Black Sesame and Charcoal Sourdough Crackers
Pantone’s 2021 Colors of the Year are ‘Ultimate Gray’ and ‘Sunny Yellow’, but classic ‘Black’ is never out of fashion. 2020 was certainly also the Year of the Sourdough Starter, but in 2021 I am experimenting with a fresh take.
These crackers are strikingly easy and delicious in taste. Don’t have a sourdough starter? Many bakeries sell sourdough starter, or you can always make your own. I am almost certain that someone you know will be more than happy to pass their quarantine starter baby onto you -- but only if you trust their baking!
For these Black Sesame & Charcoal Sourdough Crackers, roll the dough out as thinly as possible and watch the oven as though you are a contestant on the Great British Bake Off, as we don’t want these babies to burn! Ultimate Gray may be the color of the year, but it’s not for these crackers. Pair with any spread, cheese, meat, you-name-it of your choice for delightful snackery.
Make the dough – In a standing mixer with a dough hook, add the white Sonoran wheat flour, sourdough starter, charcoal powder, salt, olive oil and water. Blend until a dough is formed and knead for 3-5 minutes. Let the dough rest for at least 1 hour in a warm place. Wrap the dough and chill overnight in the refrigerator.
Preheat the oven to 350˚
Divide the dough in half and roll out to 1/16″ thick. Tip: I roll the dough between two sheets of lightly floured plastic wrap. I pull the top sheet of plate wrap off, the cover with a sheet of parchment paper and flip onto a 13” x 18” rimmed sheet pan.
Score into rectangles approximately 1″ x 4″ in size. Dock the dough, using a fork to prick the dough in a decorative pattern. This allows to dough to stay flat and not puff up. Sprinkle the dough with Maldon salt.
Bake for 20 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through the baking time. Check at the 15 minute mark for doneness. Transfer to a wire rack and cool to room temperature.
makes about 40 crackers
CRACKERS
- 1 cup white Sonoran wheat flour
- 1 cup sourdough starter
- 1 tsp activated charcoal powder
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- ⅓ cup black sesame seeds
- Maldon salt for sprinking