Keshi Yena

About This Recipe

Keshi Yena is an iconic Curacaoan dish where a whole cheese wheel is hollowed out, filled with spiced ground meat, peppers, and onions, then baked until golden. It represents the island's Dutch colonial heritage and local flavors combined.

Ingredients

Serves 6

• 1 wholeEdam cheese wheel (about 2 lbs)
• 1 lbground beef
• 1 mediumonion, diced
• 2 clovesgarlic, minced
• 1 cuptomato sauce
• 0.5 cupolives, chopped(optional)

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the cheese

   Slice off the top of the cheese wheel and carefully hollow it out, leaving walls about 1 inch thick. Reserve the removed cheese.

2. 2

   Cook the filling

   Sauté onion and garlic, add ground beef, cook until browned. Stir in tomato sauce, cubed cheese, and olives. Season with salt and pepper.

3. 3

   Fill and bake

   Fill the hollowed cheese with the meat mixture. Place in a baking dish with water in the bottom. Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes until cheese softens.

4. 4

   Serve

   Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Cut into wedges and serve hot with the cheese as the vessel.

Variations

• •

  Add capers and raisins for a slightly sweet-savory twist

• •

  Use shrimp instead of beef for seafood version

• •

  Mix in diced peppers and mushrooms

Storage

Best served fresh; leftovers keep refrigerated 2 days

Frequently Asked Questions