Savory pastries made from mixed flour with cumin and cheese

Cumin and Cheese Crackers: A Crispy Treat for Savory Dishes

If you're looking for a hearty and delicious snack, cumin and cheese crackers are the perfect choice! These crispy bites are ideal for movie nights, festive meals, or simply as a little pleasure throughout the day. I have a passion for snacks and I admit that these crackers are among my favorites, perhaps even more than cookies. Get ready to discover a simple and tasty recipe that you can make with minimal effort.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 10 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Number of servings: 20 crackers

Ingredients:

For the dough:
- 300 gr whole wheat flour
- 200 gr white flour
- 1 egg
- 100 gr lard
- 140 gr margarine
- 100 ml milk
- 1 teaspoon yeast
- 1 teaspoon sea salt

For brushing:
- 1 egg yolk
- 3 teaspoons milk
- a pinch of salt
- cumin seeds
- grated cheese (optional)

Preparation:

1. Preparing the Ingredients: Start by gathering all the ingredients on a work surface. Ensure that the lard and margarine are at room temperature for easier incorporation into the dough. Doing this will yield a finer and more homogeneous texture.

2. Mixing Butter with Salt: In a large bowl, add the lard and margarine. Use a wooden spoon to mix them until they become a creamy composition. Add the salt and continue mixing. It is essential to be patient in this step, as a good incorporation of the ingredients will make the crackers tastier.

3. Adding the Egg: Crack the egg and incorporate it into the lard and margarine mixture. Mix well so that no lumps remain.

4. Incorporating the Flour and Milk: Start adding the flour mixed with yeast, alternating with the milk. This step is important for achieving a uniform dough. Continue mixing with the wooden spoon until the dough becomes hard to handle.

5. Kneading the Dough: Place the dough on a floured work surface. Knead it with your hands, adding a little flour if necessary, until it becomes elastic and no longer sticks to your fingers. This step may take between 5 and 10 minutes, but the result will be worth the effort!

6. Letting the Dough Rise: Cover the dough with a clean towel and let it rise for about 20 minutes in a warm place. This will allow the yeast to act and aerate the dough, making the crackers fluffier.

7. Shaping the Crackers: Once the dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface, forming a square sheet as much as possible. Use a knife or cutter to cut the dough lengthwise and then widthwise, forming small squares (about 5 cm x 5 cm). These will become your delicious crackers!

8. Brushing the Crackers: In a small bowl, mix the egg yolk with the 3 teaspoons of milk and a pinch of salt. Brush each cracker with this mixture and sprinkle cumin seeds or grated cheese on top, depending on your preferences.

9. Baking: Place the crackers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake them in a preheated oven at 180°C for about 10 minutes. Keep an eye on them! Depending on your oven, the baking time may vary, but we are looking for a golden and appetizing hue on top.

10. Serving: Once the crackers are ready, let them cool slightly on a rack, then enjoy them warm with a fragrant tea or your favorite drink. You can try pairing them with good cheese or a yogurt dip for an even more intense flavor!

Practical Tips:

- Ingredient Variations: You can experiment with different types of cheese instead of cheese or add dried herbs like oregano or basil for extra flavor.
- Serving: These crackers are excellent as an appetizer at parties or as a quick snack between meals. You can wrap them in aluminum foil and take them with you to the office or on trips!
- Nutritional Information: Each serving contains approximately 150 calories, making it a satisfying and nutritious snack, full of energy, thanks to the healthy fats in lard and margarine, as well as the protein from the egg.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Can I use only white flour? Yes, you can adapt the recipe using only white flour, but the crackers may become less nutritious.

2. Can I freeze the crackers? Absolutely! You can freeze the raw crackers before baking. Then, when you want to serve them, you can bake them directly from the freezer, adding a few minutes to the baking time.

3. What other flavors can I add? Besides cumin and cheese, you can add chopped olives, hot peppers, or even spices like paprika for a spicy taste.

I encourage you to try this recipe for cumin and cheese crackers, to enjoy every crispy and flavorful bite! Don't forget to share your culinary experience with loved ones, whether it's a family meal or a gathering with friends. Each cracker is a little joy that deserves to be savored!