Cheese Crisp
Being from Wisconsin, I love cheese. My kids love cheese, and pretty much everyone I have ever met loves cheese. Sure, I have met possibly one, or three people who do not like cheese, and I am certain I questioned that in my head, but I quickly got past that thought, and realized that cheese is great.
Cheese goes great with most anything. A cheese and cracker, a cube of cheese with wine, warm cheese with fruit, a grilled cheese, and I could continue on and on with why cheese is so awesome.
There is one simple appetizer that I have always loved. A crisp tortilla with baked cheese, and for me, a little topping of thinly sliced jalapeno peppers. I am not sure what it is about this snack, or meal, if you will, but the great textures of the cheese and tortilla, with a subtle heat of the pepper, really makes this a top favorite dish.
Many people like to fry the large flour tortilla, but I prefer to place mine in a preheated oven to achieve the same crispiness, plus it is a bit more healthy.
Ingredients:
- Large flour tortillas
- Mixed shredded cheeses (cheddar, monterey jack)
- Toppings, optional (sliced jalapeno or serrano peppers, onions, cilantro)
Two to three ingredients. How simple is that? Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees. Place a large tortilla on the oven rack, and cook in the oven for about 5 minutes, or until it becomes golden. Once you have reached that state, remove the tortilla from the oven, and place about 3/4 cup of the mixed cheese onto the top of the tortilla. Place back in the oven, and cook until the cheese is completely melted. If you want, place under the broiler for about one minute until it gets really nice and bubbly.
Remove the tortilla from the oven, and add a few optional ingredients. In my case, jalapeno slices, as I love that cheese and pepper combination. Enjoy.
4 Comments
Joey
I still have memories of my first cheese crisp at a small family Mexican restaurant way outside of the city of Phoenix. Back then, there was hardly anything there, now it’s been hugely developed. Anyways, that was the tastiest meal a young child could have… so good that I still remember how yummy it was decades later! That one was presented on a huge flour tortilla the size of a pizza.
Parmesan Cheese Grater
Cheese is my world! I actually have dreams about cheese and when I wake up, sometimes sprinkle cheese on my cereal. I live for cheese. Great site by the way.
Don
I grew up in Tucson, late 60’s through mid 70’s, and we (us kids) ate cheese crisps whenever our mom would let us turn on the oven! Our favorite topping was always smothering the thing in salsa within a few moments of it coming out of the oven!
I still eat them today although the microwave oven has replaced the hot oven… dont frown on that! There is a trick to getting them crispy right out of the microwae…. you need to air cool them! Use either a stout cookie rack, or since I have a gas stove, I use the grate above the burner. Dont forget the salsa!
Caryn
My husband grew up in Philly and calls these cheese crisp. I grew up in Central Texas and we call them tostadas (baked or fried). But, as rose is a rose on the name game front.
They are delicious! Thanks!