Parmesan Crackers
- 1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup ( 1/4 pound) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1-tablespoon slices, plus butter for preparing baking sheets (optional)
- 2 teaspoons freshly ground coarse black pepper
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- In a food processor, combine the flour and Parmesan and process briefly to combine.
- Add the butter and pepper and pulse until the mixture is crumbly.
- Add the egg and pulse again until the mixture comes together.
- Turn the dough out onto a sheet of plastic wrap.
- Shape into a log about 2 inches in diameter, and then enclose the log in the plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate the log until firm, at least 3 hours or up to overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 375F.
- Butter 2 rimmed baking sheets, or line the baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Unwrap the dough log and cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices.
- Arrange the slices on the baking sheets about 1 inch apart.
- Bake the crackers until firm but still very pale, 15 to 18 minutes.
- Remove from the oven.
- They are lovely as they are, and you can simply transfer the crackers to wire racks to cool.
- But if you want to try the second-bake technique, raise the oven temperature to 500F.
- When the oven is ready, return the baking sheets to the oven and bake the crackers until golden brown, about 3 minutes longer.
- Transfer the crackers to a wire rack and let cool completely.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week, If desired, warm slightly in a 300F oven before serving.
- Variations:
- Biscotti di formaggio e mandorle (Almond Cheese Crackers): In a food processor, combine 1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg and process briefly to mix.
- Add 1/2 cup ( 1/4 pound) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1-tablespoon slices, and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal.
- Add 1 egg, lightly beaten, and pulse just until the dough starts to come together.
- Add 1/2 cup slivered blanched almonds and pulse briefly just to combine.
- Pat into a log 2 inches in diameter, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until firm, at least 3 hours.
- Slice and bake as directed but omit the second bake.
- Makes about 30 crackers.
- Biscotti di gorgonzola e noce (Gorgonzola and Walnut Crackers): In a food processor, combine 1/2 cup ( 1/4 pound) unsalted butter and 6 ounces Gorgonzola cheese, both at room temperature.
- Pulse to soften and combine.
- Add 2 cups all-purpose unbleached flour, 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1 or 2 grinds of black pepper and process to combine.
- Add 1 egg, lightly beaten, and pulse just until the dough starts to come together.
- Add 1/2 cup walnuts and pulse briefly to combine.
- Pat into a log 2 inches in diameter, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until firm, at least 3 hours.
- Slice and bake as directed but omit the second bake.
- Makes about 36 crackers.
flour, parmesan cheese, butter, freshly ground coarse black pepper, egg
Taken from www.cookstr.com/recipes/parmesan-crackers (may not work)