Parmigiano Regianno With Fruit and Aged Balsamic

Submitted by COOKGIRl

"From Rick Tramonto's "Osteria". Use the best quality ingredients you can afford. *Please* don't use that pre-grated cheese stuff. No, no!"

 

• Ready In: 15mins
• Ingredients: 9
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 1 granny smith apple, cored, unpeeled
• 1 firm pear, cored, unpeeled
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
• 6 -8 ounces parmigiano-reggiano cheese
• 1 tablespoon fresh basil, thinly sliced (fresh *only*!)
• 1 tablespoon aged dark balsamic vinegar
• mixed greens (optional)

directions

1. Note: if you wish, line the salad plates with mixed greens.
2. Cut the apple and pear into thin matchsticks.
3. Place the fruit in a bowl and add the olive oil and lemon juice. Toss to coat.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Divide the fruit mixture onto 4 salad plates.
6. Break the cheese into about 8-12 equal chunks.
7. For each salad plate, place 2-3 chunks of the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
8. Garnish with the fresh basil.
9. Drizzle the vinegar around the cheese, then sprinkle salad lightly with cracked black pepper.
10. Serve at room temperature.

Reviews

[sheepdoc]

A very different and tasty way to eat fruit. I used a backyard red apple of unknown variety. Made for CQ 14.

 

[evelynathens]

Wow! Perfect combination of flavours - how can you go wrong with Parmesan and good fruit?

 

[KateL]

The flavor combinations were terrific! The balsamic vinegar made it a little messy; my step-daughter recommending reducing the balsamic vinegar to a glaze. We also thought it would be easier to eat if the fruit was not cut in matchstick slices; the pear fell apart too easily. This recipe, of course, requires a very high quality aged balsamic vinegar and very good quality Parmigiano Reggiano. Thank you for sharing this recipe! Made for Culinary Quest.