Tucson Cheese Crisps Recipes

TUCSON CHEESE CRISPS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°.
• Combine the salad topping ingredients in a small bowl.
• Bake the tortilla for 4-5 minutes directly on the oven rack; remove the tortilla from the oven and place it on a baking sheet or pizza stone.
• Sprinkle the cheese on and return to the oven; bake until the cheese melts completely, another 4-5 minutes.
• Transfer the tortilla to a platter and spoon on the salad topping.
• Serve the crisp immediately, breaking off pieces of the tortilla to eat it.

ROASTED CHEESE CRISPS

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 375°.
• Shred the block of cheese lengthwise (longer shreds work better) using a box grater with holes about 1/4-inch wide.
• Place in a medium bowl.
• Sprinkle with the flour; toss gently with a fork to coat the cheese.
• Sprinkle with the red pepper, toss again.
• Place a silicone baking mat or a sheet of parchment paper on a 16 1/2-by-11 1/2-inch sheet pan.
• Scatter half of the cheese evenly over the mat.
• Shake the pan gently to even the cheese out. Or, you can spread the cheese mixture into circles, any size you wish, from 3 inches to 10 inches in diameter.
• Bake until the cheese is molten and golden brown, about 14-15 minutes.
• Remove from the oven; cool.
• Blot up any grease with paper towels.
• Break the crisp into large pieces; arrange on a platter.
• Wipe off the baking mat and repeating with the remaining cheese.

ARIZONA CHEESE CRISP

Steps:

• Pour oil into wok to depth of 1 inch. Place over medium-high heat until oil registers 360°F on deep-frying thermometer. Slide 1 tortilla into oil. Using 2 slotted spoons, gently hold center of tortilla down so oil flows over edges. When tortilla is crisp and golden on bottom, carefully tilt wok, holding tortilla in place with spoon, to cover edge of tortilla with oil; cook until lightly browned. Rotate tortilla as needed so entire edge is lightly browned. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels, curled side down. Repeat with second tortilla. Tortillas can be made up to 8 hours in advance. Cover loosely and let stand at room temperature.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Place shells, curled side up, on baking sheet. Sprinkle each with half of the cheddar cheese; top each with half of the picante sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, 8 to 10 minutes or until cheeses melt. To serve, break into bite-size pieces.
• Chorizo Cheese Crisp: Remove casing from 1/4 pound chorizo sausage. Crumble sausage into large skillet; stir over medium-high heat until browned. Drain fat. Follow directions for Arizona Cheese Crisp but substitute chorizo for Parmesan cheese.
• Olive Cheese Crisp: Follow directions for Arizona Cheese Crisp but omit picante sauce and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle 1/3 cup sliced pitted ripe olives and 1/3 cup diced green chilies over Cheddar cheese.