Crackers

Crackers are a crunchy and delicious snack that you can customize with various flavors. Here’s a simple recipe for making Italian-style crackers.

Ingredients

• 250 g of flour
• 1 teaspoon of fine salt
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• 60 ml of extra virgin olive oil
• 120 ml of water
• Spices to taste (for example, chopped rosemary, fennel seeds, oregano, chili powder)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, salt, and sugar.
3. Add the extra virgin olive oil and water, and mix until a smooth dough is obtained.
4. Incorporate the chosen spices into the dough.
5. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it slightly to make it smooth.
6. Roll out the dough with a rolling pin until it reaches a thickness of about 2-3 mm.
7. Cut the dough into rectangles or other shapes of your choice using a pastry wheel.
8. Place the crackers on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between each.
9. If desired, you can prick the crackers with a fork to prevent them from puffing up during baking.
10. Bake in the oven for about 15-20 minutes or until they become golden and crispy.
11. Let the crackers cool on a rack before serving.

Note: Feel free to add typical Italian dried herbs to give your crackers an extra touch. You can also sprinkle them with coarse salt before baking for a more intense flavor.

Fun Fact

Crackers have a long history and are believed to have been created for the first time to be a durable food that would not spoil during long sea voyages. The version with olive oil and herbs is common in Italy where they are appreciated for their rustic flavor and versatility.