As I continue in my quest to explore the culinary world, I have grown to love cheese more and more. So many to choose from, so many different flavors, and this salty and sometimes sweet substance always seems to add that special touch to a dish.
Below are some experiments and lessons learned from cooking with cheeses...
Mozzarella is a perfect melting cheese . Very subtle in flavor and can be used in larger quantities.
Ricotta adds a creamy touch to a dish. Tired of red sauces? Add some ricotta and cream and you have a whole new sauce.
Parmesan adds a saltiness to dishes that I love. More crumbly by nature and better in smaller amounts. Great as a last addition to pasta, pesto, or alone with some wine.
Manchego is similar in texture to Parmesan but is not as pungent and originate from Spain. A fun cheese to experiment with. I created a Spanish style pesto listed below and substituted manchego instead of Parmesan.
Feta, goat cheese, blue cheese. These cheeses are creamy and perfect for salads or as a stuffing ingredient. For instance, I made the mistake of using mozzarella in stuffed mushrooms and I basically created a quiche inside of a mushroom. Any of these creamy cheeses would have been a perfect alternative.
Gouda and Gruyere. These cheeses generally come as a block and are easy to slice. They have very strong and sometimes bitter characteristics that go well with starchy products. I love adding these cheeses to make a potato gratin or specialty mac'n'cheese.
Brie cheese is extremely creamy and buttery. Tastes amazing baked with sweet ingredients like apricot preserves. Can be eaten as an appetizer but also tastes great melted on sandwiches.
Its amazing how an entire new world opens up once we get past processed and sliced american, swiss, and jack cheeses. Explore and enjoy!
Cilantro Pesto
In a food processor combine...
- bunch of cilantro
- roasted pine nuts
- onion powder, dash of honey
- 2 cloves garlic
- s&p
- 1/4 cup shaved manchego cheese
Tasted great on top of spiced seared scallops.
spice rub includes: ancho chile powder, smoked paprika, s&p, onion powder, cumin, coriander
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