Parmesan Crisps

I know that Parmesan Crisps are meant to be appetizers, however I am turning them into an ambitious dinner plan (more on that after the recipe)... I think they will add some light fun to dinner on another snowy day.  Yet another Alton Brown inspiration, and of course, super easy for a busy household....

Parmesan Crisps

3 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Freshly ground black pepper, smoked paprika, or cayenne, optional

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.

Grate cheese on the small hole side of a 4-sided box grater into a small bowl. 

Using a tablespoon measure, place cheese in mounds onto a nonstick silicone pad or greased parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. 

Flatten out mounds with the back of a spoon, making sure mounds are at least 4 inches apart. 

Season with pepper, paprika, or cayenne, if desired. 

Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 5 to 6 minutes or until golden.

Now, the fun part about this recipe from Mr. Brown that he does not recount in his instructions, is that once the Parmesan crisps come out of the oven they are still slightly malleable. This means, they can be hardened over common upturned objects creating a little bowl shaped Parmesan vessel! Nifty, huh? Thus, my ambitious dinner plan tonight is to make these little cheese cups and fill them with some julienne veggies with a bite size piece of fried chicken (or maybe the left over coconut curry chicken)... Lately I feel as though I am using the same ideas/recipes for chicken constantly, and think this is a great idea for something new! I reckon it's the same thing as just eating a lot of appetizers for dinner, but it will at least feel fun and taste nummy!


Speaking of running out of chicken recipes and ideas, please feel free to post a comment with your ideas or recipe links! I would definitely appreciate any and will post them myself after trying them out :)