In Italian, we use the English word cracker. The singular and plural forms are identical1.
Another month without tragic tales of disaster to tell: does it mean that I am getting better at handling the challenges? It it probably too early to tell.
I liked this month's challenge as it asked us to make something I had been wanting to try for a while, i.e., crackers. And I like that the recipe was light, more in the style of a flatbreads than of crackers I am familiar with. Once again, I read the recipe, followed it, and things worked out fine. The result of my efforts was highly appreciated. It was appreciated so much that a crunching noise became the soundtrack of the house. A second batch produced the same result. And the third followed suit. Hence, if a constant crunching does not irritate you, I recommend you give this recipe a try.
First of all, many thanks to the this month's hosts, Natalie of Gluten A Go Go and Shel of Musings From the Fishbowl. They left us free to top the crackers however we liked. And they asked us to create an accompaniment (dip, spread, relish or salsa) for them that was vegan and gluten free (vegano e senza glutine).
For my decoration, I simply opened the cupboard where my spices are jumbled together (disorder there reigns supreme) and let my hands go wherever they wanted. They chose semi di sesamo (sesame seeds), semi di papavero (poppy seeds), paprica (paprika), cumino (cumin), sale marino con tè verde matcha (matcha salt), zucchero non raffinato e cannella (unrefined sugar and cinnamon).
To go with the Lavash crackers, I made a batch of plum spread using agave nectar instead of honey (which I have been using to make my fruit spread local, but is not vegan). I don't call it plum jam, because the proportion of sweetener to fruit I use is about 1 to 10. For some reason, I don't feel comfortable about using pectin, so I just let my fruit spread simmer longer. The beautiful color comes from deep purple prugne I got at our farmers' market.
I hope you will take the time to go around and look at the gorgeous creations of my talented fellow Daring Bakers.
1However, on Italian cracker packages one can often find crackers printed.
Click on the button to hear me pronounce the Italian words mentioned in the post:
or launch the Lavash cracker audio file [mp3].
Plum spread sounds wonderful for your beautiful crackers. I also don't like to use pectin when I am making jams or jellies.
Posted by: ELRA | September 27, 2008 at 10:20 AM
I've never made crackers Simona. Something I will consider now. I really like your eclectic mix of toppings and that purple plum spread looks divine!
Posted by: Lori Lynn @ Taste With The Eyes | September 27, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Brava! I love the spread of prugne that you made. It's one of my very favourite fruits!
Posted by: Ivonne | September 27, 2008 at 12:12 PM
I love the sound of your mixed spice topping for the crackers. Very eclectic!
Posted by: Angela | September 27, 2008 at 03:25 PM
I can't tell you how impressed I am that you made crackers, Simona. I've been thinking of trying my hand at them for some time. They look perfect, and I really love the toppings. Matcha salt is a new one for me.
Posted by: Susan | September 28, 2008 at 02:14 PM
Great job! Looks delicious. Glad there were no mishaps.
Paz
Posted by: Paz | September 28, 2008 at 04:17 PM
ciao Simona, complimenti per questi crackers, ne assaggerei volentieri uno....
comunque, non so se da voi vi scambiate dei premi, ma qui ce ne sarebbe uno per te...poi vedi tu se passarlo a qualcuno, baci e a presto.
Posted by: astrofiammante | September 29, 2008 at 05:42 AM
Thanks, Elra. I am glad you share my distrust for pectin.
I recommend this recipe, Lori Lynn.
Ciao Ivonne. I hope you got to eat prugne when you were in Italy last month.
Hi Susan. The were easier than I thought, really. I got matcha salt where I get my tea: http://www.dragonwater.com/product_detail.tf/923_matcha_salt.html
Thanks Paz, me too!
Ciao Astro: sono buoni e non sono difficili da fare. Grazie infinite del premio!
Posted by: Simona | September 30, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Best of luck.
Posted by: Jorge | September 30, 2008 at 11:21 PM
Does one say "il cracker" or "lo cracker"? The plural, I presume, is "i cracker."
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Posted by: Peter | October 01, 2008 at 11:12 PM
Thanks Jorge.
Hi Peter. We say il cracker and, yes, for the plural, i cracker.
Posted by: Simona | October 03, 2008 at 08:24 AM
I have a prugna tree but the only ones who eat them are the raccoons!
Well done!
Posted by: BC | October 03, 2008 at 03:50 PM
It's a bit sad that you cannot harvest any plums from your tree. Raccoons tend to be greedy.
Posted by: Simona | October 10, 2008 at 01:07 AM
How did I miss this post? People, there was joyful crunching around our house too, due to the crackers that Simona left for us to enjoy.
Posted by: Christine | October 18, 2008 at 05:39 PM
So glad you liked them, Christine.
Posted by: Simona | October 21, 2008 at 09:19 AM