Appetizer #17 - Toasty Cheese Crackers

 The Year of Appetizers

Appetizer #17 - Toasty Cheese Crackers

    My first comment is that the recipe says you can make about six dozen crackers with this recipe. I did not get near that many. This recipe comes to us from The Quaker Oats Wholegrain Cookbook published in 1978. This little cookbook has a lot of recipes that I want to try. For example they have Several "Add-A-Crunch" mixes that can be used how you like or in recipes they are included in.  Some of them would be awesome over plain, non-fat yogurt.  If you're watching your sugar, you could try making some of these with Stevia or other sugar substitutes.  Several recipes have special notations that show they are simple enough for kids to make (with the appropriate adult supervision of course).  This recipe is one of those. I'll show my modification in italics. 

    I am going to admit that this is definitely not my favorite appetizer that I've made, even with the addition I made of chipotle seasoning. I don't want this to deter you from trying it though! I didn't add a lot of chipotle seasoning, so it ended up not being really noticeable, but try it and add more if you like it. You could also experiment with adding your favorite seasoning or you could try the cookbook suggestions of oregano or basil.  

Ingredients:

2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (I used Monterrey-Jack)

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup softened butter or margarine

3 tbsps water

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 chipotle pepper seasoning (optional) or try your favorite seasoning

1 cup uncooked quick or old fashioned (Quaker Oats or whatever your favorite brand is)

Directions:

Mix together cheeses, butter and water until thoroughly combined. Add flour and salt and mix well. Stir in oats.  I ended up using plastic disposable gloves to make sure I got everything mixed together. Shape dough into a 12-inch log. Wrap securely and refrigerate for four hours. Remove from the refrigerator and cut into 1/8 or 1/4" slices and place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Flatten slightly. My slices were pretty stiff and I couldn't flatten, so I just left them as is. Bake in an oven pre-heated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden brown.  Remove from the oven and immediately remove from the baking sheet. Cool on a wire rack. Serve plain or add a dollop of salsa, savory dip or even pizza sauce.

Toasty Cheese Crackers