The Savoury Power of Parmesan in a Fresh Green Dressing

This salad’s dressing owes much of its savoury depth and “can’t-stop-eating-it” quality to one key ingredient: parmesan cheese. While the coriander provides freshness, it’s the parmesan that grounds the sauce with a rich, salty, and umami-packed flavour.
When blended into the dressing, the 20g of parmesan dissolves into the mixture, infusing it with its signature nutty and complex taste. It provides a crucial savoury counterpoint to the zesty lemon and bright coriander, creating a perfectly balanced and well-rounded flavour profile.
The cheese also contributes to the dressing’s texture, helping to thicken it and give it more body. For those making the vegetarian version, the recipe wisely suggests using a vegetarian-friendly parmesan alternative to ensure that this essential umami element is not lost.
This clever use of parmesan showcases its versatility. It’s not just for grating over pasta; it’s a powerful flavour enhancer that can add an incredible savoury dimension to sauces, dressings, and pestos.