r/fromscratch • u/Illustrious_Lie3833 • 28d ago

This may be a 2 parter?

So I'm american and moved to New Zealand about 10 years ago.

I'm not the best cook. In fact I'm terrible. If I don't have a recipe assume it's maybeeeee edible- so my husband cooks.

But I love MasterChef Australia and it inspires me to try. (Here is were it's relevant to the group, I promise)

I wanted to make copy cat Alfredo from Olive Garden and I looked at all my local stores and no one has romano cheese, the one for that even listed it is outta stock.

So- what do I do. Keep in mind that in New Zealand the cheapest cheese is called everyday cheese, idk like edam? And 500g block is $8.

Does New Zealand just not think it's an important cheese to have? I'm confused 🤔

2nd question I feel I know the answer but back to the I suck part any recipes that copy Pillsbury? Surprisingly enough I miss it the most 😭

I'm new hope my post was ok 🤦🏼‍♀️

9 Upvotes

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10

u/Downtown_Confusion46 28d ago

Parm is similar enough to work. Romano is just a bit stronger tasting. You want something very dried and aged.

4

u/mr_heathcliffe 28d ago

Yes, the olive garden dupe recipe i have calls for equal amounts of Romano and parmesan and I just use all parmesan because it's always on hand and I'm too lazy to go to the store, lol

5

u/bright_shiny_day 28d ago

Kia ora! I'm not the expert on this but the good people at r/nzhomecooks may have all sorts of good advice.
Good luck and happy cooking x

6

u/mamoocando 28d ago

Where abouts are you in New Zealand and are you looking just for Romano or are you finding Pecorino Romano and thinking it's not the same? They are the same cheese. I believe the name Pecorino Romano means that it's been produced in a specific part of Italy so sometimes a similar cheese is made and it's called Romano style but it's the same thing (Italians might disagree) You're looking for a hard salty sheep's milk cheese with the name Romano in it.

Try asking the folks at the grocery store too, and try a specialty shop if you're in an area that has them.

0

u/Downtown_Confusion46 28d ago

Do you mean canned biscuits? I don’t like those but these biscuits are amazing and what I always make. https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/flaky-buttermilk-biscuits/

1

u/Illustrious_Lie3833 28d ago

Frankly I want the canned cinnamon roles 🤤 I feel like the ones I've found in nz are tougher than the super soft ones I'm looking for.

1

u/b0b0tempo 28d ago

Ina Garten's cinnamon buns recipe uses frozen puff pastry and is pretty easy.

https://barefootcontessa.com/recipes/easy-sticky-buns

1

u/weaverlorelei 24d ago

Do you have a Moore Wilson anywhere near by? I have gotten some great cheeses from them when visiting our daughter in Masterton