If you are Venezuelan and you live outside VenezuelaIf you've ever felt the emptiness left behind by the typical food of our country. The arepa, the hallaca, the pabellón... and, of course, the tequeños.
These deliciouss cheese-filled dough sticks, crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, they are a true symbol of the Venezuelan cuisine. But the best thing is that, even if we are far away from our homeland, we can continue to enjoying them anywhere in the worldeven at home!
In this recipe for homemade tequeños, we will teach you how to make these delicious appetizers with one simple recipe and adapted to the ingredients that can be found outside of the Venezuela.
We know how important it is to maintain our traditions and flavours, especially when we are far from home. The tequeños are perfect for any occasion, from a get-together with friends to a lonely night of cravings. Best of all, with this guide, you'll be able tos prepare them like a real expert, with no fuss.
So, if you're ready to take a little piece of Venezuela at your tableJoin us in this step-by-step guide and learn how to make the more delicious, crunchy and perfect tequeñosVenezuelan style!
What are tequeños?
The tequeños are one of the most emblematic and tasty appetizers of Venezuelan gastronomy.
They consist of a strip of crunchy dough wrapped around a delicious piece of cheese, and when fried, the result is a irresistible morsel: crispy on the outside, but with a melted, soft cheese inside.
Although the tequeños can be enjoyed at any time, they are especially popular at family gatherings, parties and celebrationsIt is the perfect accompaniment to a good conversation or a toast.
The name of tequeños comes from the city of Los Tequeswhich is located in the Miranda state, Venezuela. It is said that in the early 1990s 1920the sisters Baez, The local women began to experiment with local ingredients until they came up with what we know today as tequeños, a dish they initially called "cheese roll-ups.
However, it was only until the 1960s that this tasty morsel began to gaining popularity and becoming known as tequeño. Since then, its fame quickly spread throughout Venezuela and became a tradition that cannot be missed in any celebration.
For Venezuelans, the tequeños are much more than just a mealare a piece of our culture, something that connects those of us who are outside of our own culture to the world. Venezuela with our roots.
Preparing them at home, even outside the country, is a way of revive that feeling of home and share a piece of Venezuela with friends and family, no matter where we are.
Ingredients and steps to follow in the tequeños recipe
Get ready to make the best tequeños in the world! This recipe, shared with us by the wonderful Oskarina, digital recipe creator, is easy, inexpensive and, above all, perfect!
The tequeños They'll be bubbly, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Look no further, this is the one for you. definitive recipe!
Ingredients needed to make the recipe
- 130 ml water
- 130 ml milk
- 60 ml oil
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 500 grams all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 600 grams of white cheese (you can use fresh cheese or mozzarella)
Step-by-step recipe
- Prepare the dough: in a large container, mix the water, milk, oil, sugar and salt. Add the flour little by little, together with the baking powder.
- Start kneading with your hands until you get a smooth, lump-free dough. It is important to knead well, as this ensures that the dough is perfect and does not break during frying, so don't be afraid to get your hands on it! It is the secret to delicious tequeños.
- Prepare the cheese: cut the cheese into strips of approximately 3 cm long. If you use fresh cheese, make sure it is not too moist so that it does not melt too quickly during frying.
- Form the tequeños: Take a portion of the dough and roll it out into a thin rectangle. Place a strip of cheese in the centre and begin to roll the dough around the cheese.Make sure it is well sealed so that it does not open while frying. Repeat this process until all the ingredients have been used.
- Fry the tequeños: preheats the oil in a large frying pan over medium-low heat for 5 to 7 minutes. It is important that the oil is very hot, but not smoking.
- When you place the tequeños in the oil, wait a few minutes. 10 seconds before adding the nextFry the tequeños until they are golden brown, so that the oil does not lose temperature. Fry the tequeños until they are golden brown and crispy, stirring them from time to time so that they cook evenly. This process may take a few minutes. 4-5 minutes per batch.
Some advice from Oskarina
Make sure you fry over medium-low heat to prevent the tequeños from being burnt on the outside and raw on the inside. If you want an even crunchier result, make sure to move the tequeños in the oil while cooking.
And, ready to enjoy! Once golden brown, Remove them from the oil and place them on absorbent paper to remove excess fat. Now you can enjoy perfect tequeños!
Additional advice
- Freeze the tequeños: If you're not going to eat them all at once, you can freeze them. Simply place them on a tray and put them in the freezer. When you need them, just fry them straight from the freezer - they last a long time and are just as delicious!
- Air fryer: if you prefer a healthier optionyou can make the tequeños in the air fryer. Just brush them with a little oil and cook them at a low temperature. 180 °C for 8 minutes. It then increases the temperature to 200 °C and cook for a further 1 minute to crisp.
And that's it, with this recipe you will have the the most delicious homemade tequeñoswith all the Venezuelan flavour that you miss. Enjoy them!
Why are they the perfect appetizer?
The tequeños are the ideal appetizer for any occasion. They are easy to prepare, delicious And, best of all, they always cause a sensation!
If you have a family reunion, a party with friends or a celebration, there's nothing better than share a plate of tequeños. They're perfect for snacking between chats and laughs, and they can be enjoy at any time of the day.
And because you can make them at home, you can be sure that they are fresh and crisp, just the way you like them.
The wonderful thing about the tequeños is that, although they are simple, they always have that special touch that makes them irresistible. You can offer them with different sauces or accompany them with guasacacaand every bite will be a explosion of flavour.
Whether it's a birthday party, an afternoon with friends or a family lunch, tequeños always have a place at the table.
And if you are outside Venezuela, making tequeños at home becomes even more special. It is like bring a piece of Venezuela to your tablea small act of connection with our roots. Even if we are far from our homeland, food unites us and reminds us of where we come from.
Preparing this recipe not only allows you to enjoy a delicious taste, but it is also a form of reliving memories and sharing Venezuelan culture with those around you. It is a piece of home that you can share with friends and familywhether they are Venezuelan or from anywhere in the world, and everyone will be delighted!
At CuriaraWe understand what it means to be far away, but still want to be present. That is why, more than a app for sending remittances to Venezuela, we are a bridge between those who are abroad and their loved ones at home. Because helping, supporting and being close, even from a distance, is a way of continuing to feel part of our homeland.
If you loved these tequeños, be sure to explore our other traditional Venezuelan recipes. We also have a recipe for arepa reina pepiada, arepa tumbarrancho y sweet arepa so that you can continue to carry a piece of Venezuela to your table, wherever you are.
Curiara, uniting families.
