Parmesan

This hard cow’s milk cheese is widely used in Italian cooking, either grated and added to dishes or shaved to use as a garnish. Always buy parmesan in a chunk and grate it as you need it, rather than use ready-grated. Parmigiano Reggiano, from Parma in northern Italy, is widely regarded as the most superior variety. It is produced following strictly governed methods and the use of the name is restricted by law.