Parmesan, Thyme and Hickory Smoked Salt Crisps | Friday Night Bites

It has been a while since the last installment of Friday Night Bites.  Life has gotten a bit crazy around our house with our two new puppies – Marty and Stewart + the increase workload at my office has limited my time.  My goal is to get back to the weekly series on a consistent basis.

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We call Marty and Stewart - “the pups” and they have turned our life a bit topsy turvy.  For weeks upon weeks, we had puppy pads set up by the back door – not my ideas of home décor but a necessary floor mat for these pee monsters.  Never realized there were stages to having puppy pads or like I to call – “As the Puppy Pad World Turns”:

Stage 1:  We simply laid down the puppy pads and hope for the best.

Stage 2:  Stage 1 was a failure - now we need to tape together the puppy pads with blue painters tape since the little fluffy monsters think they are another toy that can be chewed.

Stage 3:  With stage 2 now needing some adjustment, Hubby creates a steel puppy pad holder that holds down the puppy pads around the edges yet fluffy monsters rip up pads into tiny pieces

Stage 4:  Stage 3 needs tweeking - so now the puppy pads are taped to the steel holder around all edges to prevent tearing and pulling

Stage 5:  We are now removing tiny pieces of blue tape off of the puppies due to them thinking blue tape is another toy that Mommy and Daddy had given them + finding bits of blue tape inside and outside for weeks.

Stage 6:  We are now taking big measures with Daddy putting in new back door with a doggie door so fluffy monsters learn to go outside but puppy pads still in the house as a back up

Stage 7:  A week later after new door goes in the puppy pads are torn up twice in one day, so puppy parents have had enough and one puppy pad goes outside with bricks to hold down the four corners.

Stage 8:  One week into no puppy pads being gone from inside the house and minimal accidents occuring inside – we now have fluffy monsters who are 95% potty trained – YEAH!

Stage 9:  Our anticipation continues for 100% potty trained doggies - we are super close!
Stage 10: Will be when puppies are 100% potty trained and can roam the house freely without chewing anything - sending positive thoughts to the universe.  (and having a glass of wine.  smile)

In between our busy world, my hubby had a birthday – a big one.  For weeks, I would inquire – “what do you want to do for your birthday”?  The answer remained the same for weeks – “I am not sure, but will let you know”.  The day before finally arrived and I got my answer – “Let’s go flying for lunch to Red Bluff, then come home to open a special bottle of wine we have been saving, enjoy some great cheeses, open gifts and simply have a relaxing evening together”.  After all it was my hubby’s birthday and I wanted him to enjoy his day.  I asked him the next day – “did you have a great birthday?” and he said it was simply great.  At the end of the day, celebrating the way you want to is the most important thing.  Life is meant to be enjoyed!

As part of our cheese course, we enjoyed some Parmesan Crisps or if you are in Italy you would have Frico – a wafer of shredded cheese that is baked until crispy.  I kicked it up with a bit of thyme and smoked salt.  The end result was a simply divine cheese crisp that went so well with red wine.  Happy Friday Friends!

Parmesan, Thyme and Smoked Salt Crisps

Makes 16

24 Tablespoon of finely grated Parmesan Reggiano

2 to 3 Tablespoons of Fresh Thyme Leaves

Smoked Sea Salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat (Silpat).  Work in multiple batches, scoop a tablespoon and a half mounds onto the silpat, that are at least 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.  Top each one with a small pinch of thyme leaves and a tiny pinch of smoked sea salt.

Bake cheese until light brown and melted, about 5 to 6 minutes.  Check occasionally in case your oven runs warmer.  Let cool and then remove onto a platter.  Repeat until all cheese is used.