The Perfect Pairings For Prosciutto And Cheese

Prosciutto is a delicate, fine Italian meat, meticulously dry-cured to achieve a buttery, smooth texture. It has a unique flavour that is slightly sweet and salty. When it comes to creating the perfect charcuterie board, cheese plays an important role. Prosciutto goes well with a variety of cheeses, including provolone, mozzarella, blue cheese, feta, parmesan, and halloumi. Provolone is a smooth and delicate cheese that contrasts the sweet and savoury flavour of prosciutto. Mozzarella, a creamy cheese, also pairs well with prosciutto, especially on a crispy pizza or panini. Blue cheese, with its sharp essence, combines terrifically with prosciutto's buttery flavour and texture. Feta, with its tangy, rich flavour, is another excellent match for prosciutto. Parmesan, or Parmigiano Reggiano, is a traditional Italian choice to accompany prosciutto, often served with fruit such as cantaloupe or pear for a mix of sweet, savoury, and salty flavours. Lastly, halloumi, made from goat's or sheep's milk, is a semi-hard, unripened cheese with a tangy flavour that pairs well with prosciutto.

Mozzarella, a creamy cheese

Mozzarella is a classic choice to pair with prosciutto. Its creamy texture and salty, sharp flavour contrast well with the delicate, buttery taste of prosciutto. This combination is a staple of Italian cuisine and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways.

One simple way to enjoy this pairing is to add some crunchy crackers to the mix. The crackers provide a textural contrast to the creamy mozzarella and delicate prosciutto, creating a satisfying bite. You can also try adding some fruit to the plate, such as slices of pear or cantaloupe, to balance the saltiness of the prosciutto and cheese with a touch of sweetness.

If you're feeling more adventurous, why not try making a prosciutto and mozzarella panini? The heat will slightly melt the mozzarella, creating a delightful, indulgent texture that pairs beautifully with the prosciutto. Alternatively, you could throw together a quick pizza with these two ingredients as a topping. The crispy crust and savoury tomato sauce will complement the prosciutto and mozzarella perfectly.

For a more substantial meal, consider making a prosciutto and arugula pizza, where the creamy mozzarella acts as the perfect base for the other flavours. This combination of salty, creamy, and bitter notes creates a delicious and well-rounded flavour profile that is sure to impress.

Provolone, a smooth and delicate cheese

Provolone is an Italian cheese made from cow's milk. It is a "pasta filata" cheese, which means it is a stretched curd cheese. It has a smooth and delicate texture, and its flavour can vary from mild to sharp and nutty, depending on how long it has been aged. The longer it matures, the more intense the flavour.

Provolone is an excellent cheese to pair with prosciutto because of its smooth and delicate texture, which contrasts the sweet and savoury flavour of prosciutto. Prosciutto is a rich and salty meat, so it is important to choose a cheese that can stand up to its strong flavour without being overpowered. Provolone's versatility means it can be enjoyed in different ways with prosciutto.

For a classic pairing, look for mature provolone varieties, as the more intense flavour will stand up to the prosciutto. Smoked provolone is also a great choice, as the smokiness will add another layer of flavour to the pairing. These more robust varieties of provolone are perfect for melting, so consider making a panini with prosciutto and provolone on sourdough bread. The combination of strong flavours and the crunch of the bread will create a delicious, satisfying bite.

If you want to highlight the delicate side of provolone, try pairing younger, milder provolone with prosciutto. The mild provolone will provide a creamy texture without overwhelming the palate. This pairing is perfect for a summer charcuterie board, served with fresh fruit like cantaloupe or melon, and a drizzle of honey or marmalade. The sweetness of the fruit and honey will balance the salty prosciutto, while the provolone will provide a smooth, creamy mouthfeel.

Whether you choose a mature or mild provolone, this cheese is a versatile and delicious pairing with prosciutto. Its smooth and delicate characteristics make it an excellent choice to contrast and complement the rich, savoury flavour of prosciutto.

Blue cheese, a salty and sharp cheese

Blue cheese is a popular choice to pair with prosciutto. This combination is sure to delight your taste buds with its sharp and salty flavours. The saltiness of prosciutto is a delicate balance of sweet and savoury, which is why blue cheese is a perfect pairing. The sharp, tangy flavour of blue cheese, with its distinctive odour, creates a bold contrast to the buttery texture and slight sweetness of the prosciutto.

Blue cheese is a great choice for a charcuterie board, as it pairs well with other foods such as fruits, vegetables, bread, and nuts. For a sweet and salty combination, pair blue cheese and prosciutto with dried fruits like raisins, dates, or dried figs. The sharpness of blue cheese also goes well with the sweetness of fresh fruits like berries or green apple slices. You can even add some nuts like almonds or hazelnuts to the mix.

If you're making a sandwich, blue cheese can be a great addition. Spread some blue cheese on a baguette or crusty bread, add slices of prosciutto, and top it off with arugula or fresh herbs for a tangy and creamy flavour profile. You can also try grilling the sandwich until the cheese melts for a warm and indulgent treat.

For a refreshing salad, combine arugula, thinly sliced prosciutto, caramelized onions, and crumbled blue cheese. Drizzle some balsamic glaze or vinaigrette on top for an extra layer of flavour. The saltiness of the prosciutto and the sharpness of the blue cheese will be balanced by the freshness of the arugula and the sweetness of the balsamic glaze.

When it comes to savory dishes, blue cheese and prosciutto can be a match made in heaven. Try making stuffed chicken breasts wrapped in prosciutto, or get creative with a creamy risotto. The possibilities are endless when you have these two versatile ingredients!

Feta, a tangy, rich cheese

A popular way to serve feta and prosciutto is in a salad. A simple combination of juicy tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, fresh herbs, and feta, topped with crispy prosciutto, is a refreshing option. For a more indulgent salad, glazed figs, walnuts, and pineapple chunks can be added to the mix. Feta and prosciutto can also be served on a charcuterie board, or used as toppings for pizza.

When creating a charcuterie board with feta and prosciutto, consider the following: choose a wooden or marble platter, add bowls for dips and spreads, include other cured meats such as pancetta and mortadella, and offer a variety of cheeses with different textures, such as hard, creamy, and blue cheese. Don't forget the crunch—add some crackers or bread—and produce like grapes, tomatoes, or melon to balance the salty, savoury flavours.

For a pizza, simply spread pizza sauce over a crust, add diced tomatoes and olives, sprinkle with feta, and season with oregano and pepper. Bake for a few minutes, then top with prosciutto and bake for a few minutes more. Serve with spicy pizza oil for an extra kick.

Parmigiano Reggiano, traditionally served with fruit

Parmigiano Reggiano is often called the "King of Italian Cheese" and has been made for at least 700 years. It is a hard, dry cheese made from skimmed or partially skimmed cow's milk. It has a hard, pale-golden rind and a straw-coloured interior with a rich, sharp flavour. The flavour is often described as spicy, savoury, salty, fruity, caramelised, and nutty.

Parmigiano Reggiano is traditionally served with fruit, such as cantaloupe or pear, as well as honey. The youngest Parmesan combines very well with fresh fruit (such as pears, apples, grapes, or strawberries), while the most matured is ideal with dried fruit (such as walnuts, hazelnuts, dried figs). The cheese can also be served with fruit preserves or honey, and it is ideal for an easy happy hour. Parmigiano Reggiano with a maturation of 22 months is sweet and sour at the same time, so it combines well with raw vegetables, such as celery and cherry tomatoes. It is also excellent with Italian preserved fruit mostarda, but not too spicy, for example, kiwi, apricot, or melon, and it may be served with a glass of white dry wine.

The mild flavour of Parmigiano Reggiano makes it a wine-friendly cheese. It pairs well with everything from Italian dessert wines to sparkling wines, to full-bodied reds and Italian whites like Pinot Grigio.

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