Tequeños

Tequeños are a staple meal, snack, or appetizer in Venezuela, also enjoyed in other Latin American countries. They are similar to mozzarella sticks or bread sticks, but they are made with crispy dough and stuffed with delicious cheese. For this recipe, we’re using Tropical Queso de Freír, a cheese that doesn’t melt when fried. But you can also use our Tropical Queso para Tequeños, specially made for this authentic food.

Ingredients

• 12 oz. Tropical Queso de Freír cut into sticks about 4 inches long by ½ inch wide
• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp of baking powder
• 2 tsp of white granulated sugar
• ½ tsp of salt
• 1 egg – room temperature
• ¼ cup of cold unsalted butter
• 6-7 tbsp of ice-cold water
• Oil for frying

Preparation

1. Put flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a large bowl and mix. Add the egg, butter, and 6-7 tbsp of cold water. Use a wooden spoon to stir the mix first, then knead with your hands or with a rubber spatula if preferred. Add a tbsp of water if the dough is dry or not forming well.
2. Press dough on a flat surface and keep kneading. Then shape it into a ball and cover it with a plastic wrap or a kitchen towel. Let it rest for 30 minutes at room temperature.
3. Spread flour on a clean, flat surface and place the rested dough there. Using a rolling pin, roll it into a square. The square should be about ¼ inch thick. With a sharp knife, slice the dough vertically into long, even strips – about ¾ inches in width. Flatten the slices to make sure they’re thin. You’ll need one strip for each piece of cheese. Do the same with the remaining dough.
4. Place a piece of Queso de Freír at one end of a strip of dough and start wrapping diagonally, overlapping until you reach the end. Close the open edges and press the dough with your fingers, ensuring it’s properly wrapped and sealed so it’s secure during frying.
5. Put oil in a large skillet on medium heat and fry the cheese sticks for about 3-4 minutes or until they’re golden brown on all sides and they become crispy. Turn them halfway through to avoid burning. Remove them from the oil and drain on paper towels. Your Tequeños are ready to serve and impress.