July 31st 2024.
As someone who adores Caesar salad, I have had my fair share of substitutes for croutons. Some have been surprisingly delicious, while others have been total imposters. But none of them compare to the ultimate crispy queen, the frico.
Fricos are a traditional Italian snack that is perfect for enjoying with a refreshing drink. These thin wafers originate from Friuli, a region in the northeast of Italy, and are made by frying grated hard cheese until it turns golden, salty, and irresistibly crunchy. While Montasio and Asiago cheeses are the most commonly used in Italy, Parmesan and cheddar are more popular in the United States. Luckily, you can now find pre-made fricos in the snack food aisle, making them a blessing for those following a keto or gluten-free diet, or for anyone in need of a savory and crunchy snack on the go.
I stumbled upon the idea of adding fricos to my Caesar salad by accident. I was making my usual croutons by sprinkling grated Parmesan over garlic-rubbed and oiled bread cubes before baking. As always, some of the cheese fell to the bottom of the baking sheet and turned into delectable shards in the oven. Normally, I would devour all of these crispy bits straight from the pan, but that day I mindlessly tossed them into my salad along with the croutons. To my surprise, the frico bits stole the show.
I soon discovered that whenever I was short on time, I could simply crumble up store-bought Parmesan crisps and add them to any salad, whether it was a Caesar or not. And this hearty white bean salad is the perfect example. It requires no cooking and offers a range of textures and flavors that are both satisfying and effortless. The canned white beans are dressed in a tangy red wine vinaigrette, while slivers of fennel add a touch of sweetness and arugula and basil provide a delightful hint of bitterness. And the best part? Just before serving, you can sprinkle in some crumbled Parmesan crisps for a salty and crunchy finish. Just remember not to add them too soon, as they can lose their crispiness in the dressing.
To make this delicious salad, start by combining red wine vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl and let it sit while you prepare the vegetables. Use a mandoline to thinly slice the fennel and red onion and add them to a large bowl with the white beans, arugula, and basil. Slowly whisk in olive oil to the vinegar mixture until it becomes emulsified. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking. Then, toss the salad with the vinaigrette until everything is evenly coated. Just before serving, add some lemon juice for an extra kick and top it off with shaved Parmesan and crumbled Parmesan crisps. Drizzle with a little more olive oil and enjoy!
This recipe, originally featured in The New York Times, serves 3-4 people and takes only 20 minutes to make. So, next time you're in the mood for a Caesar salad, why not switch things up and try this white bean salad with crispy cheese? Trust me, it's worth it. And don't forget to subscribe to our weekly newsletter, In The Know, for more delicious recipes and entertainment news.
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