SavorThree Delicious Dishes Highlighting Pecorino Romano PDO Cheese

In the bustling world of haute cuisine, a humble Italian cheese has taken centre stage, elevating dishes to new heights of flavour. Pecorino Romano PDO, a protected designation of origin product from Italy, has been making waves in the culinary scene, thanks to its versatility and rich, nutty taste.

Let's start with Chef Chris McDade's recommendation from Popina - a dish that boasts a creamy sauce and the savoury, nutty flavour of Pecorino Romano PDO. The traditional pasta dish, Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe, hails from Rome, and its ingredients are simple yet effective: 12 ounces of spaghetti, 6 ounces of Pecorino Romano PDO, and black pepper to taste. The method involves boiling pasta in starchy water, toasting black pepper, and combining with cheese and pasta water to create a creamy sauce.

Moving on to Chef Fabian Hernandez Blanco's creations at Osteria Langhe, we find a first course dish that pairs Pecorino Romano PDO with seared pork belly, mushrooms, peas, and risotto. The risotto is cooked in a medium pot over medium-high heat, with ingredients including 1 cup of risotto rice, 3 cups of chicken stock, 1/2 cup of shaved Pecorino Romano PDO, and 1 cup of heavy cream. The method involves sautéing rice with mushrooms, adding wine, heavy cream, and chicken stock, and stirring until the rice is soft and bathed in a silky, flavourful sauce.

In a different vein, Chef Jamie Kembrey of Ivory Pearl uses Kewpie mayonnaise, colatura di alici, and Pecorino Romano PDO in the Caesar dressing for a dish that features broccolini, caulilini, seared pork belly, and peas. The tangy, sprightly flavour of Pecorino Romano PDO is the perfect counterpoint to the truffle-haunted dressing, creating an elevated vegetable dish that's sure to impress.

Last but not least, we have a dish that's a twist on the classic Caesar salad. Chef Kembrey's version includes colatura di alici, Dijon mustard, EVOO, Urbani Brand white truffle and porcini sauce, Urbani Brand white truffle oil, white pepper powder, ground pink peppercorns, fresh lemon juice, Kewpie mayo, and Pecorino Romano PDO for garnish. This dish is a testament to the versatility of Pecorino Romano PDO, proving that it can be just as at home in a salad as it is in a risotto or pasta dish.

All these dishes are funded by the European Union, a testament to the organisation's commitment to supporting culinary innovation and preserving traditional recipes. So, whether you're a fan of risotto, pasta, or salad, there's a Pecorino Romano PDO-infused dish out there that's sure to tantalise your taste buds. Bon appétit!