Heartfelt Crackers and ‘Butter’ that isn't

Name: Heartfelt Crackers and ‘Butter’ that isn't
Total time: 2400 s
Yield: 24 crackers
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: Crackers:; 1/2 cup chia seeds; 1/2 cup hemp seeds; 1/2 cup sunflower seeds; 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds; 1/4 cup sesame seeds; 1/4 cup poppy seeds; 1/4 cup linseeds or flax seeds; 1/4 tsp salt; 2 tsps of flavouring (see above); 1 cup water; pinch coarse sea salt; Hemp butter:; 1 cup shelled hemp; pinch sea salt; Za’atar:; 1 tbsp thyme; 1 tbsps marjoram; 1 tbsps sumac; 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds; 1/2 tbsp oregano; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp Aleppo chilli flakes

Laura @FeelBetter

Milton Keynes, England

I’m surprised to find that shop bought ‘healthy-looking’ crackers can contain oil, processed flour and even sugar so today I’m making my own from just seeds and water.

One of the most versatile ingredients that exists is hemp. Not only can it be made into fabric, fuel and medicine but it is super healthy to eat. Evidence has been found in Asia that it is one of the earliest crops to be cultivated, around 8000 BCE. It’s a complete source of protein, contains heart-healthy fat, rich in vitamins and minerals as well as having antioxidant effects and is good for the health of skin and joints. The King of England, King Henry VII, thought it was so important that farmers were fined if they didn’t grow it.

The secret ingredient to hold these crackers together is chia seeds. Once water is added, they become gelatinous. Any combination of the other seeds can be used as long as they add up to the correct quantity but the chia seeds are essential.

As regards seasoning, garlic or onion powder, pepper, chilli flakes or dried herbs go well. My favourite though is za’atar, a beautiful aromatic condiment that has been considered one of the highly prized ingredients of ‘royal ointment’ and traces have been found in the tomb of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun.

Back to the hemp … I’ve made a simple seed butter by throwing hemp seeds into a food processor. As they churn, they magically turn into a creamy butter which makes a good accompaniment to the crispy crackers.

I’m surprised to find that shop bought ‘healthy-looking’ crackers can contain oil, processed flour and even sugar so today I’m making my own from just seeds and water.

Laura @FeelBetter

Milton Keynes, England

I’m surprised to find that shop bought ‘healthy-looking’ crackers can contain oil, processed flour and even sugar so today I’m making my own from just seeds and water.

Saved

Ingredients

40 minutes

24 crackers

Crackers:
1/2 cupchia seeds
1/2 cuphemp seeds
1/2 cupsunflower seeds
1/4 cuppumpkin seeds
1/4 cupsesame seeds
1/4 cuppoppy seeds
1/4 cuplinseeds or flax seeds
1/4 tspsalt
2tsps of flavouring (see above)
1 cupwater
pinchcoarse sea salt
Hemp butter:
1 cupshelled hemp
pinchsea salt
Za’atar:
1 tbspthyme
1 tbspsmarjoram
1 tbspssumac
1 tbsptoasted sesame seeds
1/2 tbsporegano
1/2 tspsalt
1/4 tspAleppo chilli flakes

Saved

Steps

40 minutes

1

Crackers: Place the chia seeds in a mixing bowl, pour in the water and mix to combine. Leave for 10 minutes or so until the chia seeds soften as they will act as binding agent for the rest of the ingredients. Add the remaining ingredients to the chia seed mix and mix well. Leave for 5 minutes.
2

Pre-heat the oven to 150 degrees C fan. Spread the mixture onto a lined baking sheet and spread out to around 4mm thick using a spatula or bottle. Sprinkle with a light dusting of sea salt, score into the desired cracker shape using a knife or pizza cutter and bake for 30 minutes.
3

Flip the crackers over and bake for another 10-15 minutes until crisp. Remove the crackers, separate and place on a cooling rack. Once cooled, store in an airtight container until needed.
4

Hemp butter: Place the hemp into a food processor and turn it on. Gradually the seeds will break down, the aromas will be released and it will become a creamy and spreadable paste. Place in a jar and top with a sprinkling of sea salt. Store in the fridge.