Rosemary Sea Salt Sourdough Crackers

I’ve come up with a new marker of an excellent friend: one who saves you from sourdough starter fails, one who can help you feel like a sourdough winner and not a sourdough loser. Also, someone who helps you out so that you can make crispy, tangy Rosemary Sea Salt Sourdough Crackers and feel joy.

 

As I noted in my last post, I experienced Sourdough Sadness, as my starter – initially filled with yeasty hope – ended up dying off. My lovely co-blogger, Streusel – ever the problem solver – texted and announced that she was going to figure out how to send me some of her successful starter.

 

Like magic, a few days later, UPS dropped off a double-bagged portion of starter (with a now-melted ice pack). I cut off a corner, poured it into a mason jar (while, I’ll add, somehow managing to spill about a 1/4 of the starter all over the kitchen counter). Following Streusel’s pre-texted instructions, I started feeding on a regular schedule (in a much less compulsive manner, I might add). I texted her daily photos of my starter and eagerly asking when I could bake bread. She gamely replied each and every time and coached me through the process (I told you she’s a good friend!).

 

In the meanwhile, my dad sent me this article from the New Yorker, and similar to Streusel’s messaging, it was all about calming the hell down. While I admit I’ve never reached that level of peace (please), I did make the crackers she recommended. Thin and crispy, I added rosemary and flaked salt to match the sourdough tang. The dough comes together in a snap, rolls out easily, and a great accompaniment to and appetizer tray. Or, more realistically, as snacks-for-dinner for one during quarantine.

 

 

I made three dips to go with my crudités and crackers. From the left, they are:

• Greek Goddess – this came from NY Times Cooking. Per reader suggestions, I used only 1/4 cup oil and 1 clove of garlic. Also, just a tiny bit of mayo.
• Labneh Dip with Sizzled Scallions and Chile – from “Nothing Fancy” by Alison Roman, and also at NY Cooking. It’s a little like spicy hipster ranch dressing.
• Fromage Fort – an awesome cheese spread from Alton Brown. I use whatever was leftover in my cheese drawer, plus some inexpensive cheese from the odds and ends basket at Whole Foods. I think I had about a half-dozen different cheeses in my blend, and it was delicious.

 

All of these dips pair really well with the crackers – as I mentioned, they were nice and crisp, with a lovely sourdough tang that held up well with the dips.

 

[tasty-recipe id=”9479″]

Posted on May 24, 2020
This entry was posted in appetizers, baking and tagged appetizers, crackers, sourdough starter.