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Seeded crackers with toasted spices

You can bake these simple but sophisticated crackers at home using this recipe from self-taught cook and sustainable food advocate Kate Walsh’s book, ‘Real Food Projects’.

May 30, 2016, updated May 30, 2016

Walsh created Real Food Projects, an active community of foodies who believe that cooking their own kitchen staples from scratch using local and seasonal produce is the best way to improve health and our food system.

She also runs cooking classes in Sydney and Byron Bay. Her book shares some of the essential cooking skills she teaches in these classes, as well as recipes for home-made granola, butter, cheese, bread, cordials and sausages.

Here, she shares her recipe for “bark” with aromatic seeds – the kind of crackers you can pay up to $12 per package for in gourmet food stores.

“Walk into any deli and you’re almost guaranteed to be gobsmacked by the cost of good crackers,” writes Walsh.

“But don’t settle for the cheap, cardboard-tasting ones from the supermarket – try these instead; they’re dead easy to make, the ingredients cost very little, and they taste so amazing you’ll never be tempted to buy crackers again.”

Crackers

This is a basic recipe, so feel free to play around with the toppings – smoked salt, different chillies, seeds, dried herbs and spices. Roasting the spices in a small frying pan will really intensify their taste, so please don’t skip this step. You can also try incorporating some different flours like spelt and wholemeal (whole-wheat), for extra character and flavour.

The crackers will keep well in an airtight container, so make a double batch and you’ll always have some on hand.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon fennel seeds
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1 tablespoon coriander seeds
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
150g (1 cup) plain flour
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for brushing
60ml (¼ cup) water, plus 3 teaspoons extra
1 tablespoon sea salt

Real-Food-Projects-CVR-resized

Recipe and images from ‘Real Food Projects’ by Kate Walsh, $39.99, Murdoch Books.

Equipment

Small frying pan
Large mixing bowl
Wooden spoon
Rolling pin or large bottle
2 baking trays, lined with baking paper
Fork
Wire cooling rack

Method

Preheat the oven to 200ºC.

Dry-fry your spices: In a small frying pan, gently toast the spices over low heat until they are fragrant; this should take about 30 seconds. There is no need to use any oil. This step is important as it brings out the beautiful flavours of the spices.

Mix your ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the flour, oil and 60ml (¼ cup) water, using a wooden spoon, until just combined. The mixture should be a little sticky and shaggy; you may need to add a little extra water, say about 3 teaspoons, depending on the flour and humidity.

Knead the dough: Tip the dough out onto a floured work bench, then knead for about a minute, or until the dough comes together; it should have the texture of a soft playdough. The best thing about this dough is that you can’t overwork it. Mixing it only a little will give you a flaky cracker; work it a lot and the crackers will be more uniform in texture.

Roll out: Shape the dough into a log about 30cm long and cut into eight pieces. Using your rolling pin, roll each piece into an oblong shape that looks like a crocodile’s snout. They should be as thin as a piece of paper. If they are too thick, they will be doughy, not crispy. They will also stretch a little more when you transfer them to the baking tray.

Add the toppings: Sprinkle each piece of dough evenly with the salt and the toasted spices. Gently roll the rolling pin over the top to make sure the spices are incorporated and don’t fall off when they are cooked.

Bake: Transfer to baking trays lined with baking paper. Brush with a little olive oil, then prick all over with a fork to stop air bubbles forming. Bake for 6–8 minutes, or until they are golden.

Cool and store: Leave to cool on a wire rack. When cooled, transfer to an airtight container and keep in the pantry. The crackers are best consumed within 2 weeks.

Makes 8

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