Arizona Cheese Crisp - cooking recipe

Ingredients

vegetable oil, for deep-frying
flour tortilla
1 - 1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese or 1 -1 1/2 cup monterey jack cheese
1/2 cup picante sauce
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Preparation

Pour oil into wok to depth of 1 inch. Place over medium-high heat until oil registers 360\u00b0F on deep-frying thermometer. Slide 1 tortilla into oil. Using 2 slotted spoons, gently hold center of tortilla down so oil flows over edges. When tortilla is crisp and golden on bottom, carefully tilt wok, holding tortilla in place with spoon, to cover edge of tortilla with oil; cook until lightly browned. Rotate tortilla as needed so entire edge is lightly browned. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels, curled side down. Repeat with second tortilla. Tortillas can be made up to 8 hours in advance. Cover loosely and let stand at room temperature.
Preheat oven to 350\u00b0F.
Place shells, curled side up, on baking sheet. Sprinkle each with half of the cheddar cheese; top each with half of the picante sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, 8 to 10 minutes or until cheeses melt. To serve, break into bite-size pieces.
Chorizo Cheese Crisp: Remove casing from 1/4 pound chorizo sausage. Crumble sausage into large skillet; stir over medium-high heat until browned. Drain fat. Follow directions for Arizona Cheese Crisp but substitute chorizo for Parmesan cheese.
Olive Cheese Crisp: Follow directions for Arizona Cheese Crisp but omit picante sauce and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle 1/3 cup sliced pitted ripe olives and 1/3 cup diced green chilies over Cheddar cheese.