Parmesan

And you never saw me take snuff, the reason being that in my snuff-box I carry a piece of Parmesan cheese--a cheese made in Italy, very nutritious.

Besides this, it was he who tasted the macaroni, to maintain the pure flavor of the ancient tradition; and it must be allowed that he never permitted a grain of pepper too much, or an atom of parmesan too little.

Serve with lemon wedges and the remaining grated Parmesan. Recipe from The 7-Day Basket by Ian Haste, published by Headline, PS25

TOMATO, MOZZARELLA AND BASIL PUFF PASTRY TART Ingredients Serves 4 500g mixed tomatoes 1 x 320-350g sheet ready-rolled all-butter puff pastry 1 medium egg, beaten 25g finely grated Parmesan cheese, vegetarian, preferred 1 buffalo mozzarella cheese, drained then torn into small pieces 2tbsp olive oil 1 garlic clove, crushed A small handful small, fresh basil leaves Sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper Directions Preheat the oven to 220C fan/200C/gas 7.

INGREDIENTS: (serves 2) 2 chicken breasts, chopped; 1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed; 15g basil leaves, finely chopped; 20g chives; 80g feta; 1/2 slice of wholemeal bread; 4tsp olive oil, plus a splash for the spaghetti; 200g spaghetti; juice of 3/4 lemon; 30g Parmesan cheese, grated; 1/2 lemon, cut into wedges; salt and pepper METHOD: 1.

INGREDIENTS (Serves 4) 12 cannelloni tubes 150g mozzarella cheese, grated 4tbsp grated Parmesan cheese For the sauce: 1tbsp olive oil 1 onion, finely chopped 1 garlic clove, crushed 700g passata Small handful of basil leaves For the filling: 300g spinach 500g ricotta cheese 4tbsp grated Parmesan cheese 1 egg, beaten Pinch of ground nutmeg Salt and freshly ground black pepper METHOD 1.

Sea food and a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese could easily be another.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED Serves 4 2 cloves sliced fresh garlic 300g beef of your choice (sirloin, frying steaks, fillet) 2 diced peppers 1 large diced white onion 4tsp blackened Cajun seasoning 2 thinly sliced fresh chillies 300ml whipping cream 600ml Napoli sauce Salt and pepper Parmesan 400g pasta (dried or fresh) WHAT TO DO Slice your beef into thin strips, put in a bowl add a splash of oil, add your sliced garlic, Cajun spices, pinch of salt and pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Dig out a red pepper, linguine, walnuts, garlic and parmesan to make this quick and easy supper.

2 heads garlic Extra virgin olive oil 1 medium-size white onion, peeled, halved and root-end just barely trimmed so the layers remain together 1 Parmesan rind 3 sprigs thyme 21/2 teaspoons fine-grain sea salt 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar Freshly ground black pepper, for serving Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish Slices of crusty bread, for serving (optional) METHOD 1.

At this time of year however I think serving it with comforting buttery Parmesan polenta hits the mark.

Miso, salt, honey and chilli flakes, to garnish For Parmesan cream: