Killer Crackers Food

HOW TO MAKE CRACKERS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450ºF. Line two large sheet pans with parchment paper. In a large bowl, sift flour, sugar, and salt. If using any additions, add them at this time. Add fat and water to flour mixture. Mix until combined; the dough will be tacky. Flour a cool work surface. Divide dough in two. Roll the dough halves to rectangles 1/8 inch thick. Brush dough lightly with olive oil. Cut dough into desired cracker shapes using a sharp knife or biscuit cutter. Prick the crackers with a fork. Using a spatula or pastry scraper, transfer the crackers to the prepared sheet pans. Be careful not to crowd the crackers. Bake in the oven 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. If the crackers along the edges bake faster, transfer them to a cooling rack and allow the remaining crackers to bake. Transfer crackers to cooling rack. Crackers will crisp as they cool. Serve crackers immediately or store in an airtight container on the counter for up to a week.

KIDS CAN MAKE: HEALTHY CHEESY CRACKERS

Steps:

• Whisk together the egg white, vinegar and 3 tablespoons water in a small bowl; set aside. Refrigerate the egg yolk in a small bowl, covered, until ready to use.
• Pulse the flour, salt, mustard, paprika and turmeric in a food processor to combine. Add the butter, Cheddar and Parmesan, and pulse until the butter is completely broken up. Pour in the egg white mixture, and pulse until the dough comes together in a ball. (It's OK if it's a little wet.)
• Place the dough on a large piece of plastic wrap, and pat it into a 1/2-inch-thick square. Wrap it up, and refrigerate to chill and firm up the dough, about 1 hour.
• Position 2 oven racks at the top and bottom thirds of the oven, and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment.
• Roll the dough out on a large piece of parchment (to keep it from sticking to the counter) into a 10-inch square about 1/8 inch thick. (Dust the dough with flour if you find it too sticky.) Trim the edges to straighten the square, then cut it into 1-inch squares (a pizza cutter works great).
• Whisk 2 teaspoons water into the egg yolk. Brush the mixture over the tops of each cracker. Sprinkle each with the tiniest pinch of salt.
• Bake the crackers, 2 baking sheets at a time, until they are deep golden brown on the bottom, about 20 minutes, rotating the sheets about halfway through. Let the crackers cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
• Store the crackers at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days, or freeze them for up to 1 week.

VAMPIRE KILLER CHEESE SPREAD MIX

Steps:

• Combine all of the dried spices. These can be stored for later use or used immediately.
• Mix together spices, softened cream cheese and wine until it is well incorporated and uniform.
• Stir in shredded cheese.
• Keep refrigerated until about 1/2 hour before serving. I recommend letting it rest in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the spices re-hydrate and the flavors to come out.
• If you have any left-overs they can be safely refrigerated and stored for up to a week or two in an air-tight container.