Delicious Stracchino: Creative Ways To Use This Cheese

Stracchino is a soft, delicate Italian cheese with a buttery texture and a characteristic milky flavor. It is made with whole cow's milk and has a raw curd. It is quite versatile due to its fresh flavor and can be eaten on its own or used as an ingredient in a variety of recipes. It is excellent when paired with bitter vegetables like radicchio, artichokes, and chicory, or with intense-flavored cold cuts like speck. It can be added to a piadina, risotto, or pasta, or used as a filling for tarts or cheesecakes. Stracchino is also used in some dessert recipes.

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Use as a table cheese

Stracchino is a soft, buttery cheese with a delicate flavour and aroma of milk. It is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, including as a table cheese. When used as a table cheese, stracchino can be served on its own, or paired with other foods such as bread, croutons, or vegetables. It is excellent when paired with bitter vegetables like radicchio, artichokes, and chicory, as well as intense-flavoured cold cuts or sausages like speck.

When serving stracchino as a table cheese, it is important to consider its texture and flavour. Stracchino is a delicate cheese, so it should be consumed when it has a uniform colour and pure white surface, without any yellowish spots, which indicate that the cheese is starting to spoil. Its texture should be delicate but firm, and it should have a milky aroma.

To enhance the flavour and texture of stracchino when serving it as a table cheese, it can be allowed to mature briefly, for up to two to four weeks. This ageing process will give the cheese a softer, gooier texture and a more complex flavour. However, it is important to note that freshly made stracchino, consumed within one to two weeks, will have a richer, tangier, and looser texture and flavour.

When serving stracchino as a table cheese, it is best paired with simple, complementary flavours that will not overwhelm its delicate taste. It can be enjoyed as a final touch to a meal, or as an ingredient in more complex recipes. Some serving suggestions include spreading it on bread or croutons, pairing it with bitter or intense-flavoured meats and vegetables, or using it as a filling for tarts or cheesecakes.

As a filling for piadina

Stracchino is a soft cheese with origins in Lombardy. It is a versatile ingredient that can be used in the kitchen in a variety of ways, including as a table cheese, spread on bread, or in recipes. One popular way to use stracchino cheese is as a filling for piadina, a traditional Italian flatbread sandwich from Romagna.

Piadina is a thin, unleavened flatbread that has been made in Romagna for centuries and is considered a symbolic food of the region. It is typically made with white flour, lard or olive oil, salt, and water. The dough is cooked on a flat pan or electric griddle, though it was traditionally cooked on a terracotta dish called a "teggia" or "testo".

When used as a filling for piadina, stracchino cheese is often paired with cold meats such as prosciutto or speck, and vegetables such as rocket salad or arugula. The combination of stracchino, prosciutto, and rocket is a classic and very tasty filling option for piadina.

To make piadina with stracchino cheese at home, you can follow a simple recipe by combining flour, soda bicarbonate, lard or olive oil, salt, and equal quantities of water and white wine to make a smooth dough. The dough is then kneaded, rolled out thinly, cut into circles, and cooked on a pan over medium heat for 1-2 minutes on each side. The piadina can then be filled with stracchino cheese, along with your choice of meat and vegetables, and folded in half like a sandwich.

In a risotto

Stracchino is a versatile Italian cheese with a delicate, fresh flavour. It can be added to a risotto for a light creaminess. Here are some tips and recipes for using stracchino cheese in a risotto:

Risotto with Stracchino Cheese, Pears, and Hazelnuts

This dish is a perfect first course for autumn and winter. The sweetness of the fruit goes well with the subtly pungent taste of the stracchino cheese, which coats the rice and enriches it with flavour. The crunchiness of the hazelnuts balances the dish, and toasting them in a pan brings out their flavour. To prepare this dish, peel and slice a shallot. Wash and dice a pear, without peeling. Fry the shallots with a little oil and add the rice and a stock cube, pouring in some white wine. Cook the rice until crispy and add the stracchino cheese until it melts. Serve with the remaining pears, toasted hazelnuts, and pepper to taste.

Risotto with Cherry Tomatoes and Stracchino

This recipe is a twist on the classic risotto, adding cherry tomatoes for a fresh and summery flavour. To prepare this dish, fry half a shallot with a little olive oil and add 180 grams of rice and a stock cube, pouring in some white wine. Cook the rice until crispy and add the stracchino cheese until it melts. Serve with cherry tomatoes, a drizzle of olive oil, and parsley.

Other Tips

Stracchino cheese can also be used in a simple risotto with zucchini. It adds a light creaminess to the dish. The cheese also pairs well with bitter vegetables like radicchio, artichokes, and chicory, as well as intense-flavoured cold cuts like speck.

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As a cheesecake filling

Stracchino is a versatile Italian cheese with a tender texture and a milky flavour. It is made from cow's milk and has a brief maturation period of 20-30 days. Its name is derived from the Lombardy dialect word "stracch", which means "tired", referring to the cows that return exhausted from summer grazing and produce less milk. This cheese is an excellent addition to various dishes, including savoury snacks, salads, and even desserts.

When used as a cheesecake filling, stracchino adds a creamy texture and tangy flavour. Here are some tips and ideas for using stracchino cheese in this context:

Preparation and Flavour Pairings

Stracchino can be used as a cheesecake filling on its own or blended with other cheeses for a more complex flavour profile. Its creamy texture lends itself well to creating a rich and indulgent cheesecake filling. When preparing the filling, consider blending the cheese with cream, milk, or yoghurt to adjust the consistency and create a smoother mixture.

For flavour pairings, stracchino's mild tanginess complements both sweet and savoury ingredients. Consider combining it with fruits such as apples, peaches, apricots, or berries for a refreshing take on cheesecake. Alternatively, create a more indulgent dessert by pairing it with ingredients like chocolate, caramel, or nuts. The cheese's versatility allows for experimentation with different combinations to suit your taste preferences.

Baking Tips

When baking with stracchino, it's important to consider the temperature and baking time to achieve the desired texture and flavour. The cheese melts easily, so a gentle baking temperature will help create a smooth and creamy cheesecake. Adjust the baking time depending on whether you prefer a firmer or softer texture.

Additionally, consider using a water bath baking method, which involves placing the cheesecake pan within a larger pan of hot water. This technique helps the cheesecake bake more evenly and reduces the risk of over-baking, ensuring a creamy and luscious texture.

Presentation and Serving Suggestions

When serving stracchino cheesecake, consider garnishing with fresh fruit or a fruit compote to enhance its flavour. A drizzle of sweet honey or a dusting of cocoa powder can also elevate the dessert's presentation and taste. Stracchino cheesecakes pair well with light wines or beers, making them an excellent choice for a summer dessert or an indulgent treat any time of the year.

In conclusion, stracchino cheese is a versatile ingredient that can transform a simple cheesecake into a decadent and unique dessert. By experimenting with flavour pairings, adjusting baking techniques, and presenting the cheesecake with creative garnishes, you can create a delicious and impressive stracchino cheesecake that will impress your guests.

With bitter vegetables

Stracchino is a soft, fresh Italian cheese with a rich history and a creamy, delicate flavour. It is made from cow's milk, usually pasteurised, and has a spreadable texture. Its creamy consistency makes it perfect for spreading, melting, or using as a filling.

When paired with bitter vegetables, stracchino's creamy texture and mild tanginess balance out the bitterness of the vegetables. Here are some ways to use stracchino cheese with bitter vegetables:

In a Piadina

A classic Italian way to eat stracchino is in a piadina, a thin, grilled flatbread from the Emilia-Romagna region. The stracchino melts beautifully, creating a creamy filling. You can pair it with bitter vegetables such as radicchio, celery, or escarole. The bitterness of the vegetables is offset by the creamy cheese, creating a delicious combination.

With Grilled Vegetables

Stracchino pairs well with grilled bitter vegetables, such as grilled radicchio, endive, or dandelion greens. The charred flavours from grilling add a depth of flavour to the vegetables, and when paired with the creamy stracchino, it creates a delightful contrast in textures and tastes.

In a Salad

Create a unique salad by combining bitter vegetables like radicchio, endive, or arugula with slices of fresh stracchino. The cheese adds a creamy element to the salad, balancing out the bitterness of the vegetables. You can also add some nuts and a simple vinaigrette to enhance the flavours.

As a Dip

Stracchino can be used as a dip for raw bitter vegetables like celery, radishes, or fennel. Its spreadable texture makes it perfect for dipping, and the creamy cheese will help to mellow the intense flavours of the raw vegetables.

In a Risotto

Adding stracchino to a risotto with bitter vegetables like radicchio or endive creates a creamy and comforting dish. The cheese adds a subtle tanginess to the risotto, complementing the bitterness of the vegetables and creating a harmonious blend of flavours.

Stracchino's versatility and delicate flavour make it a wonderful cheese to experiment with in the kitchen. When paired with bitter vegetables, it adds a creamy texture and a subtle tang, creating a delightful culinary experience.

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