Vero Italiano: formaggio

Cheese

For the latest in Mario Matassa’s series on the secrets of Italian food, we turn to the subject of cheese, focusing on fontina, ricotta, parmesan, pecorino and mascarpone Photos by Mario Matassa According to my doctor, it’s okay for me to eat a little cheese every day – just as long as I always wash […]

Buy Italia: Parmigiano Reggiano

Hailing from Emilia-Romagna, the clue is in the name: Parmigiano Reggiano is the ‘king’ of Italian cheeses. We tried seven savoury samples to find our favourite. Parmesan enjoys Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, meaning that similar hard cheeses from other regions – and of varying quality – cannot use its name. As a rule, […]

Cheese and Parma ham twists

These cheese and parma ham twists from Lakeland are the perfect snack!  Ingredients: 225g plain flour Pinch salt 50g butter, cubed 50g lard, cubed 150g Parmesan cheese, grated 30ml cold water 1 egg, beaten 8 slices Parma ham Method: Preheat the oven to 180°C/Gas 4 and line 2 baking sheets with non-stick liner. Combine the flour […]

Parmesan, pea and asparagus risotto

The king of Italian cheeses, Parmigiano Reggiano’s heritage dates back 900 years! Parmesan, pea and asparagus risotto Serves 4 – Preparation 10 minutes – Cooking 30 minutes Ingredients 70g butter 1 onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1 stick celery, chopped 150g asparagus, chopped 300g risotto rice 200ml white wine 700ml vegetable stock 150g […]

Pizza with Radicchio and Parmesan Cheese

Radicchio is a popular vegetable in Italian cooking and its intense flavour pairs well with traditional pizza ingredients such as cheese and pancetta. The bright red leaves also make a dish all the more attractive to look at… Ingredients SERVES 4-6 FOR THE DOUGH 300g plain wheat flour 100g strong wheat flour 20g Brewer’s yeast […]