Are you planning to create a charcuterie board for your next party or gathering? One of the essential elements of a perfect charcuterie board is the crackers. Crackers are not only a vehicle for your favorite cheese and charcuterie, but they also add texture and flavor to your board. In this blog post, we will teach you how to make crackers for charcuterie board in a fun and delicious way.
Recipe 1: Parmesan and Rosemary Crackers
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 1/4 cup cold water
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, combine flour, parmesan cheese, rosemary, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Add unsalted butter and use a pastry blender or your fingers to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add cold water and mix until the dough comes together. Shape the dough into a disk and wrap it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- On a floured surface, roll out the dough to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut the dough into small squares or use a cookie cutter to make fun shapes.
- Place the crackers on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Let the crackers cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutritional Information:
Per serving (1 cracker):
- Calories: 35
- Total Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
- Sodium: 50mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 3g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 1g
Cooking Time:
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Equipment:
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Pastry blender or fingers
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutter (optional)
Serving Suggestions:
These crackers pair well with creamy cheeses like brie or goat cheese, as well as with cured meats like prosciutto or salami. They also go well with a glass of red wine.
Variations:
- Replace parmesan cheese with cheddar or asiago cheese.
- Replace rosemary with thyme or oregano.
- Add a dash of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
Substitutions:
- Use margarine or vegetable shortening instead of butter if you prefer a dairy-free version.
- Use gluten-free flour if you have a gluten intolerance.
Storage:
Store the crackers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Tips:
- Make sure the butter is cold when you mix it with the flour to achieve a flaky texture.
- Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out to make it easier to handle.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make these crackers in advance?
Yes, you can make these crackers up to 3 days in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
Can I freeze these crackers?
Yes, you can freeze these crackers in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw them at room temperature before serving.
Recipe 2: Everything Crackers
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup poppy seeds
- 1/4 cup dried onion flakes
- 1/4 cup dried garlic flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 1/4 cup cold water
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, combine flour, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, onion flakes, garlic flakes, and salt. Mix well.
- Add unsalted butter and use a pastry blender or your fingers to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add cold water and mix until the dough comes together. Shape the dough into a disk and wrap it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- On a floured surface, roll out the dough to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut the dough into small squares or use a cookie cutter to make fun shapes.
- Place the crackers on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Let the crackers cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutritional Information:
Per serving (1 cracker):
- Calories: 35
- Total Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
- Sodium: 50mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 3g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 1g
Cooking Time:
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Equipment:
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Pastry blender or fingers
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutter (optional)
Serving Suggestions:
These crackers are perfect for a savory charcuterie board. They go well with all kinds of cheeses and cured meats, especially with cream cheese and smoked salmon.
Variations:
- Replace sesame seeds with flax seeds or hemp seeds.
- Replace poppy seeds with nigella seeds or fennel seeds.
- Use fresh onion and garlic instead of dried flakes for a stronger flavor.
Substitutions:
- Use margarine or vegetable shortening instead of butter if you prefer a dairy-free version.
- Use gluten-free flour if you have a gluten intolerance.
Storage:
Store the crackers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Tips:
- Make sure the butter is cold when you mix it with the flour to achieve a flaky texture.
- Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out to make it easier to handle.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make these crackers in advance?
Yes, you can make these crackers up to 3 days in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
Can I freeze these crackers?
Yes, you can freeze these crackers in
