Food - Drink
These Cheese Toppings Never Belong In A Pasta Salad
By SYLVIA TOMCZAK
While a mix of ingredients can give pasta salad pizzazz, certain additions can also be a pitfall. Depending on the variety, cheese can actually be one of those iffy ingredients.
The best options for pasta salad are typically either fresh or hard cheeses that are grated or shaved. Creamier cheeses like Robiola or Brie prove far too gooey for a pasta salad.
Even slightly firmer cheeses like Monterey Jack or Taleggio can present challenges. These softer selections risk sweating, which can lead to a less-than-aesthetic outcome.
Because they are very moist, fresh cheeses like mozzarella or feta lend both a soft bite and delicate richness to the dish, reducing the need for large amounts of dressing or oil.
While hard cheeses don't do much for texture, they infuse loads of funk and flavor into recipes. Look to Parmigiano Reggiano, Asiago, or Manchego viejo as sources of inspiration.