Day 12 … Togarashi Olive Oil Crackers

This is it: Day 12 of The 12 Days of Crackers and the final in the olive oil cracker series. When I was coming up with ideas for flavoring all these crackers, I took stock of my spice selection. To put it bluntly, it is a vast assortment; the accumulations of multiple development projects, travel adventures and an irresistible urge to buy interesting things. Digging through a cabinet, I noticed I had 4 or 6 different bottles of Japanese seasonings, the majority in the togarashi family. I should probably use them.

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Day 11 … Piment d’Esplette and Pecorino Olive Oil Crackers

Ten down, two left and the third of four in the olive oil group. Whew. Crackers, crackers and more crackers! Like the last post that featured za’atar, I’m bringing another unusual spice into the mix, one near and dear to my heart. Piment d’Esplette. As za’atar is the cornerstone of Levantine cuisine, piment d’esplette is the cornerstone of Basque cuisine. It is a variety of not too hot chile pepper that is cultivated in the northern territory of the French Basque, that magnificent southwest corner of France that is a little French, and entirely Basque.

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Day 10 … Za’atar and Parmesan Olive Oil Crackers

Got the hang of an olive oil cracker? Good. Because now we’re getting interesting. This one has za’atar, that cornerstone seasoning of Levantine cooking. If you’ve cooked from any of Yotam Ottolenghi’s books, chances are good you’ve got a jar sitting on your spice shelf. (Probably some sumac too, right?) So let’s use it, shall we?

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Day 9 … Everything Spice Olive Oil Crackers

Part Three … here we go. We’ve done four cheese crackers, we’ve done four savory shortbread crackers and now, for the final installment in the 12 Days of Crackers, we have the most crackery of the bunch: Olive Oil Crackers and the first one is a particular favorite … Everything Spice Olive Oil Crackers.

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Day 8 … Herbes de Provence Savory Shortbread

Alright. We’re at the end of phase 2 of this series, the fourth savory shortbread recipe and eight of twelve down. Next up we’ll move onto rolled olive oil crackers but for today, we’re using one of my very favorite herb combinations: herbes de provence. It’s a blend of dried herbs considered typical of the Provence region of southeast France and typically includes savory, marjoram, rosemary, thyme, oregano and for some reason only in the United States, lavender. Personally, I like the lavender addition here as it’s such a slight, complimentary flavor and in no way tastes like potpourri or soap as can often happen. Add some salt and pepper and maybe a little lemon zest and you have the best lamb dry rub ever. But I digress.

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Day 7 … Savory Shortbread Thumbprints

What’s a holiday party with a thumbprint cookie of some sort? Jewel like jam in the center of a buttery cookie? Ok, hold that thought. Turn it around, add some crunchy cornmeal to that buttery dough and fill the center with some sort of savory jam. Say, a cranberry or mango chutney or a tomato or fig jam. Before you know it, you have a delightful cocktail snack. I can attest that these are delicious with an ice cold martini. Oh my.

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Day 6 … Apricot Tarragon Savory Shortbread

Continuing on this cracker journey, and more specifically this savory shortbread journey, today we’ll take that base shortbread dough and add some fruit and herbs. First up was a spiced, salty olive version, today is dried apricots and tarragon.

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Day 5 … Mediterranean Olive Savory Shortbread

So we’re moving onto the next phase of the 12 Days of Crackers. The first four posts were cheese based; a buttery pie dough type of base with cheddar, blue, goat or parmesan cheese mixed in. Did it, done, in the freezer, right? Ok, moving on. Today and for the next four posts, we’ll explore savory shortbread. Buttery, crumbly, just a touch sweet and utterly irresistible. And we’re starting off the bunch with a Mediterranean olive version.

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Day 4 … Parmesan and Rosemary Crackers

Ok folks, last day of this cheese set of crackers. Today it’s the fourth and final one of the bunch and a classic combination at that: parmesan and rosemary. Yes, I did save the obvious one until last. It’s just that good.

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Day 3 … Goat Cheese and Chive Crackers

What is a cheese cracker variety if some sort of herby goat cheesy thing isn’t in the mix? Well, guess what today is? For Day 3, take that base cheese cracker dough, mix in some soft, fresh goat cheese, a bunch of chives and a clove of garlic and you’ve got a rather tasty little cracker.

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