? About -Cheesy Ckn Chilaquiles From 29M-Vol2

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Discussion Overview

This thread discusses the challenges participants face in finding specific ingredients, such as queso fresco and salsa verde, for a recipe from the Pampered Chef Vol 2 cookbook. Participants share their experiences and suggestions regarding where to locate these items and potential substitutions.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses frustration about the difficulty of finding queso fresco and salsa verde in their local stores, noting that their supermarket has a wide variety but lacks these specific items.
  • Another participant mentions that they have seen queso fresco at Walmart, describing it as a white cheese that comes in a round block, though they have not tried it themselves.
  • One participant shares that they could only find queso fresco at a Walmart grocery store and had similar trouble locating salsa verde, despite their supermarket having a large selection of salsas.
  • Several participants suggest asking store employees for help in locating these ingredients, with one noting that their store often fails to restock popular items.
  • Another participant mentions that farmer's cheese is usually found near cottage cheese in stores.
  • One participant suggests checking Mexican grocery stores or smaller local shops for a better chance of finding these ingredients.
  • Another participant notes that Aldi's has a selection of Mexican cheeses featured in their current advertisement.
  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, shares that living in California makes it easier to find ethnic ingredients due to the variety of supermarkets available.
  • Another participant provides specific locations within Walmart where queso fresco and salsa verde might be found, suggesting the international section and the Hispanic section of the store.
  • One participant humorously remarks on the irony of Walmart being a source for these ingredients.
  • Another participant shares a recipe idea using leftover queso blanco and pico de gallo as a dip for tortilla chips, and mentions a possible substitute for salsa verde with green enchilada sauce.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ regarding the availability of ingredients, with some participants successfully finding them at Walmart while others express frustration over their local stores' stock. No clear consensus emerges on the best approach to locate these items.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences related to grocery shopping for specific ingredients, reflecting varied regional availability and individual store practices.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants and home cooks looking for tips on sourcing specific ingredients for recipes may find the shared experiences and suggestions helpful.

esavvymom
Staff member
Messages
7,881
One of the ingredients is "queso fresco' or Farmer's Cheese can be substituted.Where on earth would I find them??? My stores aren't backwoods country-stores, they have alot of variety items, including those big exotic cheese coolers by the deli. But I can't find these, and I think the recipe looks delicious.Is it something I can leave out or substitute NORMAL ingredient for? (I hate cookbooks that use weird ingredients most people wouldn't touch or try, let alone FIND. Not too many things in the Vol 2 cookbook interest me. )Thanks :D
 
I almost think that Walmart here carries the Queso Fresco... it's a white cheese that comes in a round block... I've never had it (have some in my fridge but haven't tried it yet) so I don't know as far as subbing it... sorry!
 
The ONLY place I could find it was at a Walmart grocery store. I could NOT find it anywhere else.

Also, it calls for Salsa Verde. I also had a hard time finding that! My normal Supermarket is the largest around here - and it has 3 shelves of Salsa - but not one Salsa Verde. Ugh! Had to make a special trip for that too.

Good Luck! I can sympathize.
 
ask someone at the store. They'll help you find it or order it for you if they don't have it.
 
I found it at Wal-Mart but it's not with the regular cheese. Ours was over by the cream cheese. I think there is a substitution at the bottom of the recipe.
 
Farmer's Cheese is usually near the cottage cheese.
 
google it - there are substitutions. Personally, I think this is THE BEST cookbook that PC has developed and I'm selling them like crazy! I love it (well, not so much on the potato crusted tilapia recipe)
 
DebbieJ said:
ask someone at the store. They'll help you find it or order it for you if they don't have it.

Sounds like you have a nice store. Mine "says" they will order - but they never get the product in.

Just recently, our store was out of enchilada sauce (they only carry Old El Paso red) and regular taco shells for over a month (closer to 2 months). I finally asked about it.
Here is the response I got from a manager. "Oh, yeah, a lot of people have been asking about that. I don't know. We must be having a problem with that brand".
That's it - no offer of help, or that he'd check into it. Nada.
 
Check out any Mexican Grocery stores or a place that caters to Latino food. you will have a better chance there. Even if it just a little mom and pop place.
 
In the ad for Aldi's that came in Sunday's Paper, they have a whole selection of Mexican cheeses that they are featuring this month.
 
well, being in CA it makes it easy to get any ethnic ingredient really. We had hispanic, asian, african, indian and every other kind of supermarket to choose from.
 
Queso Fresco (a really good, salty cheese) can be found in the 'international' section of the refigerated section, near the cream cheese, at WalMart. Usually they'll be a few different kinds of Mexican cheese, tortillas, and other hispanic ingredients. If you're not shopping at Walmart, you could try the refrigerated area in the produce section. Some stores stock these kind of things there.

For salsa verde, look in the hispanic section of your grocery store (don't ask me why, but the hispanic section is usually not in the same place as the 'international' section).

I suggest not asking a general store manager for help, but the department manager (if you want to ask why a certain product isn't stocked), or a stock person (if you're trying to find a product). Just like any job, if you don't work in that particular area, you probably don't know the right answers.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #13
Funny how Walmart of all places would have it. Thanks for the tips!
 
If you happen to have the any queso blanco left over.....crumble it up and mix with a pico de gallo.....very yummy on tortilla chips.

In regards to the salsa verde....you can substitute with the "Green Enchilada" sauces sold. Hatch is a good brand and usually inexpensive....
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Cheesy Chicken Chilaquiles?

Cheesy Chicken Chilaquiles are a delicious Mexican-inspired dish made with tortilla chips, shredded chicken, cheese, and a flavorful sauce. They are typically baked until bubbly and served as a comforting meal or appetizer.

How do I prepare Cheesy Chicken Chilaquiles?

To prepare Cheesy Chicken Chilaquiles, you will need to layer tortilla chips with cooked shredded chicken, cheese, and your choice of sauce (like salsa or enchilada sauce). Bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly, then serve hot.

Can I make Cheesy Chicken Chilaquiles ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the components of Cheesy Chicken Chilaquiles ahead of time. Assemble the dish and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake it. Just be aware that the chips may become softer if stored for too long before baking.

What can I serve with Cheesy Chicken Chilaquiles?

Cheesy Chicken Chilaquiles can be served with a variety of sides, such as refried beans, guacamole, sour cream, or a fresh salad. They also pair well with a side of Mexican rice for a complete meal.

Are Cheesy Chicken Chilaquiles suitable for meal prep?

Yes, Cheesy Chicken Chilaquiles are great for meal prep! You can portion them into individual servings and store them in airtight containers. They can be reheated easily in the microwave or oven for a quick and satisfying meal throughout the week.

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