Parmesan Crisps with Thyme and Sea Salt (2024)

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One of the most elegant (and easy!) appetizers you'll ever have the pleasure of meeting. Thesedelicious Italian-inspired crisps pair wonderfully withco*cktails, and are fabulous onsalads or as soup toppers.

This is one of those easy (almost ridiculously easy recipes), that has lots of delicious WOW. It's an Ina Garden recipe that I've adapted ever so slightly. They're called "frico" in Italy and Ina describes them as,"One of the most elegant Italian delicacies you can serve with co*cktails."

I agree with her wholeheartedly. They're incredibly delicious, and yet light enough to not spoil the main course. I have a little "thing" about people filling up on the appetizers and not having much room for a lovingly-prepared meal.

The ingredient list is pretty much complete in the title of the post. There's a tablespoon of flour that's added, just to help everything hold together. Other than that, it's Parmesan cheese (good quality), fresh thyme and sea salt. You might think Parmesan is salty enough on it's own, but don't omit the pinch of sea salt. I tried that and it just wasn't the same.

And the technique is so simple you won't believe it. Just combine the Parmesan, flour and thyme and scoop out tablespoonfuls onto a cookie sheet.

Bake for 8-10 minutes, then let them cool. That's it!

Ina saysto grate the Parmesan quite coarsely (like you would carrots). I tried that too, and like the crisps better grated with a medium coarse grater. I think they look prettier that way too. Ina also calls for kosher salt combined with the cheese mixture - which is fine, but a sprinkle of good sea salt right over the top takes them literally "right over the top"!

So pick up a small piece of good Parmesan. I recommend Parmesan Reggiano. It's not cheap, but definitely worth it. I picked up a 4-ounce piece at Whole Foods for $5. That's probably as expensive as you'll find it. You canpurchase Parmesan Reggiano at Costco or Sam's club for much less, but you'll have to buy a much larger quantity. That's not such a bad thing though. It lasts a long time in the fridge and adds such a delicious touch to salads, soups, pasta...

Happy New Year! Can't wait to share lots of deliciousness in 2017! Cheers!

P.S. One last thing. These wonderful little bitesare also greatin or alongside salads and as soup toppers.