Saturday, January 18, 2014

The Easiest Homemade Cheese Crisp Recipe Ever (gluten-free and low-carb)

Imelihtsad juustuküpsised / Simple cheese cookies

I originally blogged about these baked cheese crackers back in early December 2007.  Back then I was teaching at the university during day-time and working as an intern at a restaurant in the evenings. Didn't have much time - or need - to cook at home, so these delicious and exceptionally easy cheese crisps were perfect as a late-night nibble.

Now, more than 6 years and 3 kids later, I still make these every now and then. Cheese is an ingredient I always have lurking in the fridge, as it's pretty versatile - and I love cheese. So whenever I bake something in the oven, I bake a batch of these as well. These are also suitable if you're on a low-carb and/or gluten-free diet. And if you go to sauna on Saturday evenings, like many Estonians do, then these go beautifully with beer.

You can use any semi-hard cheese on hand. I tend to use Eesti juust aka 'Estonian cheese' - a cheese similar to the Danish Havarti cheese which is available pretty much everywhere in the world. Cheddar and Parmesan would work as well, so really, use whatever you have in your fridge.

Easy Baked Cheese Crisps
(Imelihtsad juustuküpsised)

coarsely grated cheese
caraway seeds (optional, but nice!)

Take small heaps of grated cheese and place them on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Leave about 5 cm/2 inches between cookies, as they spread during baking.
Sprinkle some caraway seeds on each 'crisp', if you wish. I really love the taste of caraway seeds and find the flavour mingles wonderfully with cheese, but you could use cumin seeds or paprika powder or chilli flakes or anything else you like.
Place in the middle of pre-heated 180 C/350 F oven and bake for 5-7 minutes, until the cheese has melted and turned slightly golden on the edges. Remove the baking sheet from the oven (overbaked cheese is nasty and bitter, so be careful not to bake the crisps/cookies for too long!) and leave to cool.
The cheese crisps harden slightly when cooling.

Serve as an accompaniment to a glass of hõõgvein/mulled wine/glühwein/glögg, or even regular wine or beer.

11 comments:

Thredahlia said...

Sellised juustukrõpsud on väga dekoratiivsed. Ma vahel pidulikumaks puhuks olen teinud mõnest "parmesanilisest" ja soojalt tainarulli peal kaarjaks või muffinipanni põhjadel kausjaks painutanud.

MyKitchenInHalfCups said...

I've always done mine with cheese cubes and they still come out just like these: round and lacy with holes AND SOOOOOO good!

Patricia Scarpin said...

Pille, what a wonderful idea!
They look beautiful and one just can't go wrong with cheese.

K and S said...

wow this sound very easy! and looks oh so delicious.

Anonymous said...

These look beautiful! I used to make these at a restaurant I worked in to garnish one of our salads. I had totally forgotten about them until your recipe reminded me. Thanks!

Jeanne said...

My kind of snack - easy and full of cheese :) I love the idea of the caraway seeds - may have to try this out when I have lunch guests over the weekend...

Pille said...

Thredahlia - ma mõtlesin samuti, et need oleks päris dekoratiivsed kaunistused.

Tanna - really? I must try that!!

Patricia - cheese is an excellent ingredient indeed.

K&S - thank you!

Ms Glaze - you're welcome :) I'll use these as garnish next time..

Jeanne- I love caraway seeds with pretty much everything, especially cheese, rye bread and sauerkraut :)

Ragne said...

Alles täna märkasin seda retsepti siin blogis - kohutavalt hea idee. Panen selle oma pean-kindlasti-proovima nimekirja!

Maya said...

I love making these! They make a lovely snack, as you mention, and they can be also a beautiful ornament to a festive (dinner) plate.
My favourite way of eating them (as of late) is shaping them into nests and using them as a salad bowl (for example). In case you're interested, you can see how I used these nests here: http://www.storiesfromemona.com/2012/04/19/pecorino-nests/

Pille said...

Ragne, kas jõudsid millalgi proovida? :)

Maya - I'll be surely making the nests for a salad soon, such a great idea!

Unknown said...

That is my kind of dish! It looks and sounds amazing. Bookmarked! http://www.luluhypermarket.com/GoodLife/food-guide-index.html