Randy Chandler
Parmesan crisps, also known as frico, have been a staple in Northern Italy's Friuli Venezia Giulia region since perhaps the 1400s. They are made by frying or baking parmesan cheese into crispy, golden wafers. These crisps can be served in a variety of ways, including as a topping for soups, salads, or pasta, or as a low-carb snack. In this discussion, we will explore the different methods for frying Parmesan cheese and provide tips for achieving the perfect crispy texture and flavour.
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What You'll Learn
Deep frying Parmesan cheese
Deep-Frying Parmesan Cheese
Deep-fried Parmesan cheese is a fun and delicious culinary adventure that can be used as a topping for salads, soups, and pasta dishes, or simply enjoyed as a snack. Here is a detailed guide on how to deep-fry Parmesan cheese:
Ingredients
- High-quality Parmesan cheese (freshly grated is best)
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Optional seasonings: pepper, thyme, rosemary, oregano, garlic powder, etc.
Instructions:
Prep the Parmesan: Start by grating the Parmesan cheese if you haven't already. Using freshly grated cheese will result in the best flavor and texture.
Heat the Oil: Pour vegetable oil into a deep frying pan or pot. Heat the oil to approximately 375°F (190°C). It is important to use enough oil to fully submerge the cheese for even frying.
Form the Cheese: Take small handfuls of the grated Parmesan and form them into loose mounds on a plate. This step ensures that the cheese will fry evenly.
Fry the Cheese: Carefully place the cheese mounds into the hot oil. Do not overcrowd the pan to ensure even cooking. Deep-frying Parmesan typically takes only 1-2 minutes. Keep a close eye on the cheese as it fries, and remove it from the oil once it turns a golden brown color and becomes crispy.
Season and Serve: Transfer the fried Parmesan to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil. Sprinkle with your desired seasonings while the cheese is still hot. Enjoy your crispy, savory creation as a snack or topping!
Feel free to experiment with different seasonings and serving ideas to customize your deep-fried Parmesan experience. Enjoy your culinary adventure!
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Grating the cheese
When grating the Parmesan cheese, it is recommended to use freshly grated cheese instead of store-bought pre-grated cheese. Freshly grated cheese will result in the best flavor and texture. You can use a grater, microplane, or food processor to grate the cheese. If you are using a grater, it is best to use a fine or medium grater for a smoother consistency. Hold the cheese firmly and grate it in a steady, back-and-forth motion. Be careful to avoid grating your fingers! Alternatively, a food processor can be used for a quicker and easier grating process. Cut the cheese into small cubes and place them in the food processor. Pulse the processor in short bursts until the desired consistency is achieved.
It is important to grate the cheese into fine, even pieces to ensure consistent melting and frying. The size of the grated cheese pieces will affect the frying time and the final texture of the fried Parmesan. Smaller, finer pieces will melt and fry faster, resulting in a crispier texture. On the other hand, larger, coarser pieces will take longer to melt and fry, creating a chewier texture. So, depending on your desired outcome, adjust the grating process accordingly.
Once you have grated the cheese, it is important to store it properly until you are ready to fry it. Place the grated cheese in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. Freshly grated Parmesan can be stored for up to two weeks in the refrigerator. Storing it in an airtight container will prevent moisture absorption and maintain its quality. Additionally, you can freeze grated Parmesan for longer-term storage. Simply portion it into small bags or containers and store it in the freezer.
Before frying, you can also experiment with mixing herbs and spices with the grated Parmesan. Adding herbs like thyme, rosemary, or oregano, or a pinch of garlic powder, will infuse the cheese with savory notes and create a unique flavor profile. Be creative and customize your fried Parmesan by trying out different combinations of seasonings. Just ensure that the herbs and spices are finely chopped or ground to ensure they mix well with the grated cheese.
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Heating the oil
To begin heating the oil, pour vegetable oil into a deep frying pan or pot. It is recommended to use a dedicated frying pan with a temperature control function, which will help you monitor and adjust the heat more easily. Ensure you pour enough oil to completely submerge the cheese for even frying. The ideal temperature for the oil is 375°F (190°C).
Use a cooking thermometer to monitor the oil's temperature closely. This is important to prevent the cheese from burning and to ensure even cooking. Keep an eye on the thermometer as you fry, as the oil's temperature can fluctuate.
When frying, do not overcrowd the pan. Frying smaller batches of cheese at a time will help maintain the oil temperature and ensure the cheese fries evenly. Once the oil has reached the optimal temperature, you can carefully place the formed cheese mounds into the oil.
The frying process typically takes only 1-2 minutes. Keep a close watch on the cheese as it fries, and remove it from the oil once it turns a golden brown colour and becomes crispy. If the cheese is left in the oil for too long, it can burn and turn bitter.
By following these instructions for heating the oil, you can successfully fry Parmesan cheese to create a delicious and crispy treat.
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Forming the cheese
To form the cheese, start by grating the Parmesan if you haven't already. Using freshly grated cheese will result in the best flavour and texture. Take small handfuls of the grated Parmesan and form them into mounds on a plate. Keep the mounds loose to allow for even frying. You can also mix the grated Parmesan with herbs like thyme, rosemary, or oregano, or even add a pinch of garlic powder for extra flavour. This will infuse the cheese with additional savoury notes.
When forming the mounds, it is important to keep them small and loose so that the cheese can fry evenly. Overcrowding the pan can also affect the even cooking of the cheese. The frying process typically takes only 1-2 minutes, so it is important to keep a close eye on the cheese as it fries. Once the cheese turns a golden brown colour and becomes crispy, it is ready to be removed from the oil.
If you are not satisfied with the flavour of your fried Parmesan, it may be due to the quality of the cheese. It is recommended to use high-quality Parmesan cheese for the best flavour. Additionally, experimenting with different seasonings can help customise the flavour to your taste preferences.
It is worth noting that while Parmesan cheese can be fried, it is more commonly made into crisps or crackers by baking in the oven. This method is considered easier to work with, as there is enough oil in the Parmesan that additional oil or butter is not necessary. The oven-baked Parmesan crisps are also larger and crispier compared to the fried version.
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Adding seasonings
Frying Parmesan cheese is a fun and delicious way to elevate the flavour and texture of this classic ingredient. Before frying, you can experiment with different seasonings to customise the flavour of your fried Parmesan.
You can mix the grated Parmesan with herbs like thyme, rosemary, or oregano. You can also add a pinch of garlic powder for extra flavour. This will infuse the cheese with additional savoury notes.
Another option is to sprinkle the fried Parmesan disks with a blend of mixed pepper. You can also sprinkle the cheese with black pepper before baking it in the oven.
If you're looking for a quick and easy seasoning, simply using salt and pepper can also enhance the flavour of fried Parmesan.
By adding these seasonings, you can create a memorable culinary experience and savour the crispy, savoury goodness of fried Parmesan.
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Frequently asked questions
Vegetable oil is a good option, as it has a high smoke point and neutral flavour.
You need enough oil to fully submerge the cheese for even frying.
Deep frying Parmesan cheese typically takes 1-2 minutes. Keep a close eye on the cheese and remove it from the oil once it turns golden brown and crispy.
Fried Parmesan cheese makes a delicious topping for salads, soups, and pasta dishes. You can also serve it with sweet or spicy salsa, chopped tomato or cucumber, or enjoy it as a low-carb snack.
