When buying parmesan cheese, for the best flavor, purchase Parmigiano-Reggiano. Domestic parmesans are aged 12-14 months, but Parmigiano-Reggianos are aged 3-4 years, resulting in a more complex flavor and more granular texture. Look for the imported cheese in specialty cheese stores, Italian markets, and many supermarkets.

Paulette Mitchell, a culinary instructor, television personality, spokesperson, freelance food writer, and the award-winning author of 13 cookbooks, is known internationally for her quick-to-prepare recipes with gourmet flair. Paulette's most recently published cookbook is "The Complete 15-Minute Gourmet: Creative Cuisine Made Fast and Fresh." She is also the author of "A Beautiful Bowl of Soup" and "The Spirited Vegetarian," which was voted "Best Book in the World on Cooking with Wine" at the 2005 Gourmand World Media Awards. Paulette says that international travel is her favorite source of culinary inspiration.