Venezuelan Tequeños: A Delicious Snack That Every LONDONER Should Try
Delicious pastries filled with Venezuelan white cheese known as tequeños
If you're looking for a delicious and unique snack to enjoy, you might want to consider trying Venezuelan tequeños. These delicious treats are a staple of Venezuelan cuisine, and they're loved by people of all ages. In this blog post, we'll be taking a closer look at what tequeños are, how they're made, and why you should give them a try.
But you may be asking yourselves, who are these people writing the blog and what makes them an expert on Tequeños. We are Erika Urvina and Ryan Gilbert, owners of a small Venezuelan restaurant in South West London called Liqui-Liqui and we make hundreds of tequeños a day! Well, really it is Ryan, Mr. Tequeño who does the making, Erika does a lot of tequeño eating.
If you want some to dig deeper into the back scenes of Mr.Tequeño’s making check out his instagram: @MrTequenoUK
So, what are Venezuelan Tequeños?
To give you an idea of how important these hors d’oeuvres are, we can not remember one single birthday party growing up where tequeños were not served. Tequeños and piñatas are simply ingrained into our national identity. And for the record, they are not fried mozzarella sticks.
Venezuelan tequeños are a type of cheese-filled pastry that is popular in Venezuela. They're made from a squeaky, salty, Venezuelan white cheese that is made from cow's milk. The cheese is then wrapped in a thin, crispy dough, which is deep-fried to perfection. The result is a delicious and crunchy snack that is perfect for any time of day.
What do we know about the history of Tequeños?
The origin of tequeños is somewhat shrouded in mystery, but they are believed to have originated in the city of Los Teques in Venezuela. They quickly became popular in the country, and are now a staple snack food that is enjoyed by people of all ages. In recent years, tequeños have become more widely known outside of Venezuela, and are now a popular snack in many countries around the world.
In Venezuela, tequeños are often served at parties and events, and they have become an essential part of the country's culinary culture. We say, “No hay fiesta sin tequeños, ni tequeños sin fiesta”, which loosely translates as “There is no party without tequeños, or no tequeño without a party”. Tequeños are tied to our national history, identity and culture and even the name comes from the city that invented them. The Venezuelan food expert, Miro Popic, in the digital magazine, Tal Cual refers to eating them as an almost religious experience.
“The tequeño does not need defence. He is his best argument. You just have to try it to recognise the value of its nature, the simplicity of its composition and the strength of its identity.”
And how are Tequeños Made?
Making tequeños is an artesanal process, as it requires a few key ingredients and quite a lot of patience. The first step is to make the cheese filling. The cheese should be hard but must melt and string when it does, so it can be easily cut and rolled into long, thin sticks. You can’t just use any cheese, for us, only true Venezuelan cheese will do.
Once the cheese has been prepared, it's time to make the dough. The dough is made from a mixture of flour, water, and salt, and it's rolled out into thin sheets.
Once the dough and cheese have been prepared, it's time to assemble the tequeños. The cheese is rolled into long, thin sticks, and each stick is then wrapped in a sheet of dough. The tequeños are then deep-fried until they're golden brown and crispy.
Are we going to give your our secret recipe? Nope! You will need to come and try them yourselves.
Perfectly cooked tequeños at Liqui-Liqui London in Colliers Wood.
Why You Should Try Venezuelan Tequeños at liqui-Liqui london
Our Venezuelan tequeños at Liqui-Liqui are a delicious and unique snack that everyone should try at least once. Here are just a few reasons why:
They're Versatile:
Tequeños can be enjoyed as a snack or as a light meal. They're perfect for a quick lunch, a snack on the go, or even as a late-night treat.
They're Delicious:
Tequeños are delicious, there is no doubt about that! And they're sure to become a favourite snack once you've tried them. The crispy, golden-brown dough is the perfect contrast to the soft cheese filling.
They're Affordable:
Tequeños are an affordable snack that won't break the bank. They're a great option for people who are looking for a tasty treat without spending a lot of money.
They're a Unique Snack:
Tequeños are a unique snack that you won't find anywhere else. They're a great option for people who are looking for something new and different to try.
They go with lots of different sauces to serve with:
We serve them several different sauces, each one made by us using only natural ingredients: Guasacasa made with fresh coriander sauce, Sweet Mango chilli sauce, Garlic Mayo and our own secret Liqui-Liqui sauce
Variety of flavours:
We also have 3 different types of tequeños: first up is the classic one. Second, is the sweet corn one or the “jojoto tequeño” as we call it and the third is the chocolate one, which makes a great dessert.
And if you love them, and we are pretty sure you will, you can take them home frozen for you to cook at home. You can fry them or cook them in your oven or air fryer. They come in packs of 12 or 40. If you prefer to have them delivered to your door just order them from our webshop, by clicking below.
Where to Find Venezuelan Tequeños in Wimbledon, South West London:
If you're looking for Venezuelan tequeños in Wimbledon, South West London, you should definitely check out Liqui-Liqui. Our small independently run restaurant specialises in Venezuelan cuisine, and we offer a variety of delicious dishes, including tequeños. The tequeños at Liqui-Liqui are made with the finest ingredients, by our lovely Brit who has become an honorary Venezuelan, Ryan Gilbert! They're sure to be a hit with anyone who loves good food.