Kamil Perry
The Old Spaghetti Factory's signature Mizithra Cheese and Browned Butter pasta is a beloved dish with a devoted following. The recipe is simple, with only a few ingredients, but the combination of nutty browned butter and sharp, aged Mizithra cheese creates an unforgettable flavour. The Old Spaghetti Factory served over 200,000 pounds of Mizithra cheese last year alone, and you can buy their pre-grated Mizithra and Romano Cheese Blend at select grocery stores. However, if you can't get your hands on Mizithra cheese, you can substitute it with Parmesan or a blend of Romano and Kasseri cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Mizithra |
| Cheese brand | The Old Spaghetti Factory |
| Cheese blend | 75% Mizithra, 25% Romano |
| Cheese texture | Firm, dry, crumbly |
| Cheese ingredients | Pasteurized sheep's and goat's whey, milk and cream, salt |
| Cheese substitute | Parmesan or Romano |
| Dish | Spaghetti with Mizithra Cheese and Browned Butter |
| Recipe | Spaghetti, browned butter, Mizithra cheese, Romano cheese, parsley |
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What You'll Learn
The Old Spaghetti Factory's Mizithra Cheese and Browned Butter pasta
The pasta dish is easy to make and comes together with only a few ingredients. First, cook the pasta according to the package directions and drain without rinsing. While the pasta is cooking, brown the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. As the butter melts, it will begin to foam, which should be removed with a spoon. Continue cooking until the butter browns.
Next, place the cooked pasta, browned butter, Mizithra cheese, and Romano cheese in a bowl. Toss until the pasta is well-coated, ensuring the cheese is freshly grated to provide that unique flavour. The dish is then ready to serve, garnished with parsley. It is best served immediately as it does not reheat well.
For those who cannot find Mizithra cheese, acceptable substitutes include a fine grated combination of Romano and Kasseri cheese or grated Parmesan. The Old Spaghetti Factory also offers a convenient pre-grated Mizithra and Romano cheese blend that can be purchased from some grocery stores.
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The blend of Mizithra and Romano cheeses
Mizithra is a traditional Greek cheese that has been enjoyed for thousands of years. It is a very firm, dry, and crumbly cheese made from a blend of cow, goat, and sheep milk. Its flavour is described as nutty and salty, similar to Parmesan, and it does not fully melt, making it perfect for pasta dishes as it provides an extra burst of flavour. The Old Spaghetti Factory served over 200,000 pounds of Mizithra cheese last year alone, showcasing its popularity.
Romano cheese, on the other hand, is a sharp, tangy cheese that balances out the Mizithra. It is made from pasteurized cow's milk, cheese cultures, sea salt, and enzymes. When combined with Mizithra, the blend creates a unique flavour profile that has gained a devoted following. The Old Spaghetti Factory offers a pre-grated Mizithra and Romano cheese blend in stores, making it convenient for those who want to recreate their signature dish at home.
The process of making the signature dish involves cooking the pasta according to package directions and browning the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. The browned butter, pasta, Mizithra, and Romano cheese are then tossed together until the pasta is well coated. The dish is garnished with parsley and served immediately. This blend of Mizithra and Romano cheeses has become synonymous with The Old Spaghetti Factory, offering a unique and memorable dining experience to its patrons.
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The difficulty of finding Mizithra cheese
Mizithra cheese is a traditional Greek cheese that has been enjoyed for thousands of years. It is a very firm, dry, and crumbly cheese made from a blend of cow, goat, and sheep milk. While it is a beloved ingredient in many dishes, finding Mizithra cheese can be a challenging task.
The cheese is known for its distinct nutty, salty flavor and is especially popular in pasta dishes, where it pairs perfectly with nutty browned butter. The Old Spaghetti Factory, a well-known restaurant chain, features Mizithra cheese in one of its signature dishes, the Spaghetti with Mizithra Cheese and Browned Butter. This dish has gained a devoted following and is a favorite among many diners.
However, for those who wish to recreate this dish at home, locating Mizithra cheese can prove difficult. It tends to be available primarily at specialty Greek markets or select grocery stores, and even then, it may not always be in stock. Some sources suggest substituting other types of cheese, such as Parmesan or a blend of Romano and Kasseri cheese, if Mizithra is unavailable. These substitutes can provide a similar texture and saltiness, but the unique flavor of Mizithra will be missing.
The scarcity of Mizithra cheese may be due to a variety of factors, including production limitations, regional availability, or fluctuations in demand. Additionally, those who seek out this particular cheese should be prepared for a higher price point compared to more common varieties. Nevertheless, for those willing to put in the effort and expense, Mizithra cheese can be a delicious and memorable ingredient, adding a special touch to pasta dishes and other recipes.
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The Old Spaghetti Factory Grated Mizithra & Romano Cheese Blend
The Old Spaghetti Factory's Grated Mizithra & Romano Cheese Blend is a convenient product offered by the restaurant chain for purchase at select grocery stores. The blend consists of 75% Mizithra cheese and 25% Romano cheese.
Mizithra is a traditional Greek cheese made from a blend of cow, goat, and sheep milk. It is described as a very firm, dry, and crumbly cheese with a nutty, salty flavour. The cheese is challenging to find and expensive, so The Old Spaghetti Factory's blend provides a convenient alternative for those who want to recreate the restaurant's signature Mizithra Cheese and Browned Butter pasta at home.
The pasta dish is simple yet unforgettable, combining nutty browned butter with sharp, aged Mizithra cheese. The Old Spaghetti Factory's blend of Mizithra and Romano cheeses can be used in a copycat recipe, which involves browning butter in a saucepan, tossing cooked pasta in the browned butter, and then coating the pasta with the grated cheese blend. The dish is then garnished with parsley and served immediately.
The Old Spaghetti Factory's Grated Mizithra & Romano Cheese Blend is a testament to the popularity of their signature pasta dish, allowing customers to recreate the unique flavours of Mizithra cheese at home without the hassle of sourcing this specialty cheese.
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The Old Spaghetti Factory's pre-grated Mizithra & Romano cheese blend
Mizithra is a traditional Greek cheese that has been enjoyed for thousands of years. It is made from a blend of cow, goat, and sheep milk, resulting in a very firm, dry, and crumbly texture. The cheese has a nutty, salty flavour and does not fully melt, making it ideal for pasta as it provides an extra burst of flavour.
Romano cheese, on the other hand, adds sharp, tangy notes that balance the Mizithra. The combination of these two cheeses with nutty browned butter creates an unforgettable dish that has become a favourite among patrons of The Old Spaghetti Factory.
The blend is a convenient option for those who want to enjoy the unique flavours of Mizithra and Romano cheeses without the hassle of grating them themselves. It also ensures that the cheese ratios are correct, as the blend is composed of 75% Mizithra and 25% Romano cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
The Old Spaghetti Factory uses its own brand of mizithra cheese. It is a blend of 75% mizithra and 25% romano cheese.
You can buy The Old Spaghetti Factory's mizithra cheese blend at some grocery stores, including Kroger and Sprouts Farmers Market.
If you can't find mizithra cheese, you can use parmesan or a combination of romano cheese and kasseri cheese as a substitute.
