Bushra Griffith
Taleggio is a soft Italian cheese with a strong aroma and a rich, creamy, and mellow taste. It is made from cow's milk and uses five different types of mould to produce the red smear that gives it its unique look and flavour. The cheese is ready to eat within 50 days of ageing and is perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches, pizza, risotto, or even frying. When serving Taleggio, it is best to let it come to room temperature and pair it with fruits like apples, pears, or cherries, and any type of bread or cracker.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Ranges from semi-soft to soft, creamy, and somewhat spreadable |
| Rind | Granular, edible, and ranges from pale pink to intense orange with a bit of grey and green mold |
| Crust | Thin, coarse, and edible |
| Flavor | Mild and creamy with a fruity tang, and notes of nuts, fruits, cream, and butter |
| Aroma | Strong, but not pungent |
| Maturation | 6-10 weeks |
| Serving | Served at room temperature, pairs well with fruits like apples and pears, and can be used in grilled cheese sandwiches, pizza, risotto, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
How to serve Taleggio on a cheese board
Taleggio is a semi-soft, washed-rind cheese with a strong aroma and a rich yet mellow taste. Its unique flavour is due to the five different types of mould used to produce the red smear on its rind. The cheese is quick to mature and is ready to eat within 50 days of ageing.
When serving Taleggio on a cheese board, it is important to first remove the cheese from its store-bought wrapping and place it on a serving tray. Allow the cheese to come to room temperature. To guide your guests on how to cut the cheese, slice a few 1/4" thin slices and place them next to the remaining cheese. Taleggio pairs well with most types of bread and crackers, so feel free to get creative. For example, you could try serving it with Rosemary Raincoast Crisps. For accoutrements, consider offering some spicy Italian Mostarda, fresh cherries, or apple slices. Although the rind is safe to eat, it is not recommended.
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Melting Taleggio for grilled cheese sandwiches
Taleggio is a semi-soft Italian cow's milk cheese with a washed rind and a mild, slightly tangy and fruity flavour. It is an excellent melting cheese, making it perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches.
To make a Taleggio grilled cheese sandwich, you will need:
- Taleggio cheese (3-4 oz for a large 8" sandwich)
- Bread (artisanal sourdough or gluten-free bread)
- Butter (softened unsalted butter)
- Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (optional)
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Honey (optional)
Start by removing the Taleggio cheese from its wrapping and placing it on a serving tray. Allow it to come to room temperature. Remove the rind before slicing the cheese into thin pieces (about 1/4" thick).
For a large 8" sandwich, you will need around 3-4 oz of Taleggio cheese. Layer the cheese on your chosen bread, along with any desired toppings or fillings. Some suggested pairings include ham, caramelized onions, and apple slices.
To cook the sandwich, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Place the sandwich in the skillet and cook, pressing gently with a spatula, until the bottom is golden and the cheese begins to melt, which should take around 4 minutes. Then, flip the sandwich and cook for an additional 4 minutes, or until golden.
If desired, sprinkle some red pepper flakes and a drizzle of honey over the melted Taleggio for a sweet and spicy kick. You can also add Parmigiano Reggiano cheese for an extra salty and nutty flavour.
With its mild, tangy, and fruity notes, Taleggio is an excellent choice for grilled cheese sandwiches, offering a rich and creamy texture when melted. Its melting properties and flavour profile make it a versatile cheese for a variety of dishes beyond grilled cheese, including pizza, risotto, and paninis.
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Using Taleggio as a topping for pizza
Taleggio is a great choice for a pizza topping, as it melts wonderfully and has a strong aroma and a rich yet mellow taste. Its mild and creamy flavour makes it the perfect addition to your pizza.
To make a Taleggio pizza, you will need to prepare the dough and cook any toppings beforehand. For example, if you are adding mushrooms, you should saute them with garlic, thyme, and a little salt before placing them on the pizza. You can also add other toppings, such as zucchini, potatoes, onions, tomato sauce, or mozzarella.
Once your toppings are prepared, drizzle olive oil on the pizza dough and spread it evenly. Then, place your toppings on the dough, distributing them evenly. If you are making a Taleggio and mushroom pizza, place the mozzarella and Taleggio on the dough first, followed by the mushrooms.
Finally, bake your pizza in the oven until the cheese has melted and the crust is golden brown. For a large pizza, this should take around 10-20 minutes in an oven preheated to the highest setting. However, cooking times may vary depending on your oven and the size of your pizza.
Let the pizza cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy your homemade Taleggio pizza!
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Adding Taleggio to risotto
Taleggio is a semi-soft washed-rind cheese made with cow's milk. It has a strong aroma, a rich yet mellow taste, and a tangy aftertaste. It is a popular choice for risottos as it melts wonderfully, adding a creamy texture and a funky, earthy flavour.
To make a Taleggio risotto, you will need Carnaroli rice, Taleggio cheese, a shallot, butter, white wine, vegetable stock, salt, and parmesan cheese. You can also add onion, ham or prosciutto, and parsley to garnish.
Start by simmering the vegetable stock. Peel and slice the shallot and brown it in butter in a separate pan. Once golden, add the rice and let it toast for three minutes. Then, add the wine and let it evaporate. Add the stock one ladle at a time, letting the rice absorb the liquid before adding more.
While the rice is cooking, cut the rind off the Taleggio and discard it. Cut the cheese into small cubes, setting some slices aside. Once the rice has absorbed all the liquid, add the cheese cubes and mix until melted. Season with salt and pepper, if needed.
To serve, transfer the risotto onto plates or bowls and place the sliced Taleggio on top. It will start melting instantly. Garnish with the onion-ham mixture and sprinkle with parsley.
You can also add spinach to your Taleggio risotto. To do this, blend cooked spinach with butter until smooth. Saute onion, celery, and garlic in butter until translucent, then stir in the spinach puree. Add the wine and cook until absorbed, followed by the stock. Finally, stir in the Taleggio and serve immediately.
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Grating Taleggio over salad
Grating Taleggio over a salad is a great way to serve this Italian cheese. Taleggio has a strong aroma and a rich, mellow, and robust flavor. Its complex combination of salty, nutty, and doughy notes, with soft tones of fruit, make it an excellent addition to a salad. Its mellow flavor can accentuate the other ingredients in the salad without the risk of overpowering them.
When grating Taleggio over a salad, it is best to use a younger cheese, as younger cheeses often melt better. The moisture content of the cheese is also important, as cheeses with higher moisture content have more milk proteins that spread out when heated, making them ideal for melting.
Before grating, remove the cheese from its store-bought wrapping and place it on a serving tray. Allow the cheese to come to room temperature before grating it over the salad. Grated Taleggio can add a creamy texture and a burst of flavor to your salad.
Taleggio pairs well with poultry, leafy greens, and neutral vegetables. When making a salad, consider including ingredients like spinach, grilled zucchini, potatoes, eggplant, or chicken. This cheese also goes well with delicate, moderately savory Italian cured meats like prosciutto, pancetta, porchetta, or mortadella.
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Frequently asked questions
Taleggio is a soft Italian cheese with a strong aroma and a rich, creamy, fruity taste. It is best served at room temperature to fully bring out its flavour and aroma. It pairs well with bread, crackers, apples and pears.
Taleggio has a robust and complex flavour profile. The most forward flavour notes are nuts and fruits, with creamy and buttery notes underneath. It has a distinct tang in the aftertaste.
Taleggio melts wonderfully, so it is perfect for any dish that requires melted cheese, such as grilled cheese sandwiches, pizza, and risotto. It can also be coated in flour, eggs and breadcrumbs and then fried.
