Delicious Food Pairings For Pecorino Cheese Revealed

Pecorino is a delicious, salty Italian cheese made from sheep's milk. It is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many dishes, from pasta to burgers. So what are the best pairings for pecorino cheese?

The salty notes of pecorino can be contrasted with something sweet, such as honey, jams, or balsamic vinegar. It also pairs well with fruits like apples, melons, and figs. For a more savoury option, pecorino can be enjoyed with walnuts, hazelnuts, or olives.

When it comes to wine, a full-bodied red or a heavy tannin is a good choice to stand up to the strong flavour of pecorino. Some suggestions include a Chianti, Barolo, or a fruity Cabernet Sauvignon.

Pecorino can also be used in cooking, adding a punch of flavour to pasta dishes, salads, and pizzas. It can be melted in a cheese sauce or grated over pizzas and salads.

So there you have it! Pecorino is a tasty and versatile cheese that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways.

Pecorino with honey, walnuts, dried figs, or fruit

Pecorino is a salty, sheep's milk cheese that is perfect for grating over pasta. It is often used interchangeably with parmesan and is the correct cheese to use in carbonara. It can be used in a variety of pasta dishes, melted in a cheese sauce, or even frozen.

Pecorino is delicious when paired with something sweet to contrast its salty notes. Honey is a classic pairing, and the two together are a fantastic combination of flavours. Drizzle honey over pecorino or serve the cheese with dried figs, which are the perfect example of a dry fruit that contains both sweet and savoury notes.

For a refreshing summer dish, serve pecorino with melon or apples, or try making a salad with pear, nuts, and cheese. If you're feeling adventurous, try making pecorino baskets by finely grating the cheese, making circles on a baking tray, grilling until golden, and laying the cheese over a ramekin to make tasty baskets that you can fill with chilli or other savoury treats.

If you're looking for a more indulgent pairing, try pecorino with walnuts. The cheese's nutty notes will be enhanced, and the combination of flavours will be a delight. This pairing works especially well with aged pecorino, as the cheese takes on more intense nutty flavours as it matures.

Pecorino in pasta dishes

Pecorino is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of pasta dishes. Here are some ideas and tips to incorporate Pecorino into your pasta creations:

Grated Pecorino

The most common way to use Pecorino in pasta dishes is to grate it over the top. Its strong flavour means that a little goes a long way, and it can add a salty, peppery kick to your dish. Grated Pecorino is a great way to finish off a pasta dish, adding a punch of flavour.

Cacio e Pepe

One of the most classic ways to use Pecorino in a pasta dish is in Cacio e Pepe. This simple Roman dish combines pasta with a healthy amount of grated Pecorino and freshly cracked black pepper. The cheese melts into the hot pasta to create a creamy, peppery sauce.

Carbonara

Pecorino can also be used in a carbonara. Its salty, savoury flavour is a great addition to the egg and bacon in this classic Roman dish.

Pesto

The original pesto recipe from Genoa uses Pecorino, and its salty, savoury notes work well with the basil, pine nuts and olive oil.

Baked Pasta Dishes

Pecorino can be used in baked pasta dishes such as lasagne, adding a salty, savoury note to the dish. It can also be used in a fondue to pour over a steak or as a sauce for pasta.

Pairing with Other Ingredients

When creating a pasta dish with Pecorino, consider pairing it with ingredients that complement its salty, savoury flavour. Walnuts, honey, and fruits such as apples, melons, and figs can all work well with Pecorino. Additionally, consider using Pecorino in combination with other cheeses, such as Parmigiano Reggiano, to create a more complex flavour profile.

Pecorino is a delicious and versatile cheese that can enhance a variety of pasta dishes. Experiment with different combinations of ingredients and flavours to discover your favourite ways to use Pecorino in your pasta creations!

Pecorino with wine

Pecorino Romano is a hard, salty, sheep's milk cheese that is typically grated like Parmigiano when served. It is aged for at least nine months and sometimes longer, which results in more nutty flavours. When pairing Pecorino Romano with wine, it is important to choose a wine that can stand up to this potent cheese.

For red wine drinkers, a fruity Cabernet Sauvignon, a potent Chianti, or a Barolo are all good choices to pair with Pecorino Romano. These wines have the body and tannins to match the salty, nutty flavours of the cheese.

If you prefer white wine, it is best to choose a full-bodied variety such as Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, or Riesling. These wines will not be overpowered by the strong flavours of the cheese.

For an unexpected pairing, try Pecorino Romano with a Pecorino wine. This white wine is grown in the Marche, Abruzzo, Tuscany, Umbria, and Lazio regions of Italy and is made from grapes that are certified organic, biodynamic, and vegan. It has an intense nose with hints of straw, crisp green apple, and piquant lime. It is surprisingly full-bodied for a white wine, making it a good match for the salty, nutty flavours of Pecorino Romano.

Pecorino in salads

Pecorino is a versatile cheese that can be used to add a salty, peppery bite to salads. Here are some tips and ideas for incorporating Pecorino into your salad creations:

Types of Pecorino

Pecorino is an Italian sheep's milk cheese with a rich and buttery texture. The flavour intensifies as it ages, taking on more nutty notes. There are three main types of Pecorino, classified by their length of aging:

• Fresco: a young Pecorino, usually about a month old, with a sweet and grassy flavour.
• Stagionata: aged Pecorino, at least four months old.
• Semi-stagionata: semi-aged Pecorino, which falls somewhere in between the young and aged varieties.

Classic Pairings

When it comes to Pecorino, there are some classic pairings that are well-loved. These include:

• Pears: The sweetness of pears creates a beautiful contrast with the salty cheese.
• Walnuts: Walnuts enhance the nutty flavours of aged Pecorino.
• Honey: Drizzling honey over Pecorino adds a touch of sweetness that balances the saltiness of the cheese.
• Raw ham: The savoury flavours of raw ham complement the creamy texture of Pecorino.

Creative Combinations

If you're feeling adventurous, try incorporating Pecorino into your salads with these unique combinations:

• Semi-seasoned Pecorino and basil: This combination may seem unexpected, but it works beautifully in a summer salad or cold pasta dish, especially when paired with cherry tomatoes.
• Seasoned Pecorino and dried figs: The intense, savoury flavour of aged Pecorino pairs perfectly with the sweet and nutty flavours of dried figs. Try serving a classic cheese tray with slices of Pecorino topped with dried figs.
• Semi-seasoned Pecorino and seafood: Although combining fish and cheese may seem unconventional, balancing the flavours can create a successful pairing. Try making a fish broth with small ravioli stuffed with sheep's milk ricotta and Pecorino fondue.

Salad Inspiration

• Pear, walnut, and Pecorino salad: Combine fresh pear slices, toasted walnuts, and shaved Pecorino with a light vinaigrette.
• Fig and prosciutto salad: Pair dried figs (or fresh figs, if in season) with thin slices of prosciutto, arugula, and shaved Pecorino.
• Celery and Pecorino salad: Create a refreshing celery salad by combining celery ribs, grated Pecorino, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
• Summer salad with cherry tomatoes and basil: Toss together cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and cubes of semi-seasoned Pecorino. Drizzle with a balsamic vinaigrette.

Pecorino in burgers

Pecorino Romano is a salty, potent cheese that lends a flavorful punch to dishes. It is a great addition to burgers, adding a salty bite and a unique flavor. Here are some tips and recipes for including Pecorino in burgers:

Cracked Pepper Pecorino Burgers with Rustic Wild Mushroom Ketchup

This recipe combines the flavors of pepper, wild mushrooms, and Pecorino Romano to create a savory burger. The ground beef chuck is mixed with diced Pecorino Romano cheese, salt, and pepper to form patties. The patties are grilled to perfection and served on poppy-seeded hamburger rolls with arugula and a rustic wild mushroom ketchup. The wild mushroom ketchup is prepared by cooking bacon, shallots, and assorted wild mushrooms, along with sun-dried and plum tomatoes, beef broth, and seasonings. This burger offers a hearty and flavorful experience with the sharpness of Pecorino Romano.

Amatriciana Burgers with Tomato-Onion Jam, Bacon, and Pecorino Romano Crisps

Inspired by the famous Roman amatriciana sauce, these burgers feature a juicy beef patty topped with a spicy tomato-onion jam, crisp bacon, and Pecorino Romano cheese crisps. The key to this recipe is using 80% lean ground beef for a juicy, flavorful burger, and handling the meat as little as possible to achieve the perfect texture. The Pecorino Romano cheese crisps are made by baking grated cheese into crispy, melted rounds. This combination of flavors and textures creates a delicious and unique burger experience.

Pairing Pecorino with Other Ingredients

When including Pecorino in burgers, consider pairing it with ingredients that complement its salty notes or can stand up to its strong flavor. Pickled giardiniera, green olives, and walnuts or hazelnuts can be great pairings. Sweet accompaniments such as jams, honey, or balsamic vinegar can also contrast nicely with the saltiness of the cheese. Additionally, simple fruits like apples, melons, or figs can be paired with Pecorino to create a harmonious combination of flavors.

Wine Pairings

When choosing a wine to accompany a Pecorino burger, opt for a robust wine that can stand up to the complex flavor of the cheese. Full-bodied red wines with heavy tannins, such as a fruity Cabernet Sauvignon, a Chianti, or a Barolo, would be excellent choices. If you prefer white wine, go for fuller-bodied options like Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, or Rieslings.

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