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Just The Facts: Mascarpone

Mascarpone is an easily spreadable Italian double- or triple-cream cheese and the main ingredient in tiramisu. The texture resembles sticky pudding or room-temperature butter. In case you were wondering, the correct pronunciation is mas-car-POH-nay. Even top chefs are known to mispronounce. Although mascarpone is often described as a curd cheese, it's technically not a cheese at all. It's actually made in much the same manner as a yogurt, with a culture.

So delicate and creamy, mascarpone needs little garnishing to be fully enjoyed. Take pleasure in a mascarpone dessert topped with sliced strawberries and chocolate shavings. For a sweet surprise, simply mix it into your hot cocoa and coffee instead of cream. For more savory preparations, spoon mascarpone onto hot pasta tossed with sautéed mushrooms and grated Parmesan. Or mix it with chopped herbs and spices and enjoy with toasted baguettes. For total indulgence, pair your mascarpone creations with Port, Champagne or a snifter of Brandy.