Panela Cheese covered with Chipotle and Green Onions

A light and tasty appetizer that is not mainly made of veggies?
Is it impossible?
Well if you have tried Mexican Panela Cheese also known as Queso de Canasta (Basket Cheese)before, you  will have noticed how smooth and light it is. This soft fresh cheese is made of cow milk and absorbs the flavors  of the food it is served with. In Mexican cuisine it´s often used in salads and some traditional dishes like enchiladas and tortas.
I love to serve it as an appetizer because its lightness and texture. This recipe looks attractive to the eye and irresistible to the palate.

 

Ingredientes

1 lb. of Panela Cheese (National brands in USA such Cacique or Goya sell it packaged, or some Mexican-Latin Super Markets carry it by pound in the Deli section)

1/2 cup of olive oil divided in 2
 
3 tablespoons of Chipotle Sauce

2 Chipotle peppers chopped  (from a can)

1 cup of chopped green onions

2 garlic cloves pressed

2 tablespoons of  chopped cilantro

1 teaspoon of oregano

Salt and pepper

Put the cheese in the center of a baking dish (metal or glass). 
Using a knife make some incisions on the surface of the cheese, so  the olive oil  and other seasoning can be completely absorbed.
Drizzle 1/4 cup of  the olive oil on top of the cheese and sprinkle the oregano. Season with salt and pepper.
Pre heat oven at 350 F.
Cover the cheese with foil and put it in the oven for 15 minutes.
In a little bowl mix the 1/4 cup of olive oil, the pressed garlic cloves, the chopped peppers and the chipotle sauce with a whisker. 
Take the cheese out of the oven, uncover it and pour the mixture on top of the cheese.
Put the cheese in the oven for another 10 minutes, this time uncovered.
Take it again out of the oven and let it cool down to room temperature. 
Cover with the green onions and chopped cilantro.
Serve with crackers and have a one marvelous appetizer.