Spicy Sesame Crackers

After working this weekend, I took Monday off. Two great things happened:

1) I finally got around to making these crackers I’d been eyeing.

2) I went grocery shopping.

Yes, grocery shopping on a Monday morning is truly great. The stores are quiet, bordering on peaceful.  There are just a few polite moms, wandering the aisles. Everything is in stock, the produce is fresh. I could move slowly and take my time, not banging carts every time I turned a corner. It was wonderful.  I’m still glowing from the experience.

Now that I’ve revealed to you how obsessed I am about my grocery shopping, on to these crackers. Crackers- another item I never think to make at home but was curious to try.  These are hearty and crunchy and spicy all at the same time.  I like the addition of the sesame seeds, both for the way they taste and how they look.

Spicy Sesame Crackers adapted from So Good and Tasty

Makes roughly 24 crackers

3/4 c cold water

1/8 c olive oil

1 1/4 c whole wheat flour

1/4 c corn meal

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (less if you don’t like it so spicy)

1/2 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 T sesame seeds

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, pour in the olive oil and water.  In a separate bowl mix together the flour, corn meal, salt, and red pepper flakes.  Pour the dry mixture into the wet, mixing on low until just combined.  The dough should be slightly sticky. Remove the dough, bring together into a ball, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees, line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.  Mix together the remaining ingredients in a small bowl. Remove the dough from the fridge and place it on a lightly floured countertop.  Flour the top of the dough and your rolling pin.  You may need to do this several times throughout so the dough doesn’t stick.  Roll from the center out, getting the dough as thin as possible.  Once rolled out, run a spatula under the dough, loosening it from the counter.  Use a pizza cutter to clean up the edges, then transfer the dough to the baking sheet.  Brush the dough with olive oil, and sprinkle evenly with the sesame/spice mixture.

One sheet at a time, bake for ten minutes, then flip the dough and bake for another 2-4 minutes, until it’s lightly brown.  Let the cracker cool, then break or cut into large pieces.