I do not make New Year’s Resolutions, ever.For one, I fail enough at things, and do not need to add one more failure to the list, every single year.Two, what am I going to do? Quit something? I like having an occasional drink, and I do not smoke crack, so there really is nothing for me to quit.Or, should I say there is nothing that I would want to quit?I do not know.
But, I do, on occasion make goals.Sometimes I keep them , sometimes I do not.I recently decided I would like to cut down on processed snacks.I have already cut out a huge portion of processed foods over the years, but I still like a snack, or two, or three.So, that is a goal, and so that means making more snacks.Today, I made crackers.Go, me.
(This also counts towards my week of using a flour everyday for a week.)
Ingredients.
- 1/2 cup of walnuts.
- 3/4th cup of all purpose flour.
- 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour.
- 1 tablespoon of brown sugar.
- Teaspoon of salt.
- Teaspoon of baking powder.
- Teaspoon of cinnamon.
- Half a teaspoon of nutmeg.
- 1/4th cup of Earth Balance.
- 1/2 cup applesauce.
Ground your walnuts! If you have a mortar and pestle, and wondered if you would ever use it, this is that time!
Now, in a large bowl, mix the flours, salt, baking power,ground walnuts, brown sugar, cinnamon,nutmeg, basically all the dry ingredients.I probably should have just said that.But no, I went and wasted some time, and space.Oh, well.
Now, mix in the butter, using a fork to mix it in.The flour should begin to look clumpy.Making a well in the center,space, pour n the apple sauce, and then mix it , well.Yeah, I just used well twice, and used two different meanings.I am like that.Get used to it.
form a ball, and then two ball.On a floured surface, roll out the dough.You want it quite thin.Remember, these are crackers.Cut out any shape you desire; Triangles, squares, rectangles, hearts, I do not care.You could even use a small cookie cutter, if you want.Again, I do not care.Place them on a no stick sprayed baking pan.Poke holes in each cracker, with a toothpick, or a fork.
Bake in your oven at 350 degrees for about 12 minutes, or so.You will know when they are done.Do not burn them, as that will make you, and maybe me, sad.Cool them on a rack, and much away.You know you want to.
So, my carb week continues, nearing its fateful end.My vow to use flour in a recipe every day for a week is nearly over, and I am sure my waistline will thank me.But, it is winter, so carbs are good, no? Yes?
I do not know.Sounds good, anyways.
Friday night is a good night for snacks, so I thought I would make pretzels.Nice and warm, salty, with some mustard on the side.I chose to make whole wheat pretzels, so that way they have the allure of being somewhat healthy.They are not actually, by the way.But, who cares? it is Friday, after all.
Ingredients.
- Two packets of yeast.
- Cup and a half of warm water.
- Tablespoon of sugar.
- Half a tablespoon of salt.
- 4 cups of whole wheat flour.
- 3 tablespoons of melted Earth Balance.
- Kosher or larger sizes salt.
- Sesame seeds.
These are simple.Mix the warm water with the yeast, let it sit a few minutes.Meanwhile, mix the flour, sugar, and the salt.Now mix in the yeast and water into the flour.Knead your dough, for ten minutes.Cover, and let it rise for 45 minutes.
Now that it has risen, on a lightly floured surface,take smaller pieces of the dough and roll out into a rope shape.twist and connect dough like a pretzel.You can use a little bit of water to use as a glue.
Brush the melted butter on the pretzel, then top with the kosher salt, and the sesame seeds.Place on a sprayed pan, repeat.
Your oven should be set to 425 degrees.Cook your pretzels for 12 minutes , or till lightly browned.Serve with mustard, or eat as is.I made a bunch, so I froze most of them.You do not have much of anything preserving them, so if you think you will not eat them quickly, this is a wise idea.I am always full of wise ideas, or something.
