Recipe Frico

Frico, a wonderfully uncomplicated Italian snack, is crafted with just one ingredient, typically grated Parmesan. This crispy delight serves as a sophisticated topping, a delightful snack, or a prelude to an Italian feast.

To prepare, a fine layer of shredded or grated cheese is spread in a loose circle on a baking sheet and then baked in the oven. Alternatively, it can be cooked in a frying pan, allowing the cheese to melt and transform into a crisp, pliable treat. While warm, the price can be delicately shaped into baskets or bowls, ready to cradle other delectable foods. Once cooled, it acquires that irresistible crispness.

These fresco make for an excellent appetizer or a decorative touch. They offer a savory crunch to salads and pair beautifully with soups, especially tomato soup, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated

Steps to Make It

01.  Get everything ready—gather the ingredients and preheat the oven to 375 F. Cover a big, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.

02.  Start by scooping out 1 tablespoon portions of finely grated Parmesan cheese onto the prepared baking sheet, working in batches. Spread each mound evenly, making them about 3 inches wide and leaving at least 1 inch of space between them.

03.  Bake until they turn a light brown and melt, which should take around 5 to 6 minutes (just keep an eye on them to make sure they don't get too brown). Once done, take them out of the oven and repeat the process with the remaining batches.

04.  You can shape this frico in various ways. They're easier to mold while warm because they harden as they cool. For tuile-like shapes, gently wrap a warm frico around the handle of a wooden spoon.

05.  To make cups, drape the warm frico over an inverted mini muffin pan or small prep bowls.

06.  Let them cool completely on the baking sheet, and then they're ready to be enjoyed!

Recipe Variations

• Enhance the flavor with a "cacio e pepe" style twist by adding a few twists of freshly cracked black pepper.
• For a subtly different taste, opt for Grana Padano cheese.

How to Store

• Allow the frico to cool entirely before storing them in an airtight container, where they'll stay fresh for up to three days. For the best taste and texture, enjoy them fresh!

What Does Frico Mean?

• Frico encompasses two distinct Italian dishes. The first is a delicate and crispy cracker crafted solely from melted cheese. The second, Frico Friulano, hails from Italy's northeast region. This traditional version was born from a clever reuse of leftover cheese rinds, notably featuring high-fat cheeses like Montasio. In its preparation, potatoes, onions, and sometimes assorted leftover vegetables are thinly sliced and cooked in a pan with butter or olive oil. Shredded cheese is added in equal measure, creating a mixture pressed into a thin cake. Cooked until golden and crisp, the cake is then flipped to brown the other side. Served in wedges alongside polenta and a glass of Italian red wine, Frico Friulano embodies this regional culinary tradition.