Before I get started talking about homemade crackers I would like to announce the winner of the “Is It Summer Yet?” giveaway.

The Randomizer has spoken…

Research Randomizer Results

1 Set of 1 Unique Numbers Per Set
Range: From 1 to 24 — Unsorted

Job Status:

Set #1:

7

Lucky number 7 is…

Anne said…

I went and looked, but I already knew what it would be: Summer at the Shore. If I could bottle Ocean City NJ air, I would do it in a heartbeat! We haven’t been for years and it makes me sad.

MARCH 24, 2009 10:20 AM

Anne, please e-mail me with your address so that Janine over at Things That Make Scents can send your your basket of summery scents.

It seems that everyone is trying their hands at making homemade crackers these days. Here’s a few links to get you started…

nosheteria’s cheese crackers

the Gingerbread Girl’s wheat crackers

Sparrows and Oranges homemade crackers

A Good Appetite’s Thyme Crackers

I decided to throw my offering into the ring. A simple cheddar cracker spiced up with fresh chives and dry mustard. The dough for these little crackers comes together very quickly. (I would have been making them much sooner had I known how simple they were to make! ) They bake up in no time flat and are fantastic served with sliced apples and candied walnuts. I decided to use my crackers for dipping and made a fresh apple salsa to go along with them.

Chived Cheddar Crackers

4 ounces cheddar cheese, grated
2 ounces parmesan cheese,  grated
3/4 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
3 tablespoons snipped chives
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
2 tablespoons water

In food processor, place all the ingredients except the butter and water. Pulse 5 times. Add  the butter and pulse again until the butter pieces are the size of small peas.

Add the water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and pulse just until the dough holds together. (if still crumbly add a few drops of water at a time and pulse until dough holds together)

Place dough onto waxed paper. Roll the dough into a log and secure the ends of waxed paper by twisting.

Place dough in freezer for 2 hours.

Preheat the oven to 375°F

To make the crackers, cut the log into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Arrange the slices on a baking  sheet 1 inch apart. Bake for 8  minutes. Turn the crackers over and bake for  5 more minutes.

Serve at room temperature with your favorite spreads and dipping sauces.

Apple Salsa

1 red delicious apple, cored and chopped
1/2 orange bell pepper, chopped
1/2 small red onion chopped
1 stalk of celery, chopped
4 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons fresh mint, minced

In medium glass bowl combine the red delicious apple, orange pepper, onion and celery.
In a separate bowl, whisk together lime juice, honey and mint.
Pour the sauce over the salsa mixture and toss well to coat.
Chill for several hours to combine flavors.

Have you tried making your own crackers ?