Closer to Zero....Waste Not

In an effort to more consciously reduce waste, specifically packaging waste at home, I decided it was a good time to start making crackers. Estelle and I often enjoy cracker snacks, and it struck me how much we waste in packaging when we purchase simple products like crackers. We've been wanting to make crackers for some time, and when we were out a couple months back, I decided there was no better time to get to it.  Might as well start somewhere....besides, I love blowing up the kitchen, experimenting with food. This process reconnected me to myself and why I cook.  It's fun, and making great food is rewarding when your own hands feed your face.  I know what went into them, and feel good about putting it in my body.  That is one of the primary reasons I love cooking.  Moreover, I just want my food to taste good. When I'm in control, I take responsibility for making that happen. Sometimes it's great.  Sometimes you have to go back to the drawing board.  That's the experiment and the acceptance and the beauty of it all.

I found a basic cracker recipe in The King Arthur Flour Baker's Companion.  The glory of this recipe is the liberty with which it is written.  Recipes to me are like guidelines, and this one speaks to anyone who sees a recipe thusly, giving its reader several options for all of its whopping four ingredients: flour, flavorings, fat and liquid.  I just wanted a mostly basic cracker, and chose unbleached flour, salt and pepper, olive oil and beer (had an open can in the fridge, why not?). That's right Black Pepper Beer Crackers is what I made.      

The best part is inspiring my friends to do the same, and I hope that trend continues, thereby contrbiuting to less waste, even if it is on a small scale.  Step by step.  Thusly we walk forwad.  My dear friend, Kris is making some incredible almost-raw flax and rye crackers.  The perspective on what it takes to make one is eye-opening.  It doesn't take much to make them, but the processing value of any packaged cracker at this point leaves me pondering life in Babylon, as always.   

So for Beltane, here is my cracker recipe:

Black Pepper Beer Crackers  (makes around 36-48 crackers depending on thickness)

2c flour, salt and pepper to taste, about 6T olive oil, about1/4c beer, added by the Tablespoon

Preheat oven to 350°

In a large bowl, mix flour and seasonings, cut in flour to resemble small and even crumbs; mix in beer by the tablespoon-ish working quickly to gain a dough that just holds together. Using heavy strokes on a lightly foured surface, roll out the dough, trying to maintain one direction to encourage positive gluten strand formation.  You're basically making a savory crust that is going to get cut up and baked into crackers.  Roll to very thin (1/16-1/8 inch).  Brush with water and prick with a fork all over and sprinkle with salt.  Using a pizza cutter, cut into strips and then into desired cracker shapes.  I like the way the edges turn into countries, as if plucked off a map.  Bake on parchment-lined or greased sheets approx. 20-25 min or until they begin to brown.  Cool on rack.  They will crispen as they cool.  Store in an airtight container.  These will probably give you a bout a week, but they're so good, they won't last that long. Trust me. 

Merry Beltane!

CO

Comments

[Rain3an]

Crackers! So great. I love crackers.I hate buying them .Thanks for making me want to put my hands to my face.....