Many Filipinos love a good pasta, with most leaning towards either a sweet-ish tomato sauce or a creamy white sauce. This Kesong Puti Pasta brings together the best of both worlds: a meaty, tomato-rich sauce, finished off with soft cheese chunks to satisfy that familiar creamy rich goodness.
This recipe uses kesong puti, a local, fresh white cheese usually made of carabao’s milk. While some may be made with cow’s milk (which is firmer and milder in flavor), carabao’s milk produces a creamier, richer, but only slightly denser cheese. Traditionally wrapped in banana leaves, this soft, white, creamy cheese has a slightly tangy flavor and aroma. This is due to the vinegar that is sometimes used when making kesong puti.
Where to buy kesong puti
Traditional kesong puti, such as those wrapped in banana leaves, have become a bit harder to find. However, there are local artisanal cheese and dairy farms that have started making kesong puti in small batches, making them readily available in many groceries and supermarkets. Here are some local brands that have kesong puti in their lineup:
Pinkie’s Farm
On Instagram: @pinkiesfarm
Available online via GrabMart, MetroMart and Pickaroo
Carmen’s Best
On Instagram: @carmensbest
Available in most groceries and supermarkets
Mama Jessie’s Kesong Puti
On Instagram: @mamajessieskesongputi
Available online via Grab or Lalamove
What you need to know in buying kesong puti
When buying good quality kesong puti, take note of these:
- It should smell fresh.
- Texture must be smooth and creamy.
- It should be dense but not too hard.
- It may be soaked in a little water, but it should neither be too water nor break apart in the liquid.
Recipe Tips
This kesong puti pasta is a simple to make and ideal for quick meals on busy days. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Pasta is best served al dente. Refer to the cooking instructions in the pasta package as a guide, but make sure to also test the pasta to check for doneness. How to check if your pasta is done? Get a small piece of pasta and take a bite. If the middle still feels hard, leave the pasta to boil for a few more minutes (give it 2 to 3 minutes) and then check again.
- Salt the water. Make sure to add enough salt to make sure the pasta itself if well-seasoned.
Substitutions & Alternatives
If you are watching your meat intake, you may opt to reduce the ground pork portion and add mushrooms to maintain the meatiness of the dish. You can also add some chili flakes to give that spicy kick to your pasta dish.
