Frico (Parmesan Crisps)

This is a modular recipe, i.e. not a complete dish, but a part you can use in a number of different ways.

• Grate a fresh (still moist) chunk of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. You need a cup of relatively fine yield.
• Pre-heat the oven to 325°. Put a silipat on a baking sheet. Put a tablespoon of cheese in a 2½ inch ring and press flat with your finger. (8X for 8 tulles). Put on middle rack for 8 to 10 min. (golden brown)
• Wait for a couple of seconds for the tulle to set up, and use a spatula (spray some non-stick on it) to transfer to a mold. (an egg carton works great). You now have a crisp little basket to put something in. (spinach dip, goat cheese mouse, etc.)

Notes: Use cheese, not the pre-grated colloidal product. The *brand name* grated cheese is good for Chief Boy-R-D, but it doesn't melt properly. You don't save any money or time if you can't serve it. Keep an eye on the progress in the oven until you get the hang of it. As an aside, an oven thermometer is cheap, getting an oven repairman to regulate your thermostat isn't. Use a ring and spoon. You can freehand them, but a measured product has a nice finished look and it's easier to calculate your costs. Do the crisps in batches, they set up quickly, and transferring them to the mold takes longer than you think. Get your speed by rotating multiple sheets through the oven rather than loading a lot on one sheet. You can do them ahead, but not too far and don't fill them until just before service. Too much moisture, and crisp be gone. (although they taste great, they don't look so good)

I've seen larger ones made in egg pans on the stovetop. You could crack them into chips for a salad, slide them out and put over a plated dish, letting them set as a cover, or make a taco or cone shape and fill them. Your first batch might be a bit time consuming, but you'll soon get the hang and be turning them out presto. The measurements were adapted from The French Laundry Cookbook, which is a good guide to how they play in the deep end of the pool. (prix fixe: If you need to ask....)