Multi – Seed Whole Wheat Crackers with a Spicy Dip.

Crackers & Cheese…I love them! They are so crispy, crunchy and go really well a variety of sides…😁 perfect for parties or just some lazy munching. And I am a fan of munching..especially while I am parked  on my couch, watching television 😉 and so does Mr. PP 😍

But you see, we like healthy munching… Something light and yummy! And for that purpose, I always keep some popcorn ready in my pantry, along with some homemade ‘mathris‘ ..a kind of deep fried Indian savoury crackers. But deep fried isn’t always a healthy option..so we end up with oil free popcorn or some fruits for snacking..

So, I always try coming up with fun ideas for snacking. One such idea of mine is crackers… Healthy crackers!!! With a yummy, easy to do dip.. 👌 Crackers are nothing but savoury mathris ..simply baked. They are oil free and therefore a healthier option. They are a version of bread, except that crackers are very crunchy and crispy… usually small in size, either round, square or rectangular…but I am adventurous when it comes to shaping these …I put my cookie cutters to optimum use😀 …crackers can be flavoured with herbs, cheese, etc..anything that takes your fancy. Like I have used multi – seeds like poppy, flax & sesame seeds to make them healthy (seeds are known for their dietary fibre, omega 3 fatty acids and are fantastic anti – oxidants…a must in everyone’s daily diet ☺️) along with wholewheat flour. Crackers are often served as a palate cleanser between courses of a meal.

i like serving my crackers With some kind of dip or a salsa… However they taste great with cheese, preserves or peanut butter…or even soups. So this time I did a spicy dip for my crunchy munchies!!! The combination is superb…a finger licking good dip with some crackers are light on the stomach and yet filling. Anyways, let’s get on with the recipe…😋

Yield: 20-22 medium sized crackers & a small bowl of dip.

Equipment: a large mixing bowl, a rolling pin, a sharp knife / cookie cutter, parchment paper / aluminium foil, a skillet, a spatula, baking tray, a cooling rack

Ingredients:

For the crackers: 

2 cups wholewheat flour

3 tbsp semolina (sooji / rava)

1/4 cup + 1 tbsp (for topping) mixed seeds (poppy, sesame & flax..feel free to use any seeds)

salt to taste

1 tsp dried mixed Italian herbs

1 tsp chilly flakes

1/4 tsp coarsely ground black peppercorns

3 tbsp  + 1 tbsp (for greasing) oil

1/4 cup water (use more or less as needed to make a dough)

For the dip:

5 tbsp eggless mayonnaise ( can use with egg too)

1/2 tsp lemon juice

1 pinch salt

1/2 tsp garlic pwd

1/2 tsp paprika

Method for the crackers:

Mix all the dry ingredients in the bowl using a spoon. Take the water and 3 tbsp of oil in a glass and mix them well. Use this mixture to knead a semi stiff dough with the dry ingredients. Knead for at least 5-7 mins to make sure the ingredients have amalgamated well. Cover the dough and set it aside for 20 mins.

Preheat the oven @ 200′ C. Prepare the baking tray with the parchment paper or aluminium foil. Brush it with some oil. Set aside. Now, knead the dough once again for a couple of mins and grease your work surface, using the rolling pin, roll it out to a thickness of about 3mm. You can cut the rolled dough using a knife into squares / rectangles / diamonds or use a cookie cutter for any desired shapes. Next, place these shapes slightly apart from each other on the prepared baking tray…brush each of them with some oil and sprinkle some mixed seeds. Press the seeds down onto the dough a bit. Bake these for about 20-25 mins. Once done, open the oven door for 30 secs and close it again to let the crackers sit in the warm oven to crisp up further for about 5 mins. Remove the tray after 5 mins and transfer the crackers onto the cooling rack. Store them in airtight containers or serve immediately. 😋

Method for the dip:

Mix all the ingredients together and serve….that easy, right?!!! 😁

Hope you will enjoy these as much my hubby and I did!

Love,

Shreya 💞