664537 Tue Nov 03 19:13:26 -0800 2009 5 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 5153873 I recently saw a product (I'll admit it... it was on FN) called 'Just The Cheese." It's real cheese, baked into crispy little nuggets. Apparently their inspiration was the crispy little bits of cheese around the edge of a pizza. Well, that's my favorite part, so I checked out their website -- www.specialcheese.com. The product seems expensive for a small-looking bag. Before I order I was wondering if anyone has tried this? Is it worth the price? Tue Nov 03 19:13:26 -0800 2009 257980 scoutmom1973 1 5154027 I just saw "frying cheese" as a new item at Trader Joe's. But if you like the fried cheese edges of pizza, you can just fry some other cheeses in a fry pan until crispy and eat. I think med. to hard cheeses work better than really soft ones for this. Parm, Asiago, cheddars can be fried to a crisp. And they ARE delicious! Tue Nov 03 20:52:03 -0800 2009 5153873 123480 scuzzo 2 5154981 Right, scuzzo. The cheese crisps made in the fry pan are called "frico." Frico originated in northern Italy (in the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia to be exact) and is made there with Montasio cheese, which is available here in the US. As you suggest, iit can also be made with Parmigiano Reggiano. A firm, aged Italian cheese usually works best . Other choices would be Asiago, Grana Padano and perhaps Piave. Cheddar can be fried, although it tends to be more oily. Frico is simple to make. Here's a recipe from Lidia Bastianich's web site: http://www.lidiasitaly.com/appetizers/ap11 Wed Nov 04 08:43:13 -0800 2009 5154027 1114540 cheesemaestro 3 5155049 Thanks! I hadn't heard the term "frico" before. And you're right about cheddar being oily! Wed Nov 04 08:58:03 -0800 2009 5154981 123480 scuzzo 4 5155086 You're welcome. I forgot to mention in my previous post that there is a line of ready-made Parmesan cheese crisps sold in specialty food shops and chains like Wegmans and Whole Foods. The company is Kitchen Table Bakers. The crisps are very good, although somewhat expensive for the amount you get. Here is their website: http://www.kitchentablebakers.com/ Wed Nov 04 09:06:58 -0800 2009 5155049 1114540 cheesemaestro 1 5178280 We have been "grilling" cheese for years now. We have used scamorza (which I think is a form of mozzarella or similar to) , grated fresh parmesan, even womething like monterey jack. Follow the others' directions of heating pan until a shred sizzles in 2-3 seconds and then cook on top of stove. The grate parmesan can be placed on parchment paper and baked, also. Probably 350. Cheryl Fri Nov 13 06:38:07 -0800 2009 5153873 1121764 caw249