According to legend, Parmigiano Reggiano was created in the course of the Middle Ages in Bibbiano, in the province of Reggio Emilia. Its production soon spread to the Parma and Modena areas. Historical documents show that in the 13th-14th century Parmigiano was already very similar to that produced today which suggests that its origins can be traced to far earlier.
It was praised as early as 1348 in the writings of Boccaccio, in the Decameron, he invents a mountain, all of grated Parmesan cheese, on which dwell folk that do nought else but make macaroni and ravioli, and boil them in capon's broth, and then throw them down to be scrambled for, and hard by flows a rivulet of Vernaccia, the best that ever was drunk, and never a drop of water therein.
During the Great Fire of London of 1666, Samuel Pepys buried his Parmazan cheese, as well as his wine and some other things in order to preserve them.
In the memoirs of Giacomo Casanova, he remarked that the name "Parmesan" was a misnomer in his time (mid-18th century) as the cheese was produced in the town of Lodi, not Parma. This comment originates probably from the fact that a grana cheese very similar to the "Parmigiano", the Grana Padano, is produced in the Lodi area.
By http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parmigiano-Reggiano#History
Parmesan Garlic Mash Potatoes
Copyright 2011 Christine's Pantry. All rights reserved.
Ingredients:
2 pounds potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon garlic powder
6 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon pepper
1/4 cup grated parmesan
1/4 cup sour cream
Directions:
Cook potatoes in large pot of salted water, bring to a boil. Cook until potatoes are fork tender. About 20 minutes. Drain well. In a large bowl, add potatoes and mash. Add milk, butter, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Mix well. Fold in parmesan and sour cream.Taste and adjust seasoning, if desired. Enjoy!
I top all of my meals with parmesan. I love the flavor.
ReplyDeleteyummy, like real grated parmesan cheese, they can keep the green container.......andi
ReplyDeleteGreat story.Had no idea that parmesan is so old:) And putting it in the potato mash is tasty:)
ReplyDeleteI love everything that has garlic in it! Yum!
ReplyDeleteFabulous flavoring for potatoes my favorite way to eat them~
ReplyDeleteDelicious!
ReplyDeleteI think Samuel Pepys must be a distant relative - I likely would have done the very same thing - to both the cheese and the wine.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the story - I just love that about your site!
Parmesan and Garlic.. What a perfect combo with mashed potatoes. I could eat a whole bowl. Mmmmm!
ReplyDeleteI am crazy about Parmesan cheese. To me it is the undisputed king of all cheeses!
ReplyDeleteI like this so much Christine, potatoes and cheese and how not to drool.
ReplyDeleteI love the parmesan-garlic combo ! Really good with some roast chicken :)
ReplyDeleteYum combination of potatoes with parmesan and garlic..superb!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds amazing! I love garlic mashed potatoes, I've just never added any type of cheese to them, which is crazy I know! Thanks for the cheese awakening :)
ReplyDeletethis look yummy!
ReplyDeleteYou have a very delicious mashed potato recipes here! I love the addition of parmesan and garlic into your mashed potatoes!
ReplyDeleteThese look awesome, definitely planning on whipping these up this week.
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone! I appreciate your comments.
ReplyDeleteReal Parmesan is so much better. You get what you pay for. I'm looking forward to trying this.
ReplyDeleteReal Parmesan is much better then what you get in the green can.
ReplyDeleteflavourful potatoes looks wonderful
ReplyDeleteSuper easy and seems delicious with sour cream and Parmesan cheese.
ReplyDeleteI'll eat parmesan on basically anything so I'm pretty sure it would be delicious in mashed potatoes.
ReplyDeleteAnother very informative history lesson! And parm/garlic potatoes? I could eat them with EVERY meal!
ReplyDeleteI love parmesan...and on mashed potatoes is a great place for it :)
ReplyDeleteMmmm this sounds amazing! Love the history too :) Garlic + Parmesan = Love!!
ReplyDeleteParmesan is my cheese of cheeses. I've never laced mashed potato with it, but hey, why not!!
ReplyDeleteI love mashed potatoes with garlic!! I ussually add cream cheese to mine to make them even creamier. Love the use of Parmesan!
ReplyDeleteWhat doesn't Parmesan cheese taste good on? Thanks for sharing and an interesting fact about it as well! :)
ReplyDeleteYum-garlic and cheese, I will gladly eat these. Beats plain any day!
ReplyDeleteGreat mashed potato recipe! I'm always looking for ways to change mine up. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteThis looks great! I've done garlic mashed potatoes but never added parmesan. Great idea!
ReplyDelete