2.2 lbs of cheese - now what?

[lucyem]

My sister sent us 2.2 pounds of parmigiano reggiano cheese. What does one do with this type of cheese? I am clueless. To top it off my DS has an anaphylactic dairy allergy. The product description says we can grate it. Thats a whole lot of pasta

[Laggie]

Well, it lasts pretty much forever, but that is an awful lot of cheese if you don't usually eat it. I have tons of recipes that call for parmesan (mostly casseroles) but yes, the standard use is grated over pasta.

[anj_rn]

I use it for baked ziti, in my lasagne, and on top of chicken parmesan. It is also good in omelets and quiche. However, if your son has an anaphylactic dairy allergy, you may consider donating it to the local fire house. They cook in bulk and would really appreciate it. (Not to mention they are the ones who come if you call 911).

[miss_sonja]

Store it in the freezer. cut off a small chunk and grate it.

Or, give it to a friend who likes parmesan, if the allergy is that serious. That's good cheese, should have a happy home.

[doubledutch]

mmmmmmmmmmmmmm i would buy some good cream, invite some girlfriend over, and make the most perverse alfredo sauce of all time (if i could eat that without ds wanting it terribly badly and/or accidentally eating it).

[amma_mama]

One of my favorites! Yes, you can grate/shred it over just about anything (pasta, veggies, etc.). You can also eat in chunks - very yummy when paired with pears or apples for "dessert", Italian-style...it is also the quickest way to "dispose" of the allergen...

[ProtoLawyer]

Mail some to me.

A good, real parmigiano reggiano can be eaten by itself, in small chunks or slices...with bread or wine.

I'd shave it over a salad--maybe something simple, like greens/grape tomatoes/cucumbers/olives/balsamic vinegar.

Risotto comes to mind.

The rind can be frozen and later used to flavor soups or stews, but given your son's allergy, that's probably not as feasible for you (as I'd imagine he'd be more interested in eating a soup than eating a chunk of cheese with a glass of wine).

[Penelope]

Given the dairy allergy - maybe you have a friend who is up for a Christmas edibles swap? I'd trade two bottles of good wine for that cheese!

[weliveintheforest]

mmm that is good cheese! It wouldn't keep that long here, but it can last months. Just cut off any mold that comes along. You can also grate the whole thing and freeze it grated.

[MadiMamacita]

if you shred it you can make some yummy little crunchy snacks with it
sprinkle little piles of the shreds into a hot frying pan when it melts and gets brown on one side, flip it. let them sit on a paper towel to drain off the extra oil.
i have also had something like this at a restaurant on top of a ceasar salad- it looked like a big crunchy snowflake.

[annekevdbroek]

I'd make alfredo sauce too.

However, if I had a kiddo with a life threatening dairy allergy I'd probably give it to someone (assuming you keep all dairy out of the house).

You can take the rinds and cook them in vegetable soup for flavor.

[KatWrangler]

Originally Posted by anj_rn

I use it for baked ziti, in my lasagne, and on top of chicken parmesan. It is also good in omelets and quiche. However, if your son has an anaphylactic dairy allergy, you may consider donating it to the local fire house. They cook in bulk and would really appreciate it. (Not to mention they are the ones who come if you call 911).

OMG this. I say get it out of your house. Uh, OP what was your sister thinking?

[GuildJenn]

I agree about getting rid of it but YUM it is SO GOOD in risotto.

[Purple*Lotus]

Originally Posted by MadiMamacita

if you shred it you can make some yummy little crunchy snacks with it
sprinkle little piles of the shreds into a hot frying pan when it melts and gets brown on one side, flip it. let them sit on a paper towel to drain off the extra oil.
i have also had something like this at a restaurant on top of a ceasar salad- it looked like a big crunchy snowflake.

Yep, this was the ONLY thing my STBX was good for He made those all the time for me

[annettemarie]

Moving to Nutrition and Good Eating

[Magelet]

I agree that perhaps its not a good thing to have in your house with your son's allergy.

However, I love that cheese. (and its super nutritious, made from cows eating rapidly growing grass, which is the most nutritious milk). I use it for the most part grated over pasta (in pretty large quantities lol, it would go fast).

I also love it shaved in various salads (raw fennel and asparagus with lemon dressing is amazing! as well as ceasar and others), thin slices by itself or with fruit, grated into cream over heat to make a lovely cream sauce, scrambled eggs with chedder and parmisagn, sauted onions and spinach is possibly the best scrambled eggs ever (the two cheeses provide a lovely taste).

[lucyem]

I spoke to the company my sister got it from. They said no freezing and I have to eat it all in 2 months. Already grated has to be finished in a couple of days.