Discover Provolone Valpadana DOP: how to create new combinations
Bring Provolone Valpadana DOP to the table combined with other ingredients
Why pair a cheese?
To surprise, enliven a dish, or enhance the flavor of the cheese itself or the associated ingredient.
And, let's face it, also to entertain our palate by trying to find the perfect combination.
But like any self-respecting “marriage”, the one between cheese and other elements is also based on different types of agreements, let's look at them together:
Pairing with cheese: a harmonious match
The philosophy behind this reasoning is similar to that of colors, it is about combining similar or “reminiscent” flavors, with equal intensity of flavors and aromas. In the case ofcheese and wine pairing, for example, delicate wines would be paired with delicate cheeses and strong wines with savoury, mature cheeses.
Pairing with cheese: contrasting agreement
In this case the play is on the contrasts sweet/bitter or sweet/salty or sour/sweet, therefore the juxtaposition of opposite flavours.
Pairing with cheese: a synergic agreement
This type of pairing consists of identifying the general characteristics of a cheese and pairing them with another element with the same characteristics: for example, a cheese with an intense flavor and a slightly bitter note with an equally intense and slightly bitter food. Certainly one of the most sophisticated and difficult pairings to achieve.
But let's get to the practical and more delicious part, we want to show you some examples of ingredients that go well with cheese, more specifically with our types of Provolone Valpadana DOP.
We will give you examples of the most classic combinations, or in some cases the most unusual combinations with cheese, that you would never have thought of, which will instead reveal themselves to be a real explosion of taste.
Cheese and pear pairing
Let's start with one of the most classic combinations.
After all, who doesn't know the saying "Don't let the farmer know how good cheese is with pears”?!
Definitely a sweet/savoury contrasting pairing, thanks to the sugary juiciness of the pears and the savory voluptuousness of the cheese. To be enjoyed in all its simplicity or thanks to some more elaborate dish.
Given the arrival of the warm season we want to offer you a fresh and light recipe and at the same time appetizing. Rocket, pears, walnuts and Provolone Valpadana DOP in its spicy version.
Check out the recipe to bring it to the tablerocket, pear and walnut salad with spicy Provolone Valpadana D.OP..
A top tip from Provolone Valpadana: use Williams Pears for your salad, juicy, soft and sugary.
Rocket, pear and walnut salad with spicy Provolone Valpadana DOP
Cheese and Balsamic Vinegar Pairing
After mentioning the very fresh rocket salad with pears, walnuts and Provolone Valpadana, it goes without saying to continue with a dressing that gives flavor and character even to the simplest dishes: Balsamic Vinegar.
Have you ever tried it glazed? You could serve it on medallions of grilled sweet Provolone Valpadana DOP.
A top tip from Provolone Valpadana: use Aged Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI (at least 3 years) for mature cheeses with an intense flavour, while for those with a lighter flavour use the younger one which can have an aging period ranging from 60 days to 3 years.
Cheese and caramelized onion pairing
We continue with a super enveloping wedding between Provolone Valpadana DOP in the sweet version and caramelized onion.
Even if you want to keep things simple, you can always serve it in cubes and a few spoonfuls of caramelized onion jam, it will still be a very tasty appetizer, appreciated and easy to prepare.
For a more elaborate proposal, we propose our Gourmet Ancient Grain Pizza with sweet Provolone Valpadana DOP, tuna, caramelized onion and thyme.
Tuna, cheese and onion, a combination that perhaps you would never have guessed but absolutely harmonious: try it and believe it.
See the recipe for Gourmet pizza made with ancient grains with sweet Provolone Valpadana DOP, tuna, caramelized onion and thyme.
A top tip from Provolone Valpadana: use the IGP Tropea Calabria Red Onion, with an intense but sweet flavour at the same time.
Gourmet pizza made with ancient grains with sweet Provolone Valpadana DOP, tuna, caramelized onion and thyme
Cheese and Chocolate Pairing
When it comes to delicious combinations, one cannot help but mention his majesty chocolate.
We had already talked about it in a post dedicated to a spicy themed evening with Provolone Valpadana DOP.
The idea was to serve, at the end of the dinner, some spicy Provolone Valpadana flakes, with dark chocolate and fresh red fruits.
This is because we know that the contrast between the enveloping and spicy flavour of the cheese, combined with the acidic notes of the fruit and the crunchy sweetness of the chocolate, give a sensual and delicious effect at the same time.
It's easy and effective; arrange the Provolone Valpadana flakes on a wooden cutting board, sprinkling the chocolate flakes and a generous handful of blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and other red fruits.
A top tip from Provolone Valpadana: if you use Modica PGI Chocolate, it tastes better! The “cold” processing method allows you to keep the natural principles that are usually lost in industrial production steps unaltered.
Cheese and Asparagus Pairing
Asparagus is a spring vegetable with many beneficial properties, including the ability to purify the body. The particular taste also varies according to the type: white asparagus is more delicate, green asparagus is sweeter and more pronounced.
The combination of cheese and asparagus is a winning one because of the particularity of the two ingredients that, when combined expertly, are able to caress the taste buds of each guest with style.
The choice of cheese to pair will also depend on how the asparagus is cooked; the crispier you like them, the softer we suggest the cheese.
In our recipe Asparagus with eggs and spicy provolone Valpadana DOP we simply recommend that you boil them and then sprinkle the flakes of Provolone Valpadana in its spicy version which gives a joyful tone to the sweet notes of the asparagus.
A top tip from Provolone Valpadana: for a more delicate version, choose Bassano DOP white asparagus.
Asparagus with eggs and spicy Provolone Valpadana DOP
Want to show us your creative and successful cheese pairings?
We look forward to hearing from you in the comments or on the social channels of Provolone Valpadana DOP
