I don’t know about you but when it comes to appetizers I kind of freak out. In a bad way.
It’s just something about finding that perfect little bit to really tickle someone’s tongue that makes me nervous. What if it’s not perfect? What if they’re not tickled? What if I make too many or too few or it’s too good and the rest of the meal sucks? Or even worse – what if it’s just not good enough?
It’s a little nerve-wracking in case you couldn’t tell. And even though it’s probably just me, I feel like honesty is key here and I’m telling you: freak out central.
When I was in college I worked in a school-owned restaurant for my degree and these parmesan crisps were always on the menu for the salad bar. They’re so easy to make and a little too easy to eat, but pop in a cherry tomato for some color and you’ve got a fun, impressive, one-bite appetizer that everyone will love. Don’t love tomatoes? Take it out and eat the crisp itself! Add a little basil for a perfect pairing. And make sure you make too many of them…these are one appetizer that it’s OK to overdose on.
PARMESAN WRAPPED TOMATO BITES
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 10 oz shredded parmesan cheese (you can do freshly shredded or buy the pre-packaged kind depending on your time limits)
- toothpicks
- sprinkling of pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 350. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper – this is VERY important. It’s cheese so it will stick and parchment is pretty much the only thing besides a Silpat that will work with this! Using a tablespoon make mounds of cheese about 1 inch apart on the baking sheets. Pop in the oven at 350 for 4-6 minutes. Check after 4 minutes to see where they’re at; you want the edges to be golden brown but the center will likely still be lighter. Remove from oven and let sit for about 3-4 minutes. Carefully remove each crisp from the sheet and wrap around a cherry tomato, then skewer with a toothpick. Repeat! Once they’re all done they will be golden brown and deliciously wrapped around that little piece of summer fruit and ready for your guests, but remember you can always sprinkle with pepper or add a little basil to make ’em extra fancy!
Hey, I try to keep the freakouts to a minimum. Cheese kind of does that to me!
Pssssst! Don’t forget to enter the Bertolli Giveaway if you haven’t already!
Total FAIL. After 8 minutes the cheese was still pale. And then you had to work crazy fast to have the cheese soft enough to wrap around the tomatoes and you will have blisters on your fingers! Sorry, so wanted to take these to a party on Friday. Can not do.
I’m sorry they didn’t work out for you Cyn 🙁 The only thing I can think of is if there’s a major difference in our oven temperatures or if the parmesans we used were different somehow?
I nade these & also cheddar ones. I used foil with cooking spray on my baking sheet& it worked great. I also added a sm. basil leaf to some…yum! Some I just left as.plain round cheese crisps after draining on a napkin, paper towel or a paper plate
These look really good! Dangerously simple. I could see myself eating most all of them. heheh
well aren’t these just the cutest?!?!
I’m always looking for cool appeitzers to try. This one is perfect.
sooooo pretty! i make them cup shaped and serve risotto in them…but they’re not as cute as yours
Oh my gosh! I don’t think there’s anyone out there that wouldn’t love these! They’re so cute, too.
So cute, simple, and a great appetizer! Yum. I did grilled parmesan and garlic tomatoes the other night and they were fabulous.. these look even better!
oooh, I can almost taste them now… crunchy salty with the freshness of tomato… perfect!
What an awesome idea – would have never thouht of this. Love it – doing at my next party!
Wow, these are fancy but really simple. A must make for my next gathering!
Cute is the perfect word to describe these!! It’s the perfect little appetizer 🙂
I love these! They look fancy but are so easy!
These are too cute for words and I just know they are super delicious! Have been making the parmesan crackers for years but this pairing is genious!
Very cute! I just made parmesan + rosemary crisps to top a salad the other day. This is a great adaptation for an appetizer!
These are so great, what a fabulous party food!
Ohmygoodness!!! These are just fabulous.
I want these! They are so adorable
these are so cute!