Poor Man’s Parmesan


Source : foodopera.blogspot.com

I can’t remember where I saw this idea but its been one on my list of things to do for a while. I love Parmesan cheese but as a weekly ingredient with all the other expenses these days (nappies and baby stuff) its not a regular feature. This recipe gives pasta texture and crunch and a lovely garlic flavour.

All you need for the basic mix some bread – any will do fresh, frozen or even stale and some garlic, Olive oil and salt.  To bump up the poor man’s Parmesan you can add herbs such as parsley, chives, basil, oregano, rosemary or chili


Other ideas with poor man’s Parmesan

  •  with grilled asparagus, capsicum (peppers) or aubergine
  •  with a fried egg
  •  with crispy ham, bacon, shredded corned beef
  •  with peas or edamame beans
  •  with garlic sauteed spinach
  •  with tinned tuna, salmon or sardines
  •  with rocket or baby spinach topped with walnuts
  •  with fresh or grilled cherry tomatoes
  •  with a marmite sauce (Nigella)
  •  with vegetable ribbons (carrots and courgettes)
  •  with lemon, chili, olives and anchovies
  •  with crumbled feta or blue cheese
  •  With steamed mussels
  •  with flaked smoked fish or a firm white fish

How to make ‘EASY’

  • Toast 4 slices of bread (or similar)
  • In a food processor blitz the bread with 4 cloves of fresh garlic, salt to taste and I added a handful of parsley from my garden.
  • Toast in a pan with olive oil until lightly browned.
  • Stir through steaming hot pasta with a good splash of olive oil. I added lemon and edamame beans to the photo above.
  • Simple, cheap and delicious
  • Vanessa X