Just for a change of pace, I thought I’d share an easy recipe for frico or Itallian parmesan crisps.
A couple of weeks ago, I hosted my book club and that means making dinner for a group. One of our members is gluten-free, so I am often on the lookout for recipes without gluten or dishes that allow me to serve gluten foods on the side. I decided to make caeser salad (the dressing is so easy to make from scratch too!) with grilled chicken, and I served the croutons that I made from my homemade rye bread on the side.
Instead of serving shavings of parmesan cheese with the salad, I decided to serve frico.
Frico are a cinch to make. You really don’t need a recipe! There’s really only one ingredient – parmesan cheese (though the original recipe is made with montasio cheese), but I add in some additional flavors. Just make sure you either buy or make parmesan shreds! Ground parmesan cheese will not work! To save time, I bought parmesan cheese shreds. I added in:
- freshly ground black pepper
- cayenne to taste – I like a bit of heat, but this is optional. You could also add any spice or herb you like such as basil, fennel, cumin etc., or skip it altogether.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Make a small mound with 1 tablespoon of the parmesan cheese (mixture if you added pepper or any other herb or spice) and tamp it down into a round or oval shape. Leave adequate space – about an inch and a half or two – between your mounds because the cheese spreads as it becomes a “frico” or crispy cheese.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cook the fricos till they are just golden, about 7 minutes depending on your oven. You don’t want to overcook them, or they will be bitter. They should look somewhat lacey. This time, I could have used a little less in each mound to make them lacier and maybe cook them for a minute less so the color was more uniform. Nevertheless, I thought I’d show them to you as is!
Remove them from the oven. If you want flat fricos, you can let them cool on the parchment.
If you want fancy fricos, use a metal spatula to remove them and lay them on a rolling pin and let them cool that way into a curved shape. This time, I went with flat fricos.
We ate them along with the caeser salad, but they are delicious as appetizers too! I love ’em!
Have you tried frico? Let me know what you think if you give them a try!
Omnomnom! Now I’m hungry…:-)
Kiss & Make-up recently posted…Review | Rodial instaglam compact deluxe contouring powder, Rodial instaglam highlighter & Rodial eye sculpt
Do you have fricos all the time in Europe, Melissa?
I had never heard of frico. Now I want a big hairy salad. ha ha I am suppose to be gluten free. Easter left me feeling ill. I am just starting to feel better today. I am allergic to chocolate, casein and eggs among other things. I just found out about all my food allergies last year. It sure explained a lot. That was very thoughtful of you to cater to a food allergy. My own family will not do that for me. As I mentioned before my husband and I prepare all the family get together dinners. Certain menus are demanded by my mother. She refuses to steer from tradition.
Since these have cheese in them and cheese has casein (right?), I guess you can’t try them. I’m sorry that your family isn’t supportive of your food allergy, but I guess if you have to do all the cooking, you get to control (sort of since you mom insists on certain dishes!) the menu 🙁
Yum! I never made fricos before, but after reading this post I’ll definitely give it a shot. Hubs and I are big time cheese lovers 🙂
They’re so easy to make, Anastasia. You’ll love ’em!
My brother makes these a lot! With all kinds of cheese.
Destany recently posted…Cult Nails Nakizzle’s Shizzle
That’s great that your brother makes them, too. The original cheese was montasio but it’s difficult to find in the supermarket here. I should try another hard cheese for a new taste!
I’ve never heard of fricos before! But hello, cheese? I’m in.
Krystal E recently posted…KBShimmer Funky Cold Patina
And they are so easy to make, Krystal!
I’ve made these before and they are good! Good idea to add in some spice, I think I’ll try that next time. Sounds like a yummy meal for a book club group!
Kristina Vieweg recently posted…April Julep Maven Box: Boho Glam
Thanks, Kristina. Glad you’ve made fricos, too!
So easy! I never think to do this 🙂
Monica.
MonicaP recently posted…Stitch Fix No. 3 – A full return
Do it and let me know what you think! They’re addictive 😉
Oh, wow!!! I’ve never made fricos before.. I’m not a very good cook either lol but I would love to try to make this, since it seems pretty simple. thanks for the recipe 😀
Vivienne recently posted…How Do You Take Your Tea?
I hope you do try them, Vivienne. They are simple to make, and they look so elegant!
Behold, the power of cheese! Melted, crispy cheese! yum
Nidia – Lit From Within recently posted…Satin Chevrons
True, Nidia, that is indeed what it is!
I love eating parmesan crisps. They are such an easy yet elegant way to perk up any event! Thanks for sharing your way of making them. 🙂
Shipra recently posted…L.A. Girl Glazed Lip Paints Tempt and Seduce Swatches and Review
Do you make them differently, Shipra? Anything I should try out instead of my way?
I’ve only made it once, and I added a little bit of Italian seasoning and some peppercorn. It was delish. 🙂
Shipra recently posted…L.A. Girl Glazed Lip Paints Tempt and Seduce Swatches and Review
Oh yes, that sounds great! You can put in any herbs and spices that you like.
I unintentionally make these all the time when I bake chicken, but this looks like such an easy recipe to follow. Parmesan crisps are such a fun addition to meals.
Molly recently posted…Cadbury Creme Egg Brownies
“unintentionally”? So intriguing, Molly! Do you drop cheese on the pan? But that’s a great idea. I will serve these with chicken sometime even without the Caesar Salad!
Oh YUM! This looks delish and now I’m really hungry 🙂
Honeygirlk recently posted…ColourPop In Bloom Collaboration With Jamie Greenberg
Me, too. I’m starved. I wish I had some now
Yummy! Thank you for the recipe! I need to make these for my next Caesar Salad! I suspect that I would eat quite a few of them like chips though!
Lola’s Secret Beauty Blog recently posted…Schwarzkopf Styling Products for Effortlessly Gorgeous Tresses
I love potato chips but these are a little “meatier” and more satisfying and have more calories per chip, lol! They’re delicious and great with Caesar salad instead of parmesan shavings xoxo
These look awesome. I love Parmesan and these would be a big hit in my house!
Carleen recently posted…Spring Beauty Essentials
Let me know how they come out if you make ’em, Carleen! And enjoy your birthday 🙂
These look so yummy!! I never knew you could do this with parmesan cheese, I’m definitely going to try it! 🙂
Julie recently posted…Face of the Day {10 April 2015}
They’re so delicious. Hope you enjoy them, Julie!
YUM! Come make them for me!
Brooke @ Blushing Noir recently posted…Tarte Poppy Picnic Collection Swatches, Review + FOTD // Summer 2015
They’re such a cinch to make, Brooke, even with 2 little girls at home
I’ve never heard of this before but it sounds yummy!
Phyrra recently posted…Urban Decay Tonic Tutorial
They are sooooo delicious and so easy to make!
I am so going to do this and surprise my husband. He’d love these. I have the cheese shreds already. I love how simple this is (my kind of cooking is simple).
MarciaF recently posted…Love gel polish but not the lamp? Try Bio Seaweed Gel Solarcure polish
I’m so glad, Marcia! I hope you like them. Let me know 🙂
Nom. I can do this, so easy. Thanks for sharing your recipe
Kath TheFabZilla recently posted…I’ll Drink Anything Coffee….and Scrub It Too!
They’re delicious, Kath. Let me know how they come out if you give it a try!
These look delicious! I miss cheese!
Amber recently posted…Paula’s Choice Skin Care Regimen
I’m sorry you have to be dairy-free!
I’ve always meant to try making these but never have… I should though, yours look so good!
Bailey recently posted…Too Faced The Little Black Book of Bronzers
They’re so yummy and so simple to make, Bailey!
I love cheese! I’m hosting my book club soon and these will are a great idea!!
Cindy (Prime Beauty) recently posted…The Lipstick League: Pretty Feet!
Let me know how they work out if you make them!
OO I never heard of these before. NEED
Laura MyNewestAddiction recently posted…Drugstore Beauty Twitter Party
They’re delicious and so easy to make 🙂
Wow, these look amazing! I am SUCH a cheese girl at heart, so I’ll be frying these up with the fiance soon! Love the mix-up. (:
Erica @ Coming Up Roses recently posted…NYNB: 15 Blogging Timesavers
They’re so yummy, Erica, and so quick to me. Hope you and your fiancé do make them sometime. Let me know what you think!
Oh…I need to make this and let my son make them for salad too!! Thank you for sharing this cheese recipe!!
Definitely a fun cooking project for families! So easy and delicious!
These look so yummo and so so easy. Thanks for the idea for my next wine soiree.
Melissa recently posted…MORE Lights, Camera, Style! X
Fricos are just perfect for your wine soiree, Melissa! And so easy to make 🙂
That looks so delicious !
Betzy Carmona recently posted…Support Health 4 Birthday Celebrations
It is yummy, Betzy, and so simple to make!
Ah this makes me miss cheese! unfortunately Cheese doesn’t agree me! they look lovely though 🙂
Danielle Did What recently posted…TK Maxx – Mermaid Dress
Sad to hear that, Danielle. But it’s good that you know what things to avoid eating so that you feel good 🙂