6 Delicious Substitutes for Romano Cheese
- Dietitian.Lauren Hmede
- Aug 19, 2019
- 3 min read
Romano is a hard cheese with a crystalline texture and nutty, umami flavor. It’s named after Rome, its city of origin.
Pecorino Romano is the traditional type of Romano and has Denominazione di Origine Protetta(“Protected Designation of Origin,” or DOP) status in the European Union. Only cheese that meets certain standards can be considered Pecorino Romano.
True Pecorino Romano must adhere to certain production methods, be made from sheep’s milk, and produced in Italy in either Lazio, Grosseto, or Sardinia.
However, cheeses labeled “Romano” alone do not have to meet these standards. In the United States, Romano is often made from cow’s milk and has a slightly less tangy flavor.
While tasty when grated onto pasta or baked into savory pastries, Romano can be expensive and difficult to find.
Below are 6 delicious substitutes for Romano cheese in cooking and baking.
1. Parmesan
Parmesan cheese’s texture and nutty, sharp flavor are similar to those of Romano. It can be substituted in recipes at a 1:1 ratio, though you may need to add salt.
2. Grana Padano
Grana Padano is an aged cow’s-milk cheese that’s slightly sweeter than Romano. As it has a similar texture and rich, nutty flavor, it can be substituted at a 1:1 ratio.
3. Piave
Often compared to Parmesan, Piave cheese has a full-bodied and slightly sweet flavor. While less salty than Romano, it can be substituted in recipes at a 1:1 ratio.
4. Asiago
Asiago has a sharper, nuttier flavor than that of Romano but is less tangy. While it grates well, it’s slightly softer and can be enjoyed on foods or by itself. In recipes, grated Asiago can be substituted at a 1:1 ratio.
5. Spanish Manchego
Spanish Manchego is a sheep’s-milk cheese with a sharp, slightly sweet flavor. To use it as a substitute in recipes, use aged Manchego cheese for a more similar texture and flavor at a 1:1 ratio.
6. Nondairy Romano cheese alternatives
Whether you’re vegan or allergic to dairy, you can still enjoy flavors similar to those of Romano cheese.
There are two typical substitutes to choose from — nutritional yeast or store-bought cheese alternatives.
Nutritional yeast
It is a species of yeast grown specifically to be a food product.
It has a cheesy, savory flavor and contains all nine essential amino acids, as well as certain vitamins.
When fortified, nutritional yeast can be especially rich in B-vitamins, including B-12, which vegan diet often lack. You can purchase it as flakes, powder, or granules.
Nutritional yeast is suitable to sprinkle over food, as it has a nutty, umami flavor that replicates the taste of Romano cheese well.
As the flavor of nutritional yeast can be strong, you usually need only half the amount of nutritional yeast as you would Romano.
To replicate the more nutty, buttery flavor of Romano cheese, nutritional yeast can be combined with cashews for a homemade vegan alternative.
Here is a basic recipe to make your own vegan Romano:
3/4 cup (115 grams) of raw cashews
4 tablespoons (20 grams) of nutritional yeast
3/4 teaspoon of sea salt
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon of onion powder
Instructions:
Place all ingredients in a food processor.Pulse until the mixture is a fine meal texture.Use immediately, or store in an airtight container in your fridge for up to two months.
Be sure to only process the mixture until it forms a fine crumb. If you mix it beyond that, the oils from the cashews will add moisture and form clumps.
Store-bought Romano cheese alternatives
Many brands offer alternatives to Parmesan cheese. It’s important to thoroughly read labels before buying to check for any potential food allergies. If you are dairy-free or vegan, avoid products containing casein.
Sources:
Commentaires