Thoughts and Tips on Parmesan Cheese

I love Parmesan cheese and like to keep it in the house at all times. It's so easy to make some pasta, toss it with butter, salt, and pepper, and then add some Parmesan and you've got a great dish! (I have to confess I did not think of this concoction myself but was introduced to it by my friend Michelle!) I have since made some tweaks to this original recipe and added sauteed garlic and red pepper flakes for a kick. Remember the dish is only as good as its ingredients. I like to buy my Parmesan in wedges so I can grate it myself. Then you can really get that fresh taste. Look for wedges that are light colored and still somewhat soft to the touch. The harder Parmesan is the darker color it will be and the harder to grate. When you can see wedges with darker edges, that means that portion has lost some moisture and is harder than the lighter portion. Remember you can also use Parmesan in sauces or just cut a chuck and nibble on it with crackers. Yum!