Parmesan waffles are crunchy, delicate sheets that you can make by baking the cheese in the oven. You can serve them as snacks, to make an aperitif or to garnish creams and velvets, for example a tomato bisque or a broccoli soup. Once you have mastered the basics of this recipe, you can make it more sophisticated by adding seasonings like herbs and spices. You can also make baskets - just place the waffles on a series of inverted molds before they cool.
Ingrediants
Simple Parmesan Wafers
- ½ cup (60 g) of grated Parmesan cheese
- A pinch of freshly ground black pepper (optional)
Doses for 8-10 wafers
Crunchy Parmesan Baskets
230 g of grated Parmesan cheese
Makes 32-40 baskets
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Make Simple Parmesan Waffles
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 200 ° C and line a large baking sheet with wax paper
You can also use a silicone mold.
Step 2. Place a spoonful of Parmesan cheese on the baking sheet
Try to use grated cheese in large grains or flakes, which are more like parmesan cut into strips. Instead, avoid using the grated one in fine powder: although it melts, it will not allow you to obtain the classic pattern that characterizes the pods.
Step 3. Flatten the Parmesan cheese to a width of about 5 cm
Press it gently with the back of a spoon, then rotate it until it is flat and spread over the surface. Try not to leave any hollows: remember that the thickness of each wafer should be homogeneous.
Don't worry if the cheese has holes in it. Once it has melted, a nice lattice pattern will be created
Step 4. Lay the rest of the cheese on the baking sheet repeating the same procedure
The various piles of Parmesan should be separated by calculating a distance of about 5-10 cm. The measured amount of cheese is enough to prepare 8-10 stacks.
Step 5. Sprinkle freshly ground black pepper on the cheese piles
It's optional, but many people find it makes waffles tastier. If you don't like black pepper, try using other seasonings, such as:
- Cayenne pepper;
- Finely chopped basil, rosemary or thyme;
- Garlic powder;
- Smoked paprika.
Step 6. Place the waffles on the center rack of the oven and let them cook for 3-5 minutes
They will be ready once golden. If you don't find them crispy or golden enough, cook them for an additional 1-3 minutes.
Step 7. Let them cool on the baking sheet before removing them with a thin metal spatula
If they are too oily, place them on a paper towel to dry. Serve them once they reach room temperature.
Method 2 of 2: Make Crunchy Parmesan Baskets
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 180 ° C and line a lightly greased baking sheet with wax paper
You can also use a silicone mold.
Step 2. Place a spoonful of Parmesan cheese on the baking sheet
If possible, try using coarse rather than fine grated Parmesan. Although it melts, the latter does not allow to obtain the classic reticular pattern typical of waffles.
Step 3. Gently tap the cheese until it forms a circle about 5cm wide
It shouldn't be too thick, otherwise it will have a chewy and slightly crunchy texture when cooked. You can flatten it using your fingers or the back of a spoon. Make sure the waffle has an even thickness.
Step 4. Do not prepare more than 5-7 piles, spacing them approximately 5-10 cm
Although it is possible to prepare several waffles, it is preferable to make several batches. Once out of the oven, you will need to proceed quickly to shape them and get baskets. If you cook them all together, half of the waffles will be too hard to work with when it comes time to shape them.
Step 5. Place them on the center rack of the oven and let them cook for 4 minutes
They will be ready once bubbles have started to form and have taken on a golden color.
Step 6. Let them cool for 1 minute
They should be warm and supple, but not hot, otherwise you won't be able to handle them.
Step 7. Remove them with a thin metal spatula and lay them on the molds of your choice
Gently press them onto the top and sides of the molds with your fingers. Don't worry if the edges get wrinkled - baskets almost always have this feature! As for the molds, you can use any small cylindrical shaped object, such as:
- Inverted shot glasses;
- Inverted egg cartons;
- Inverted mini muffin molds;
- Cork stoppers.
Step 8. Let the baskets cool completely before lifting them very gently
As the first batch cools, you can take care of the second.
Step 9. Stuff the baskets and serve them as snacks
You can stuff them using any ingredient that goes well with Parmesan: meatballs, goat cheese, cherry tomatoes and so on. Complete the preparation by adding a small garnish, such as a basil leaf or parsley.
Advice
- Make the waffles thin and relatively round - these are the characteristics that make them crisp and light.
- If there are any leftovers, put them in an airtight container dividing the wafers with sheets of waxed paper. Consume them within a week.
- You can also season them with sesame or poppy seeds before baking.
- Serve them with your favorite bisque or cream.
- If you don't have Parmesan, try another hard cheese cut into strips, like Pecorino Romano.
Warnings
- The pods will be hot once taken out of the oven. Let them cool first.
- Always wear oven gloves when taking the pan out of the oven to prevent burns.
