475259 Wed Jan 02 07:02:45 -0800 2008 22 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 3252920 Picked up some Jamon Iberico at my local cheese shop this weekend and I can now say I've been ruined for all other cured meats. Culatello, Schiacciata, Prosciutto, Speck - nothing can compare to the sheer pleasure of eating this ham. It's silky, a little funky, fatty, smooth, and completely awesome. Too bad it's also $24.50/1/4lb. I've gone through 5 slices and already need more. Wed Jan 02 07:02:46 -0800 2008 15217 gini 1 3252958 I hear you! I had a sample at my local cheese shop a few weeks ago and it totally knocked me out--really unusual and delicious. I thought it would be a richer version of prosciutto or serrano but it's completely unique. I'd already bought a bunch of pork products at that time so I didn't purchase any, but it may be time to take the splurge. It's worth it, and I think a little goes a long way. Wed Jan 02 07:21:19 -0800 2008 3252920 151349 tinarina 1 3253142 I did not need to know this! I do not need a new $100 per pound addiction. Wed Jan 02 08:30:05 -0800 2008 3252920 123480 scuzzo 2 3253212 Amen Brother! That's what I thought when I read this - Oh great! Another tasty treat I can't afford! Wed Jan 02 08:51:21 -0800 2008 3253142 80937 danhole 3 3253988 I'm sure this is great stuff, but I'd rather save my big bucks temptations for a bit of good dark chocolate, and some fine cheese, like Stilton or an aged Gouda. Wed Jan 02 12:19:32 -0800 2008 3253212 123480 scuzzo 4 3254136 Ah! Good cheese! That's my real downfall. I have said it before and I will say it again - I would never spend $20 per lb. on meat, but I will on cheese! Wed Jan 02 12:49:05 -0800 2008 3253988 80937 danhole 5 3254918 We saw it at a market in New York but didn't have the guts to try it. Wed Jan 02 16:17:58 -0800 2008 3254136 10763 Miss Needle 5 3255395 But, a little bit of cheese goes a long way! Wed Jan 02 18:48:38 -0800 2008 3254136 115579 Mother of four 2 3253216 Me Too!!!! I've been trying to resist this insidious temptation, but I fear this week-end all will be lost when I throw all caution to the wind and give in. Pray for me. Wed Jan 02 08:51:59 -0800 2008 3253142 75332 Gio 3 3253348 Give in. Just do it. Here's where I bought mine: http://www.formaggiokitchen.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=30_174&products_id=1530 Wed Jan 02 09:30:26 -0800 2008 3253216 15217 gini 4 3253357 Thanks gini. Formagio is one of my favorite places in the world! Wed Jan 02 09:34:22 -0800 2008 3253348 75332 Gio 1 3253187 I am so jealous! It is still not legal in Canada! Still, U.S.A. is closer than Spain, so i am hopeful I can pick some up the next time I am in the States. I would agree that it is the best in its class. When the summer tomatoes are back in full swing, try it as they eat it in Barcelona. Buy a really good loaf of bread, a real baguette (not the fake stuff they sell in supermarkets) or perhaps a nice ciabatta, or french artisanal loaf. Toast bread if you want as in bruschetta. I would lean towards a white bread loaf, not a multigrain loaf. Cut a clove of garlic in half, rub the open side on the bread. Cut a ripe tomato in half. Rub the open side on the bread to squish the tomato juices and pulp onto the bread. Sprinkle with a touch of sea salt. Pile on Jamon. Then eat, and think, "how can it get better than this?" Wed Jan 02 08:43:10 -0800 2008 3252920 89969 moh 2 3253349 I'm afraid I couldn't even get the stuff on a plate. Just stood over the packaging eating it with my hands and smearing it all over my face. Ok, not quite, but you get the idea. Wed Jan 02 09:31:01 -0800 2008 3253187 15217 gini 3 3253397 ooohhh... i can totally see that image...thank goodness for vicarious living....i can just see that glistening layer of melted fat on your face - and it is a beautiful thing. Gio. Throw all caution to the wind. Life is too short not to so so. Wed Jan 02 09:47:41 -0800 2008 3253349 89969 moh 2 3254768 Re: pan amb tomaquet: one of my favorite snacks in the world! They did it without jamon when I was there, but it's a great addition... Wed Jan 02 15:35:58 -0800 2008 3253187 14388 theannerska 1 3255838 anyone know where to get this in NYC?? Wed Jan 02 21:42:13 -0800 2008 3252920 74716 spollack71 2 3256324 They had it at one of the cheese shops at the Essex Street Market. Thu Jan 03 06:54:11 -0800 2008 3255838 10763 Miss Needle 2 3256783 Since Formaggio is importing it in Cambridge, I'm sure you could get some at Formaggio Essex. Thu Jan 03 09:09:43 -0800 2008 3255838 15217 gini 3 3258052 thanks CHers, i will look for it there Thu Jan 03 13:41:44 -0800 2008 3256783 74716 spollack71 1 3258494 gini thanks for the temptation which was satisfied today with a trip to the Shawmut Ave Formaggio...1/4 pound purchased and I am restraining myself as we speak so there is a respectable amount left for Husband when he gets home from office ( or like u r what u eat...I am the pig) Anyhow several years ago when we visited Spain MANY of the moderate as well as finer restaurants offered a brimming PLATE of this as an amuse as you sat down to dine...as an amuse!!!!!! and it was plentiful and a grand gift...For those who buy , be sure to allow it to come to room temperature before indulging Brings out the full flavor ( not chilled ) Thu Jan 03 15:47:44 -0800 2008 3252920 11784 capeanne 1 3261782 see- i had a very different reaction - i'd been dying to try this stuff for a while, and was so excited that it was finally coming to the US. I bought some at agata & valantina here in new york.. and found i was a bit disappointed. While i thought the texture was really nice, i wasn't blown away by the taste.. not that it was bad, but i found it a little insipid. So far, id have to say the good ol' jamon serrano is still my favorite pork product in this style. Fri Jan 04 14:01:28 -0800 2008 3252920 135229 thew 1 3262135 I love the stuff. It makes a fantastic sandwich with a good quality Manchego cheese on a crusty baguette. It is a very expensive addiction. If feed mine in the interim with quality serrano. can't go wrong with cured pork products. Fri Jan 04 15:44:13 -0800 2008 3252920 154081 sundevil 2 3262761 i plan on giving it another try..as i said i adored the texture and mouth feel, but prefer the flavor of the serrano overall... I just WANTED to love this stuff... hell, before i heard it was going to be allowed here i was thinking of a spanish vacation, with the iberico as the big payoff.... Fri Jan 04 19:35:26 -0800 2008 3262135 135229 thew