Appreciating The King of Cheeses + win a cheese feast!

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There’s nothing quite like indulging in a delicious, sharp slice of Parmigiano Reggiano. I have mentioned in previous posts that I’ve cut dairy out of my diet for the most part, but I don’t have to deny myself the king of cheeses that is Parmigiano Reggiano, because it’s naturally lactose-free. There are just three ingredients in it, and it’s one of the best cheeses you could ever enjoy.

My Italian grandfather and I love sharing a few slices and chatting over a glass of wine. In fact, so many of my favorite family memories include all of us sitting around a table, sharing cheese, bread, olives, meats and just talking for hours. That’s one one reason out of millions why I love food so much: it brings people together and creates some of our most fondest memories.

In order to really appreciate this cheese, definitely watch this video, which depicts the art of cracking open a wheel of cheese. If you watched Season 1 of Chef’s Table on Netflix, you might remember the episode featuring master chef Massimo Bottura, also known as the “Maestro of Parmigiano Reggiano”, and his expertise in cooking with Parmigiano Reggiano. In the beginning of the episode, he tells the story of how an earthquake hit Modena, Italy, which damaged thousands of wheels of Parmigiano Reggiano and nearly destroyed production. I won’t spoil what happens, but it’s truly amazing, and it will make you appreciate this cheese even more.

OK, time for some cheese appreciation photos, enjoy:

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cheese4 — You know it’s authentic when you see “Parmigiano Reggiano” printed on the cheese! Plus, the rind is edible

How do I enjoy Parmigiano Reggiano? I love to grate some cheese over a salad or macaroni and gravy (yes, gravy, I’m from Philly, what can I say?), or pair it with some bread or crackers. But I’m super excited to test out some new recipes with Parmigiano Reggiano. If you’re like me and are not a master chef, you can still certainly indulge in a glass of wine with cheese after a long day, like my roommate and I did below.

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