Black pepper can also be substituted or combined with cayenne pepper to add a bit of flavor to the almogrote.
Almogrote is a cheese dish that has a soft but somewhat thick texture, ideal for spreading on bread. It is originally from the Canary Islands, specifically from La Gomera. Many people also consider the dish to be a Spanish cuisine, since the Canary Islands are one of the autonomous communities of Spain. In addition to spreading it on bread, almogrote can also be used on vegetables such as potatoes and tomatoes.
Almogrote is traditionally made with unpasteurized goat’s milk cheese.
There are two possible derivations for the word “almogrote”. Some say that it originated from the Arabic term “al mojrot”, which means “cheese sauce”. Others say it may come from the Spanish word “almodrote,” which is also a sauce made primarily from oil and garlic. Both possible derivations speak of how Canarian cuisine has influences from Arab and Spanish culture.
Almogrote is sometimes served with tomatoes or other vegetables.
Traditionally, almogrote is made from leftover unpasteurized hardened cheese, usually made from goat’s milk. The cheese is then broken into smaller pieces using a mortar and pestle, or a modern food processor for a quicker method. To further soften the cheese, olive oil is added. Other simple seasonings such as garlic, pepper, and salt are added to the mix and need to be finely chopped for the mix to mix well.
In some cases, ingredients are substituted or combined with other ingredients to give a different flavor. Goat cheese can be mixed with pecorino, which has a creamier texture than the goat variety. Black pepper can also be substituted or combined with cayenne pepper for a spicier touch. Tomatoes can also be included as an optional ingredient to add more tartness to the dish.
Some cheesemakers make other variations of the Canarian cheese spread by adding other ingredients. Almogrote Recipe contains cloves, but also potatoes, whose starch gives the dish more creaminess. Guachinerfe de Almogrote is made with cured or aged cheese and replaces olive oil with vegetable oil. Some Americanized versions of the cheese plate occasionally add mustard and butter for a different flavor, texture, and color.
An important step in the preparation of the almogrote is to remove the oil that has come out of the cheese once it has hardened, since the inclusion of the oil can affect the texture and flavor of the dish. This cheese spread also contains some nutritional benefits, most notably the significant amount of calcium in the cheese. Olive oil supplies the body with healthy monounsaturated fats, while garlic is known to contain antioxidants that keep the body’s cells healthy.