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by Rachel Phipps

Three ingredients, three steps to a speedy midweek supper of trendy cacio e pepe (‘cheese and pepper’). Tangy pecorino cheese combines with the pasta cooking water to make a creamy sauce that clings to the pasta.

Main course

Buyer's guide

Pecorino Romano is the most common type of pecorino. Fiore Sardo is a variety of pecorino from Sardinia, made using a rennet derived from wild flowers. The aromatic Pecorino delle Crete Senesi comes from Tuscany, and is coated with tomato paste; Pecorino Toscano is a milder, tomato-less version. Pecorino Siciliano Canestrato comes in various forms, including the fresh Tuma, a half-ripened version (called Primusali), and a mature one suitable for grating. Pecorino dolce is a lightly salted example of the cheese, and is usually eaten fresh.

Preparation

Aged pecorinos are suitable for grating over pasta, soups and other hot dishes.