Repurposed Queso de Bola

CEBU, Philippines —  I know, I know… at this time many homes are having a queso de bola or two untouched from the Christmas celebrations. This is aside from the one or two remaining halves, whose future are uncertain, as well. The women in the family are quite in a quandary what to do with these valuable chunks of healthy food – that’s also potentially delicious even to non-lovers of cheese.

Okay, let’s get creative. There are actually many ways to ‘repurpose’ (but still as food) the leftover queso de bola. We can start with something that most people at home will like. Make it into a dessert. Who does not like dessert anyway?

This one may be unlike the sweets the family had at the Christmas dinners. The nice thing here is that there is a practical connection – both cheese lovers and those who are not are sure to like it. The practical connection is obviously that it’s the same queso de bola that some loved and others shunned at the Christmas dinners.

Turning the queso de bola into a sweet treat like “pastillas” does not require a kitchen expert. Even the kids can be instructed to make it by themselves. But for this first time, moms or aunties are better to be the ones to lead in the undertaking.

Here a recipe from the website www.mygreatfood.com:

Queso de Bola Pastillas

Ingredients:

¼ cup Magnolia Gold Butter Unsalted, melted

1 can (200 ml.) condensed milk

2 ½ cups powdered milk

¼ cup finely grated queso de bola

Finely grated queso de bola for coating

Parchment paper and Japanese paper for wrapping

Procedure:

1. In a bowl, combine butter and condensed milk.

2. Sift grated queso de bola and powdered milk into butter and milk mixture. Mix well and set aside for eight to 10 minutes.

3. Shape into small balls or logs about half- to one-inch think. Roll in grated cheese and serve – or individually wrap in parchment paper and then in Japanese paper.

Note: Adjust amount of ingredients according to desired volume of finished pastillas.

Enjoy. Happy New Year!