by partysugar 13

Parmesan cheese is quite possibly Italy's most popular cheese. The hard, dry cheese has clearly won its way into the hearts of America. It's made from skimmed (or partially skimmed) cow's milk and has a pale golden rind and light-straw interior. Although Parmesan is made in the US, Argentina, and Australia, for it to be authentically Italian it must be called Parmigiano-Reggiano. On average Parmesan is aged for two years. It has a granular texture that's sometimes characterized by crystals.

The flavor of Parmesan is salty, complex, and nutty. Parmesan is insanely versatile: it's obviously delicious in pasta, makes a wonderful addition to any cheese plate, is great shaved on salads or crisped on pizzas, and makes an exceptional frico. What exactly is a frico? Find out when you read more.

Frico, quite simply a crispy disk made of grated cheese, are native to Italy's Friuli region. Traditionally fricos consist of montasio cheese, but authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano is a nice substitute. Fricos can be used in salads, but paired with a glass of Prosecco, they make a light, luxurious appetizer.

Modified from Food & Wine

Parmesan Fricos

Ingredients

4 cups Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, coarsely grated

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. In the corner of a large nonstick baking sheet, sprinkle 1/4 cup of the grated cheese in a 4-inch round. Repeat to make 3 more rounds on the baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between the rounds.
2. Bake the frico in the oven for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is slightly melted and golden brown. Let the frico cool on the sheet for 2 minutes to firm up.
3. Using a metal spatula, transfer the frico to a platter to cool completely; they’ll crisp as they cool. Repeat with the remaining cheese. Arrange the frico on a platter and serve.

Serves 8.

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