Cookbook:Monterey Jack Cheese
| Monterey Jack Cheese | |
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| Category | Cheeses |
Cookbook | Recipes | Ingredients | Equipment | Techniques | Cookbook Disambiguation Pages | Ingredients | Dairy | Cheese
Monterey Jack, or simply jack for short,[1][2] is a variety of cow's milk cheese originating in the United States.[3]
Characteristics
[edit | edit source]Monterey jack is closely related to cheddar and colby cheeses,[3][4][5] though jack does not use annatto for coloring.[2] It is typically available un- or little-aged,[5][6] though hard, aged versions are available.[1] The unaged variety is pale and mild,[3][6] with a moist texture that melts very well,[1][7] while the aged version becomes darker, nuttier, and more dry.[1][3][2][7]
Blends
[edit | edit source]Though it is often sold by itself, Monterey jack is also commonly blended with other ingredients and even other cheeses to get a marbled finished product.[1][3][6] Pepper jack, for example, is a blend of jack cheese with chiles and herbs.[6] Colby jack, as the name implies, is a marbled blend of colby and jack cheeses,[1][6] while cheddar jack is a similar fusion but using cheddar.[6]
Selection and storage
[edit | edit source]This cheese, like others, should ideally be stored in the refrigerator.
Use
[edit | edit source]Unaged jack cheese has excellent melting quality, is suitable for use in sandwiches, and is used in both Mexican and Spanish-influenced cuisines.[3][4] Aged varieties can be used much like parmesan.[7]
Substitution
[edit | edit source]Due to their overall similarities, unaged cheddar and colby cheeses can make reasonable substitutes for unaged Monterey jack.
Recipes
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ a b c d e f Kipfer, Barbara Ann (2012-04-11). The Culinarian: A Kitchen Desk Reference. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN 978-0-544-18603-3.
- ↑ a b c "The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Complete Book of Cheese, by Bob Brown". www.gutenberg.org. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
- ↑ a b c d e f Labensky, Sarah R.; Hause, Alan M.; Martel, Priscilla (2018-01-18). On Cooking: A Textbook of Culinary Fundamentals. Pearson. ISBN 978-0-13-444190-0.
- ↑ a b "What is Monterey Jack Cheese?". www.cheese.com. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
- ↑ a b Gisslen, Wayne (2014-04-15). Professional Cooking. Wiley. ISBN 978-1-118-63672-5.
- ↑ a b c d e f "What's the Difference Between Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Cheddar Jack, and Colby Jack?". Allrecipes. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
- ↑ a b c The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) (2011-09-13). The Professional Chef. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-0-470-42135-2.