Manchego

My obsession with all things Spanish is no secret. From José Andrés to Crianza to paella, if it's Spanish, I love it! This affection includes manchego, Spain's most famous cheese. Manchego cheese is protected by a Denominación de Origen, meaning it can only be made from sheep that graze in the La Mancha region of Spain. The whole sheep's milk cheese must also be aged in natural caves for a minimum of two months.

Depending on how long it's aged, the flavor can range from mild to sharp. Manchego comes in a round shape and is cut into chunky wedges. The inedible rind gets its pattern from the manufacturing process that involves wrapping the cheese in sheets of a special woven grass. Manchego tastes creamy and slightly salty. Learn how to use the versatile Spanish cheese and check out the recipe for this scrumptious pizza when you read more

I love sandwiches born out of serendipity — when a handful of ingredients you happen to have on hand comes together in perfect combination. Sometimes, you enjoy them just once, but often, these spur-of-the-moment creations become sandwiches you make again and again. Such is the case with this turkey sandwich, served on rustic Italian bread I bought to serve with soup, manchego cheese leftover from a dinner party, and some pear butter homemade by a fellow Sugar staffer. Turkey is my go-to sandwich protein, from my daily turkey delights to more clever and decadent creations. So I'm always looking for creative twists on the basic turkey sammie. Since manchego cheese is often served with quince paste to complement its sharp, salty flavor, I paired it with the sweet, spiced pear butter. If you're not lucky enough to have homemade pear butter on hand, apple butter is just as tasty. Slightly bitter watercress makes a great green garnish against the hearty bread. To get the recipe, read more

Who says broccoli has to be boring? Broccoli is a vegetable whose brilliant color brightens any dinner plate. Instead of sautéing broccoli on the stove, roast it in the oven for a caramelized, delicious flavor. Tossed with olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes this manchego topped broccoli dish is simple to make and scrumptious to eat. Pair with a holiday roast beef, pork tenderloin or chicken. To get the recipe please, read more