Love eating Italian cheese? Read this before your next trip to the grocery store.
“Don’t overlook Grana Padano,” says Meryl Feinstein, founder of Pasta Social Club.
Meryl Feinstein, the pasta-making professional behind the popular Instagram account @pastasocialclub, doesn’t mess around when it comes to her Italian comfort food or cheese picks. Below is a list of her top shopping tips for selecting the best cheeses.
Meryl Feinstein’s Top 4 Cheese Shopping Tips
- When possible, buy cheese in blocks or wedges as opposed to pre-shredded.
- Look out for signature branding on the cheese rind—there is a lot of ambiguous terminology when it comes to Parmigiano Reggiano, and the rind is a good way to check that you’re getting the right stuff.
- To get the most bang for your buck, save your rinds! It’s a great way to infuse rich, umami flavor into soups, broths, and sauces. Just be sure to grate off the exterior of the rind to remove any impurities before adding to your dish.
- It’s easy to always reach for the King of Cheese, but don’t overlook Grana Padano! It has a similar flavor profile as Parmigiano Reggiano but is slightly milder.
