{"id":"tequenos_10a27c4323","slug":"tequenos","title":"Tequeños","description":"Crispy, golden-brown dough wrapped around melting, salty white cheese. These Venezuelan cheese sticks are the ultimate Latin American party snack.","serves":8,"time":{"prepMinutes":45,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":60,"activeMinutes":45},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"500g All-purpose flour","name":"All-purpose flour","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"4","usUnit":"cup","form":"all-purpose","notes":"plus extra for dusting","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"80g unsalted butter, softened","name":"Butter","quantity":80,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2.8,"usUnit":"oz","form":"softened","notes":"unsalted","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1 large egg","name":"Egg","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"whole","notes":"large","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"5g Salt","name":"Salt","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"fine","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"120ml warm water","name":"Warm Water","quantity":120,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"warm","notes":"may need slightly more depending on humidity","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"500g Hard white cheese (Queso Blanco)","name":"Cheese","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"sticks","notes":"cut into 3/4-inch by 3-inch strips","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"Vegetable oil for frying","name":"Vegetable Oil","quantity":500,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"2","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"for deep frying","group":"Frying","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a large bowl, sift the flour and salt. Add the softened butter and the egg. Mix by hand or with a fork until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.","group":"Dough Preparation","title":"In a large bowl, sift the flour and salt","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Dough Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Gradually add the warm water and knead the dough for about 5-8 minutes until it is smooth and elastic. Cover with a cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes at room temperature.","group":"Dough Preparation","title":"Gradually add the warm water","timerMinutes":30,"sourceTitle":"Dough Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"On a floured surface, roll out the dough into a large rectangle about 1/8 inch (3 mm) thick. Cut the dough into strips approximately 1 inch wide and 10 inches long.","group":"Assembly","title":"Roll out the dough","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Place a cheese stick at one end of a dough strip. Fold the dough over the end of the cheese to seal it, then wrap the strip around the cheese stick diagonally, overlapping the edges so the cheese is completely covered. Pinch the other end to seal.","group":"Assembly","title":"Place a cheese stick","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (177°C). Fry the tequeños in batches for 2-3 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels and serve warm.","group":"Frying","title":"Heat oil in a deep pan","timerMinutes":3,"sourceTitle":"Frying"}],"notes":"Ensure the dough covers the cheese completely and is pinched tightly at the ends to prevent the cheese from leaking during frying. Traditional 'Queso Blanco' or 'Queso de Año' are best, but Halloumi or firm Feta can be used as substitutes.","cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Venezuelan"]},"course":["appetizer"],"cookingMethod":["fry"],"equipment":["Rolling pin","Deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pan","Slotted spoon","Sifter","Mixing bowl"],"diet":["vegetarian"],"allergens":["wheat","gluten","milk","eggs"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":24,"unit":"pieces","note":"Approximately 3 per serving"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Assembled tequeños can be frozen before frying. Place them on a tray in the freezer until solid, then transfer to a bag."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store fried tequeños in an airtight container. Reheat in an oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat at 350°F (177°C) for 5-7 minutes."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Ftequenos_10a27c4323%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=9e70df66-fee6-4795-b3ca-5fa346a2f0d4","imageAlt":"Tequeños — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["tequenos","venezuelan","cheese sticks","appetizer","party food","latin american","fried snacks"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Tequeños","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-03T23:54:02.345Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-03T23:54:02.345Z","related":[{"id":"agua_fresca_de_limon_2a14774356","slug":"agua-fresca-de-limon","title":"Agua Fresca de Limón","description":"A traditional, crisp, and refreshing Latin American lime drink that perfectly balances tangy citrus with a hint of sweetness. Ideal for hot days or as a light accompaniment to spicy meals.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Mexican"]},"course":["appetizer","dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","nut_free","egg_free","low_fat","low_sodium"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fagua_fresca_de_limon_2a14774356%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=fe94cf6f-2bf2-4184-ac60-2b5d49ae8160","imageAlt":"Agua Fresca de Limón — recipe cover","tags":["lime","refreshing","summer drink","mexican beverages","easy drinks","agua fresca"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":4},{"id":"arepa_de_queso_2d9f12ccb8","slug":"arepa-de-queso","title":"Arepa de Queso","description":"A classic Latin American snack consisting of golden, pan-seared corn cakes made from pre-cooked cornmeal and filled with gooey, melted cheese.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":30},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Colombian","Venezuelan"]},"course":["snack","appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Farepa_de_queso_2d9f12ccb8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=45319391-0036-45d0-b2a4-cd86df8b987e","imageAlt":"Arepa de Queso — recipe cover","tags":["cheese","cornmeal","gluten-free","street-food","cheesy"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":5},{"id":"chifles_191c5b72a2","slug":"chifles-crispy-fried-plantain-chips","title":"Chifles (Crispy Fried Plantain Chips)","description":"A classic Latin American snack of paper-thin green plantain slices fried until perfectly golden and crunchy, finished with a touch of salt.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":25},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Ecuadorian","Peruvian"]},"course":["appetizer","side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fchifles_191c5b72a2%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=7f3e8c86-3d11-4104-9064-fb1f6050e18f","imageAlt":"Chifles (Crispy Fried Plantain Chips) — recipe cover","tags":["plantain","chips","crispy","latin american","salty","vegan snack"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":3,"stepCount":5}]}