Randy Chandler
Parmesan cheese is a key ingredient in a classic Caesar salad, but which type of parmesan is best? While some sources suggest that any parmesan cheese will do, others recommend buying a block of Parmegiano-Reggiano and grating or shaving it yourself for the best flavour. If you're looking for a milder alternative, Mexican Cotija or grana padano are good substitutes, or you can use Pecorino Romano, but reduce the quantity by a third to keep the salt level and flavour in line.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Grated, shredded, shaved, or a block or wedge to grate yourself |
| Quality | Parmegiano-Reggiano is the highest quality |
| Brand | Sargento |
| Avoid | Powdered parmesan, Kraft |
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What You'll Learn
Grated, shredded or shaved parmesan
For a classic Caesar salad, you'll need romaine lettuce, croutons, parmesan cheese and Caesar dressing. You can tear or cut the lettuce, but uniform pieces make for easier eating. Homemade croutons are preferred, but store-bought works okay. For the dressing, homemade is always better than bottled.
For a large bowl of Caesar salad, add 3 cups of chopped romaine lettuce, 1/2 cup of shaved or shredded parmesan cheese and 1 cup of homemade croutons. Pour the desired amount of Caesar dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently to combine.
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Parmegiano-Reggiano for the best quality
For the best quality Caesar salad, it is recommended to use Parmegiano-Reggiano. This is the highest quality Parmesan cheese available and will elevate your salad to the next level.
Parmegiano-Reggiano is a hard, Italian cheese made from cow's milk and aged for at least 12 months. It has a strong, nutty flavour and a granular texture. When buying Parmegiano-Reggiano, look for the official seal of the Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano-Reggiano, which guarantees the cheese's authenticity and quality.
To get the most flavour out of your Parmegiano-Reggiano, buy a whole block or wedge of cheese and grate or shave it yourself. You can use a cheese grater, a vegetable peeler, or a specialized tool called a 'truffle shaver' to create thin, delicate shavings. Aim for large, uniform shavings or gratings that will coat your lettuce leaves and croutons evenly.
If you are unable to find Parmegiano-Reggiano, or are looking for a milder flavour, you can substitute Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano. However, be aware that these cheeses have a higher salt content, so you may want to use slightly less than your recipe calls for.
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Grana Padano as a substitute
Grated, shredded or shaved Parmesan cheese is the classic choice for a Caesar salad. For the best flavour, buy a whole block or wedge of cheese and grate or shave it yourself. If you want to be more indulgent, use Parmegiano-Reggiano.
However, if you're looking for a substitute, Grana Padano is a good option. It's a hard and hearty cheese that's reasonably close to Parmesan. It's also a good substitute if you find Parmesan a little too strong.
Grana Padano is a popular Italian cheese with a rich, nutty flavour. It's made from raw cow's milk and aged for at least nine months, resulting in a hard, granular texture. When using it in a Caesar salad, grate or shave it into thin pieces so it mixes well with the other ingredients.
While it's not an exact match for Parmesan, Grana Padano will add a delicious savoury note to your salad. It's also a more affordable option, so it's a great choice if you're looking to save a little money without sacrificing flavour.
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Pecorino Romano as a substitute
Parmesan cheese is a key ingredient in a classic Caesar salad. You can use grated, shredded or shaved Parmesan, but buying a whole block or wedge of cheese and grating or shaving it yourself yields the best flavour. If you want to go all out, use Parmegiano-Reggiano for the most quality.
However, if you're looking for a substitute, you can use Pecorino Romano. This is a very hard and hearty cheese that is reasonably close to Parmesan. When substituting, use one-third less than the recipe calls for to keep the salt level and flavour in line.
Pecorino Romano is a sheep's milk cheese with a strong, salty flavour. It is aged for at least eight months, which gives it a firm texture and a sharp taste. When using it in a Caesar salad, grate or shave the cheese yourself for the best flavour. You can find Pecorino Romano at most delis or speciality food stores.
When substituting Pecorino Romano for Parmesan in a Caesar salad, it is important to consider the other ingredients in the salad. The cheese should complement the crisp romaine lettuce, crunchy croutons and creamy dressing. If you are using store-bought croutons, you may want to use a little more Pecorino Romano to add extra flavour to the salad. However, if you are making your own croutons and dressing from scratch, you may want to use a little less cheese to let those flavours shine through.
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Mexican Cotija as a milder option
Mexican Cotija is a milder option for those who find Parmesan cheese too strong. It is a very hard and hearty cheese that can be grated, shredded or shaved. Buying a whole block or wedge of cheese and grating or shaving it yourself yields the best flavour.
For a classic Caesar salad, you'll need romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese and Caesar dressing. You can tear or cut the lettuce, though uniform pieces make for easier eating. Store-bought croutons work okay, but homemade is preferred and not that difficult. You can use grated, shredded or shaved Parmesan cheese, though buying a whole block or wedge of cheese and grating or shaving it yourself yields the best flavour. And if you want to go all-out, use Parmegiano-Reggiano for the most quality.
Once again, homemade Caesar dressing is much better than bottled. Make a large batch and have it on hand for salads throughout the week. In a large bowl, add 3 cups of chopped romaine lettuce, 1/2 cup of shaved or shredded Parmesan cheese, and 1 cup of homemade croutons. Pour the desired amount of Caesar dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently to combine.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use grated, shredded or shaved parmesan cheese. Buying a whole block or wedge of cheese and grating or shaving it yourself yields the best flavour.
Avoid using the Kraft parmesan cheese in a cylinder can.
If you want to go all-out, use Parmegiano-Reggiano for the most quality.
You can substitute Pecorino Romano for parmesan, but use one-third less than the recipe calls for to keep the salt level and flavour in line. Mexican Cotija is another alternative for a milder flavour.
Sargento parmesan is a good brand of parmesan cheese for a Caesar salad.
