Sesame and Fennel Seeds Wholemeal Crackers

I needed to bake something. Something to munch while waiting for a meal. Something that is savory and not filling. Something simple and tasty. Something you can make at home too. 

When I was in New York, I was in this restaurant few streets from Metropolitan Museum of Arts. It was recommended by our guide book to visit this market/ restaurant. We were the only ones in the restaurant throughout our meal. Food was good (not fantastic). But what strike me most is their pre-meal snack: Handmade crackers of different flavors. I thought to myself that these aren't too difficult to make. True enough! Easy as A B C!  

I would consider this crackers healthy as it uses wholemeal flour and a good amount olive oil. Just one thing to note. it burns easily because of the high heat baking. Keep an eye and especially for those hot spots in your oven.

Sesame and Fennel Wholemeal Crackers
Ingredients:
A) Crackers

• 1 1/2 cup All Purpose Flour
• 1/2 cup Whole wheat Flour
• 1 tsp Salt
• 3 tbsp Olive Oil 
• 1/2 cup Water

B)Toppings

• 3/4 tsp Kosher Salt (or Sea Salt)
• 1 tbsp Sesame Seeds
• 1 tbsp Fennel Seeds

Steps:

1. Mix the toppings in a small bowl and set aside. 
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk all purpose flour, whole wheat flour and salt. 
3. Add olive oil and water to flour and gather it to a ball of dough. 
4. Divide the dough into 3 smaller portions. 
5. On a lightly floured surface, roll into a rectangle about 1/18 inch thick. 
6. With a pastry brush, brush the rolled dough with water and sprinkle 1/3 of the toppings on top of the dough. 
7. Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into 2x4 inches rectangles. 
8. Repeat steps 5-7 for the other 2 portions. 
9. Bake the crackers in unlined tray at a preheated oven of 230 deg Celsius/ 450 deg Fahrenheit for about 8 minutes or until lightly browned. 
10. Cool on a wire rack. 

Coconut and Mango Friands

Hi friends, let's have friands! What are friands? This is my first time to get to know about friands and of course needless to say it is also my first time baking them. After tasting it, I am very  impressed. 

Friands means dainty or a gourmet who delights in delicate tastes (wikipedia). In addition to my internet search, friand is a spin off from financier which uses almond flour, butter and egg whites as key ingredients. However, friands, popular in Australia, has additional flavouring like coconut, fruits, chocolate and nuts. The rich and buttery cake amazes the tastebuds on the first bite and your mind will beg for for.. This 'phenomenon' is universal! My in-laws witnessed it too! 

Coconut & Mango Friands (12 portions)
Ingredients:

• 125g All-purpose flour
• 300 pure icing sugar
• 1 tsp Baking powder
• 65g Desiccated coconut 
• 90g Almond meal
• Grated zest of 1 lemon 
• 8 Egg whites
• 250g Unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 1 mango, chopped to make 1 cup 

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 180 degree celsius. 
2. Sift flour, icing sugar and baking powder into a large bowl. 
3. Stir in coconut, almond meal and lemon zest. 
4. Lightly forth egg whites with a fork. Add to dry ingredients with melted butter. Beat with a spatula. 
5. Fill the friands tray with batter to 3/4 mark. Top with mango.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Check with a skewer inserted into the centre and comes out clean.
7. Serve well with a dash of icing sugar.