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Radimonio: Pinzimonio with Radicchio Variegato

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How to prepare a Pinzimonio that no one can say no to? A cream of Radicchio Variegato di Castelfranco and grilled Parmigiano Reggiano rinds for a recipe that is also anti-waste.

Radimonio? A cream made with Radicchio Variegato to make Pinzimonio irresistible 

The journey to discover the products protected by the Consorzio Tutela del Radicchio di Treviso PGI and Radicchio Variegato di Castelfranco PGI, true ‘winter flowers‘ because of their splendid shape. To represent my region of origin, Emilia Romagna, and my family tradition, that of Parmigiano Reggiano production, I thought of a custom of peasant cuisine that I have always loved because it is an expression of respect for food and the commitment behind its preparation: the use of grilled Parmigiano Reggiano rinds.

All the work behind Radicchio made me inevitably associate it with the product my family has always been dedicated to. Radicchio is marked by long waits in the countryside and Parmesan cheese has to wait years for nature to take its course to give us unique and unrepeatable flavours. That is why I believe it is a crime to waste even a small part of the product, and farming culture teaches us never to do so.

A modern interpretation thus inspired me to come up with a way to enjoy a truly unusual snack or aperitif because it sees Radicchio variegato, normally eaten raw, cooked for a few minutes in a pan and a ‘scrap’ of cheese turned into a very tasty crunchy stick to scoop up a cream that also carries the aromatic note of another great product of the Veneto region, Recioto wine. Furthermore, the blade-shaped leaves of late Radicchio are ideal to complete the tasting experience.

Trying is believing.

What Radicchio Variegato di Castelfranco PGI looks like

Il radicchio variegato di Castelfranco

Radicchio Variegato di Castelfranco: a beautiful rose

Its beautiful rose shape and the play of colours of its leaves makes us associate it with a very special flower because it blooms when others are asleep, i.e. in winter. Its origin is a hybrid between radicchio and escarole from which Variegato takes a combination of characteristics.

The product bears the name of the town where the country culture of its cultivation is rooted in the history of a plain characterised by long, harsh winters during which families found shelter from the cold by gathering in the stables. It was in the stables, protected by straw, that chicories were stored to protect them from frost and, as often happens, an extraordinary method was discovered to make the plants even tastier: the forcing technique.

What is the forcing technique?

This is the technique whereby the plants are left in the dark (in ancient times under straw, today under special cloths) so that they lose their chlorophyll, the whitening process we also saw in Radicchio Tardivo. In addition to taking on their unmistakable colour, the bitter taste of the chicories fades and the leaves acquire an extraordinary crunchiness.

To enjoy Radicchio Tardivo in a slightly unusual way, try the Strozzapreti with Radicchio and pumpkin fondue.

Radimonio, my Pinzimonio with a Radicchio Variegato dip

2.2g carbohydrates per 100g

Ingredients for 4 servings

  • 300g Radicchio variegato di Castelfranco PGI
  • 150g Crescenza cheese (I used goat’s milk cheese)
  • 100g shallot
  • 50g Recioto wine
  • 1 clove garlic
  • rinds of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
  • leaves of Radicchio di Treviso tardivo
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • pepper
  • salt

Preparation

  1. Cut the shallot into thin slices and sweat it slowly in a pan with a little extra virgin olive oil for about 10 minutes.
  2. Wash the radicchio, cut it into strips and add it to the shallots. Cook it for a few minutes over high heat while continuing to stir it with a wooden spoon. Douse Radicchio with the Recioto wine and end cooking without allowing the Radicchio to dry out too much: overall cook for about 6-7 minutes.
  3. Transfer the Radicchio into a blender or food processor, blend it to a cream, add the Crescenza cheese and blend again to make the mixture smooth and even. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Take the Parmsan rinds remaining after eating up the cheese, scrape them with a knife to clean the outside. I like to leave them slightly thick, about 5mm, so that the inside is also slightly softer.
  5. Place a grill on the stove and heat it up to a high temperature; lay the Parmesan rinds on it and grill them on both sides until they acquire a dark golden-brown colour.
  6. Place the cream in a bowl and serve it with the warm rinds and the Radicchio tardivo leaves, both of which can be used as ‘spoons’ to scoop up the Radicchio cream.
Radimonio con croste di parmigiano grigliate e radicchio tardivo

Radimonio with grilled Parmesan rinds and Radicchio tardivo

Version with gluten of Radimonio

The recipe contains only naturally gluten-free ingredients, so no adaptation is necessary for its version with gluten.

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Pork loin with herb flavoured mango

Pork loin is one of the leanest and least expensive cuts of meat we find in butcher shops in our country since it is not very often used to make charcuterie and considering that traditional charcuterie production requires high quality meats, Pork loin with herb flavoured mango becomes an affordable and very quick gourmet dish.

I have revealed why pork loin is an interesting choice: lean, convenient, good and, for our needs, it is (like all meats) carbohydrate and gluten free. The key thing is to treat loin in such a way that it retains all its juiciness, so remember three important steps:

  1. give aromas and flavours through a good maceration,
  2. cook it for a short time,
  3. let it rest wrapped in aluminium foil to allow the liquids in the meat to balance through the piece.

The cooking sauce made from apple cider is a pleasant surprise, but if you do not have this ingredient on hand, you can opt for a Marsala wine that will be a perfect alternative.

In this recipe, the pork loin is accompanied by another juicy and fragrant ingredient: mango with aromatic herbs, a source of carbohydrates and vitamins, as well as the exotic touch of its flavour. So enjoy this autumn recipe, which will be ready to be served at noon or dinner in about 30 minutes.

Pork loin with herb flavoured mango   

15g carbohydrate per 100g mango

negligible carbohydrates in pork loin  

 Ingredients

  • 700g pork loin
  • 500g mango already cleaned, pulp to be cut into pieces
  • 200g apple cider
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 bunch of chives
  • 1 bunch of basil
  • 1 red chilli pepper
  • 1 bunch of cilantro
  • ½ lime
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • salt and peppercorns

Preparation

  1. Macerate the pork loin with sliced garlic, a few basil leaves, a few crushed peppercorns, a drizzle of oil and cider. Marinate for at least 1 hour, turning the meat occasionally.
  2. Peel the mango and cut the flesh into cubes, removing the large central core. Chop up a small bunch of cilantro, some chives and basil and add everthing to the mango in a bowl, as well as a pinch of salt, sliced chilli, grated lime zest and lime juice. Let the meat marinate.
  3. Heat a little oil in a frying pan and brown the loin drained from the marinade; season with salt, cover with a lid and cook over a high heat for 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally and basting with the cider marinade. When the loin is cooked, place it to rest in aluminium foil for 10 minutes before cutting it. In the meantime, possibly thicken the cooking juices. Slice the loin and serve it accompanied by the cooking juices and marinated mango.
Lonza di maiale con mango alle erbe

Slices of pork loin served with herb flavoured mango

Version with gluten of Pork loin with herb flavoured mango

The recipe contains only naturally gluten-free ingredients,  so no adaptation is necessary for its version with gluten.

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