Parmesan Crisps Recipe
PARMESAN CRISPS RECIPE
FOOD AS MEDICINE:
Fun fact: cholesterol is present in every cell membrane! Cholesterol helps keep nutrients in the cell to be used by its mitochondria (“energy factories”) to provide fuel for the body and prevent undesired toxins from entering the cells. Cholesterol also serves as a steroid hormone building block and aids in the production of serotonin, vitamin D, testosterone, coenzymeQ10, and other vital compounds.
Many have associate dietary cholesterol with heart disease. In reality, heart disease is caused by inflammation, which comes from foods like sugary cereals. Cholesterol does play a role in plaque formation, but only after an injury has occurred in the lining of the vessel. Think of it this way: blaming cholesterol for heart disease is like blaming a firefighter for the cause of a fire.
Get a healthy dose of cholesterol and satisfy your savory cravings without the carb overload. I’m sharing three variations of one of my favorite salty snacks: Parmesan crisps!
Makes 4 servings
INGREDIENTS:
4 ounces of Parmesan*, shredded thinly
Choose one of the following flavor enhancers:
2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon dill
¼ teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon finely chopped rosemary
½ teaspoon black pepper
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix shredded Parmesan with your choice of flavor enhancer. Scoop one tablespoon on a silicone pad or a greased parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. Scoop mounds into 3 4-column rows and flatten each mound with the back of a spoon. Ensure Parmesan formations are not touching. Bake on the middle rack for 5-7 minutes until golden brown. Store in airtight container.
*Note: Shred the Parmesan yourself with a grater or shredder to avoid the anti-caking additives in pre-shredded store bought cheeses.
Nutrition facts: 135 calories, 8 grams fat, 1 gram carbohydrates, 11 grams protein
Parmesan crisps make for a great salad topper or a mid-day snack! Parmesan is such a versatile ingredient and the flavor combinations are endless. Whip up a batch of Parmesan crisps and share your photos on Twitter!
For more delicious food-as-medicine inspired recipes, pick up a copy of our Naturally Nourished cookbook!
Can you use any type of cheese?
Parm is going to work best as it is a very hard cheese. Asiago could work as well! Something like cheddar etc would likely just melt! Let us know if you experiment.