be served alone or with bread and crackers. It is tasty and easy, and makes a great appetizer dish.
Ingredients:
1~1 ½ lb Panela Cheese
3~4 garlic cloves, minced
½ teaspoon oregano
1 tablespoon olive oil
Preparation:
Slice the cheese, about 1 inch thick. Place the slices of cheese in a baking dish, top with the minced garlic and sprinkle with the oregano and top it with olive oil.
Bake in preheated oven at 375F for approximately 20~25 minutes or until the garlic turn slightly golden brown. Serve hot.
Panela cheese or queso panela is used in many Mexican foods. When fresh has a similar texture of mozzarella, but once cooked carries a very different texture, since does not melt like mozzarella cheese by holding its shape.
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I’ve never heard of panella cheese. Your comment about it not melting…is it like feta then? And what’s the flavor?
Baked cheese — yum. Sounds outstanding.
I have never used this cheese before not I have I heard of it! Thanks for sharing this unique recipe.
Garlic and cheese–what else does a girl need?
What an interesting recipe!I will save it for the next time my cheese craving kicks in:)
Mmmmhhh, that must be delicious! I’m drooling…
Cheers,
Rosa
This screams classy super bowl dip! I’ve never heard of panela before- I must try it!!
Wow what a beautiful dish. Sometimes a few ingredients can taste fantastic and this is a prime example. Lovely recipe I would enjoy eating seconds that’s for sure.
That looks like a very tempting appetizer. great idea.
Garlic and cheesse … yum. I’m not familiar with queso panela, but we do queso fresco around these parts, is it similar?
What would be a good substitution? Can you tell I want to make this.
Mimi
is this the same as the queso de freir? I would love this dish it looks so perfect!
Wow, I never heard of panela cheese, but it sure looks delicious. I need to look for it. It sounds very good for an appetizer.
I’ve never heard of Panella cheese, so I’ll definitely look for it at the grocery. This looks amazing!
What an interesting recipe! I also appreciate the information about the cheese. I wager this is delicious.
oh yeah I’ll have some with fresh bread please!!, thanks so much for visiting my blog
Rebecca
Hello Juliana.
Thanks for comment on my blog, i really appreciate your comments.
I’ve never had this cheese before. I wonder what it taste like.
Btw, Juliana is the name of my sister aswell hehe.
Juliana
I am so glad I am learning more about Mexican cheeses. This is a great-tasting and easy recipe! Thanks so much, I would love to serve it with tortilla chips and salsa on the side!
Mmm. Cheesy, Garlicky Goodness! I can almost taste this right now!
This looks like an excellent gooey cheese dip!
I don’t think I’ve ever had this cheese. I’m going to have to keep an eye out for it, because any cheese that can be made all warm and gooey is perfect in my book.
I’ve never heard of panela before – I would like to make this dish – can you recommend a substitute? Thanks!
I have not tried this cheese but I can imagine the combination of garlic and cheese. I love it. I would love to try this.
This looks delicious. I have tried a few different Mexican cheeses but not this one yet. I am going to keep a look out for it.
MMMMMM,…garlic & oregano on cheese fresh from the hot oven,…what’s not to like, hey??
MMMMMM,…Thanks!
That looks really interesting! I’ve never seen Panela cheese before but I’ll look out for it. Is there another cheese I could use in case I can’t find it?
Good heaven, Juliana, this is simply delicious! Match perfectly with your title name… haha… Have a fabulous day, sweetie! Cheers.
Ooh, cheese and garlic sound like a great combo. Don’t think I’ve ever had Panela cheese before, I love learning about new ingredients. Thanks!
Oh WOW that looks soooo good!
Wow, baked panela cheese sounds amazing, definitely a must try!
That’s a delicious combination.
I’ve never seen panella but it looks similar to the Indian paneer and queso blanco.
I loved bake cheeses awww…who am I kidding I love all cheeses.
Nicely done!
Mmmmm, lovely! I never say no to cheese and this looks delicious
You had me on the “cheese” Juliana! I have to make! If I can’t get Panela, what would you suggest?
Mmmm cheese. How much more heavenly can you get?
Thank you all for visiting my site
Barbara: Panela cheese is a little similar to paneer, therefor does not really melt, but is somehow creamier.
Erica, Anna, Faith, Carolyn: You may be able to find Panela cheese at Latino groceries or even Middle Eastern stores.
Mimi, Trissa, Lorraine, Lesley: You may substitute with paneer cheese or queso blanco, although the texture will not be same, since Panela cheese is somehow creamier.
Pedro: This cheese has a similar texture to the Queijo de Minas.
WOW! That looks so yummy to me! I need to see if I can find this cheese around here.
Mmm baked cheese is always my favorite! Yum!
This sounds like something I would absolutely adore!!!
Juliana, how simply divine. I can taste it now. I bet it was delicious.
That sounds amazing!
How delicious! I think I could eat the entire thing myself!
This baked panela cheese with garlic looks so marvelous! I read through the comments and I’m glad that others already asked about similar cheeses in case we can’t find this one in particular. I actually have queso blanco already so that’ll be the first try. However, I will definitely keep an eye out for it when we go to our favorite Latino markets soon!
This sounds like a great change from spinach artichoke dip and it’s so much easier!
Holy cow, that looks amazing. I would eat it alone. Bread would be nice, but I just want that amazing cheese!
oooh, drooling! that sounds so delicious and easier than fondue… I bet your kitchen smelled amazing.
Yikes! that looks rich and fattening! That means I’m going to love it! it looks so good!
Cheese and garlic- best combo ever! Looks soooo tasty.
baked cheese is so nice and comforting- looks like a great app
What a quick and delicious appetizer! Garlic and cheese? Yes, please!
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I have a feeling I’ll be a repeat customer over here!
Looks WONDERFUL!
I find the idea of baked cheese to be drool worthy!
Cheese and oregano… perfect pairing, love it
YUM. You certainly can’t go wrong with warmed cheese! Especially with garlic.
I haven’t tried this cheese b4, it looks like a really yummy dip for your crackers! =)
Oh now I feel sad, because I haven’t seen this cheese around before, and it looks so delicious and simple!
cheese, garlic, and a bit of herbage–what could ever possibly be bad about something using these things? nothing. great nosh, juliana!
This cheese does look similar to paneer. Cheese is always a weakness for our family. Good recipe Juliana
Great baked cheese idea. Thanks for sharing.
Holy cow, I could never make cheese. You are amazing!!! It looks so good, I want to crab your cracker and gobble it up!
Juliana, nothing like ooey gooey cheese baked with garlic. It’s like a fondue but caramelized. You never fail to make me drool!!
I love panela cheese…. I have to try your recipe…looks wonderful.
What an interesting dip! I wonder if I could recreate something similar with tofu and a faux “cheese”….
hi juliana
i did not know panella cheese so thanks for sharing cheers from paris Pierre
I didn’t know about panela either and I google searched to see what it was before seeing that you had the explanation after the picture. It sounds very interesting to see how it pairs with garlic.
Oh my, that looks fantastic! Wow, thanks for sharing
Juliana, I have left an award for you. please feel free to drop by and collect the button. Have a nice day!
I loooove baked cheese. This just looks so so fantastic! Thanks for sharing this yummy recipe!
I’m looking forward to trying this recipe. I just returned from Acapulco and had Panela for the first time. It’s fabulous. We had it fried with salsa on top……and a tortilla on the side and you’re all set. I bought the Panela at a local Mexican market in CA. I believe they carry it at Fresh and Easy or Gelsens, as well.