Crackers without additives

I've got this thing for crunchy food... especially Wheat Thins.

The other day I decided to have a few Sundried Tomato Basil Wheat Thins and as I was chewing my little snack I decided to read the ingredients. Then, I decided never to buy them again. Besides High Fructose Corn Syrup there were a few other weird ingredients like "DEFATTED WHEAT GERM." I didn't know that wheat germ was "fat!"

Anyway, the moral of this tale is that I decided to investigate cracker recipes that I could make at home. Being a bit of an admitted control freak, it's nice to know every last bit of ingredient I'm putting into my mouth and the mouthes of those I feed. Here is a cracker recipe that is tasty, crunchy, east to make and contains healthier ingredients:



My slightly modified recipe based on one from our good friends at the Food Network:

Even "Better" Chedars
4 ounces Wisconsin cheddar, coarsely grated (Why Wisconsin? Because rbst is not in use there)
2 ounces Wisconsin parmesan, finely grated
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened and cut into small pieces
2 tablespoons water,

In a food processor, place all ingredients except the butter and water. Pulse 5 times. Add the butter and pulse again until the butter pieces are the size of BBs. Add the water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and pulse just until the dough holds together. If the dough is still crumbly, add more water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until it reaches the right consistency.
Turn the dough out onto a large piece of waxed paper. Roll the dough into a log, 9 to 10 inches long, and square off the ends. Refrigerate, well wrapped, for at least 2 hours and up to 2 days. Or freeze it for up to 1 month. (You may want to cut the log in half or in thirds to freeze if you think you will want to defrost a smaller amount at a time.)

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees 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 to 10 minutes, or until the crackers are a light golden color. Turn the crackers and bake for 3 to 5 more minutes, or until they are golden around the edges. Cool on a rack. Serve at room temperature.

Housewives Hints

All of the above ingredients can be purchased organic which, I personally recommend.

These crackers are delicious with a slice of green apple or a bit of hummus (which you can also make at home, no MSG required!)

AND for those of you who use your freezer as much as I use mine, the dough can be frozen for those inpromptu cocktail parties (no guests required) you may have after work on a Friday night.

Host/Hostess gifts

'Tis the Season for Hosting!

I get excited around the holidays to host a party or two and, to receive invitations to celebratory events where I can indulge in good food, drinks, entertainment, and conversation but I'm always left wondering, "what should I bring as a host/hostess gift?" Afterall, I'm being offered merriment and a warm welcome - what can I offer in appreciation?

For Friends
If I know my host or hostess well, I can base my gift on something that might interest them. For example, a friend that is an avid gardener might enjoy some of the many flower bulbs that are available during the holiday season such as paperwhites, amaryllis or miniature daffodils. The bulbs can be presented in a colorful holiday bag or reusable basket. Someone who enjoys cooking will certainly appreciate an interesting bottle of olive oil, some exotic salts, or perhaps a nifty set of dish towels coupled with a spoonula or two.

Bringing Wine
A bottle of wine or champagne makes a great gift however, you may wish to present it in such a way that your hosts don't feel they have to open it at the party. Consider saying, "Here's a little something for you to enjoy down the road." If you present your gift this way, they will know that it's a special offering just for your host/hostess and that you don't expect them to open it and share with the rest of the guests.

Unfamiliar Territory
I was recently tasked with finding a hostess gift when my husband received a dinner invitation from his coworker. I had not met the coworker or his wife and, my husband wasn't, shall we say, a very good resource for ideas about a gift. This was a tough one because we were unsure if they would appreicate a bottle of wine (what if they do not drink alcohol) or perhaps a dessert (what if someone is diabetic?). I decided to bring a tasteful boquet of winter white roses coupled with some green and verigated Pittosporum. It was a classy boquet that hinted at the holidays without being cheesy (don't you just love glittered carnations?). And, just in case there was someone in the house with an allergy to flowers, the boquet didn't emit a strong scent like winter lillies might.


Gifts you might consider

A fancy ice cream scoop coupled with two pints of gourmet ice cream. I highly recommend the new Creme Brulee flavor from Ben and Jerry's.

A block of high quality gourmet chocolate and a chocolate chipper tool (a fabulous gift that I received lately!)

Stationary - Paper makes a great gift and, you will be supporting the lost art of letter writing in the process

Fruits of the Season - Fresh from the farmer's market, a basket of pomegranites, oranges, or persimmons will delight

Recommended Reading - A cook book, travel guide, or maybe even the latest and greatest Harlequin romance novel (oooh, trashy!) is a perfect fit for a host/hostess who is an avid reader or collector of the written word



Remember, a host/hostess gift is a nice gesture but in some cases, not necessary. If you've got a standing invitation to Sunday brunch and a football game at your friend's home then, a simple offer to help clean up is probably gift enough.





Have a question about host/hostess gifts for me? Post a comment and I will do my best to help you out.