Ingredient: Monterey jack cheese

Monterey Jack Cheese is a type of cheese made from whole or skim cow’s milk and produced mainly in the United States. It is characterized by a creamy, firm texture, a white or golden color, a spunky smell that gets stronger when it ages, and a mellow flavor with hints of sweetness. It has several varieties that often involve it being mixed with other cheeses such as Cheddar-Jack, or ingredients, such as Pepper-Jack, or simply exposed to different conditions such as Dry Jack.

Monterey Jack pairs well with cilantro, spinach, artichokes, onions, olives, chili peppers, black beans, and cumin. It melts really well, making it a desirable option with meats like ham, steak, ground beef, turkey, chicken breast, bacon, pork sausages, hamburgers, other cheeses like cheddar, gouda, and cottage cheese, and into a variety of dishes that require molten cheese such as grilled cheese sandwiches, pasta, pizza, nachos, fondue, and macaroni.

Monterey Jack is also handy in dips, sauces, and soups for making biscuits, cheese fritters, baked potatoes, apple tarts, and jalapeno poppers. It can also be eaten as a snack or from a cheese platter with crackers and dried fruits.

Monterey Jack is high in moisture, so it would not last longer than 2 hours unrefrigerated. It should be kept in its original packaging, whether to be used sooner or later and once it has been opened, it has to be wrapped in aluminum foil or plastic to extend its shelf life.

When it is put in the fridge, it should last for 3 to 4 weeks. Unopened pieces of Monterey Jack, however, can last up to 6 months.