parmigiano reggiano crusted salmon with mozzarella, basil and tomato salad.

Beautiful Parmigiano Reggiano PDO cheese, an Italian inspired caprese salad and lightly seasoned salmon make this Italian style dish ideal for enjoying on these long Summer evenings. Enjoy with a cold glass of crisp Pinot Grigio to balance out the classic salty flavours of the cheese, aroma of basil and sweetness of the plump Vittoria tomatoes. 

Exclusively produced in the Northern Italian provinces of Parma, Modena Reggio Emilia, as well as parts of Mantua and Bologna, Parmigiano Reggiano PDO is a much coveted cheese. It hails from the plains, hills and mountains between the rivers Po and Reno, where the long and natural maturation makes for its distinctive fruity, nutty and yet salty taste with the crystallised texture. Cheese masters and inspectors actually say that cheese must pass “two summers”, as the transformations that determine the changes and flavour in Parmigiano Reggiano PDO are more intense in summer because of the heat.

The Parmigiano Reggiano crusted salmon recipe is simple, and would be lovely paired with potatoes, roast vegetables and your choice of salad alike. Here of course it had to be with mozzarella, basil and tomato salad, for that fresh flavour of Italy.

parma ham wrapped steak with parmigiano reggiano potatoes

When you add Parmigiano Reggiano to a dish, for me it evokes feelings of luxury and authenticy. Not many Italian dishes I make now don’t include it, whether it’s stirred into a glossy Carbonara sauce, shaved onto a salad or the finishing touches on my favourite pasta dishes. But I wanted to try something new, how would it fare alongside a beautifully cooked fillet steak, with juicy tomatoes and Parmigiano Reggiano roasted potatoes. And of course, Parma ham from the same region. Unsurprisingly, it uplifted the classic steak and chips to a new level, feeling like an indulgent date night dish, or one to try at the weekend or special occasion. 

If you aren’t already familiar, Parmigiano Reggiano is a traditional cheese dating back hundreds of years. But it was in 2008 that the European courts decreed that it is the only cheese legally allowed to be called Parmesan, down to it’s DPO status and Parma-Reggio origin. From the cheesemaker right through to the delis, the famous cheese is said to be “made” not “produced.” The time and care taken to create such a distinct flavour shows too - I rarely add salt to any dishes when I know I’m using Parmigiano Reggiano as an ingredient, as the salty and piquant notes sing for themselves.

parmesan and sesame bites.

A little Christmas gift idea or perhaps as a festive snack for the family, these Parmesan and sesame bites are super easy to make and with only a few simple ingredients too. As part of a Christmas series with Parmigiano Reggiano, I'm embracing one of my favourite cheeses with three festive recipes. 

Parmigiano Reggiano is a hard, Italian cheese which has a PDO credentials. King of Cheeses, it's one of the world’s oldest and richest cheeses - still produced today as it was nine centuries ago. For hundreds of years, this very special product has only be allowed to be made in particular areas of Italy, with selected dairies and producers. The rules of cheese-making this way mean that it's always a high quality product which has a true ancient origin. The result is fantastic, I'm sure cheese lovers will agree.

parmesan rosti and poached eggs. (+ hamper giveaway)

I love a good brunch, especially on a lazy Winter weekend. So what better time than Christmas to plan an indulgent breakfast with a piping hot coffee and fresh orange juice. This homemade parmesan rosti recipe is made with Parmigiano Reggiano; a hard Italian cheese with a slightly salty, fruity and nutty aroma. It's perfect for adding a hint of something extra to a crisp potato rosti, which is perfectly complemented by an inviting poached egg with bright, runny yolk. 

Parmigiano Reggiano is a PDO product, exclusively produced in Parma, Modena and Reggio Emilia, on the plains, hills and mountains enclosed between the rivers Po and Reno. With nine centuries of excellence, the Parmigiano Reggiano is aged for its beautiful taste and distinctive crystals. It's delicious just sliced off and sampled on its own, but it really works for this recipe too. 

I've teamed with Parmigiano Reggiano to host a special Christmas hamper giveaway. Scroll down to read the recipe and how you could be in with a chance of winning...

parmesan, parsnip and brussels sprout gratin.

Add festive side dish to add to your repertoire; a beautifully golden gratin featuring Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, creamy parsnips and Brussels sprouts. Finished with crispy bacon lardons and breadcrumbs, this is a must-have for Christmas spread come December 25th. Parmigiano Reggiano has a striking saltiness that makes it perfect to add a new dimension of flavour and texture to gratins, as well as a natural seasoning. 

Known as the King of Cheeses, it's one of the world’s oldest and richest cheeses - still produced today as it was nine centuries ago. It has an exclusive P.D.O. protection, ensuring it can only be truly made in Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Bologna to the west of the Reno River and Mantua to the east of the Po River. Everyone will be a fan of Brussels sprouts this season once they've tried them with indulgent Parmesan cheese, a crunchy topping and scatterings of smoked lardons. Here's how...