Crackin’ myself up

The weather is getting cooler.

When I got to work last Monday the thermometer outside my office said 62 degrees.

The thermometer lies.

It was really about 58 degrees.

Do you know how hard it is to type a memo with mittens on?

Screw the memo.

I took some old TPS reports and made a small fire to generate some heat.

My co-workers did not appreciate being herded into the parking lot after the sprinkler system turned on.

At least it was warmer outside.

Working in an igloo means I have to be prepared with lots of warming food and beverages.

That means soup.

Everyday.

For the next five months.

I actually love soup and I love that I can make a huge batch of it on Sunday and either eat it throughout the week or freeze it for cold weather emergencies.

Yesterday I made a big pot of vegetable soup using some produce that was on sale. I can add beans or pasta if I’m craving something a little heartier or simply serve it with some whole grain bread and crackers.

I appreciate the convenience of store bought crackers but I discovered a super simple way to make them at home using just a few ingredients.  One ingredient might surprise you, but these crackers taste fantastic and are packed with energy boosting complex carbohydrates and fiber to help fill you up.

The secret ingredient?

Beans!

Place one can of beans in blender or food processor.

Combine with 1/2 cup whole wheat flour, 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, one teaspoon olive oil,  1/2 teaspoon garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

Mix until a stiff dough is formed.

Roll dough out on a flat surface dusted with flour. Cut into desired shape and place on baking sheet.

Bake in a 300 degree oven for 25-35 minutes.

The crackers are done when they are browned and the centers are no longer soft. They will continue to crisp up once removed from the oven.

These crackers are inexpensive, easy to make, and have all the health benefits of beans plus whole grains with none of the yucky additives commonly found in store bought crackers.

*Tidbit: If dough is too wet, add flour 1 teaspoon at a time until it rolls easily. If dough is too dry, add water 1 tsp. at a time until dough comes together and is easily rolled.

Baked Crackers

(Inspiration for this recipe can be found here)

1  15 oz.can (or 1 1/2 cups cooked)  cannelini beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup white whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon olive oil

1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Pepper to taste

Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees.

Place beans in food processor or blender to make paste. Combine bean paste with flour, olive oil, and seasonings. Roll onto floured surface and cut into desired shapes. Bake 30-35 minutes, flipping half way through if desired. Crackers are done when evenly browned and centers are no longer soft. They will continue to crisp up once removed from the oven.

Crackin' myself up

The weather is getting cooler.

When I got to work last Monday the thermometer outside my office said 62 degrees.

The thermometer lies.

It was really about 58 degrees.

Do you know how hard it is to type a memo with mittens on?

Screw the memo.

I took some old TPS reports and made a small fire to generate some heat.

My co-workers did not appreciate being herded into the parking lot after the sprinkler system turned on.

At least it was warmer outside.

Working in an igloo means I have to be prepared with lots of warming food and beverages.

That means soup.

Everyday.

For the next five months.

I actually love soup and I love that I can make a huge batch of it on Sunday and either eat it throughout the week or freeze it for cold weather emergencies.

Yesterday I made a big pot of vegetable soup using some produce that was on sale. I can add beans or pasta if I’m craving something a little heartier or simply serve it with some whole grain bread and crackers.

I appreciate the convenience of store bought crackers but I discovered a super simple way to make them at home using just a few ingredients.  One ingredient might surprise you, but these crackers taste fantastic and are packed with energy boosting complex carbohydrates and fiber to help fill you up.

The secret ingredient?

Beans!

Place one can of beans in blender or food processor.

Combine with 1/2 cup whole wheat flour, 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, one teaspoon olive oil,  1/2 teaspoon garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

Mix until a stiff dough is formed.

Roll dough out on a flat surface dusted with flour. Cut into desired shape and place on baking sheet.

Bake in a 300 degree oven for 25-35 minutes.

The crackers are done when they are browned and the centers are no longer soft. They will continue to crisp up once removed from the oven.

These crackers are inexpensive, easy to make, and have all the health benefits of beans plus whole grains with none of the yucky additives commonly found in store bought crackers.

*Tidbit: If dough is too wet, add flour 1 teaspoon at a time until it rolls easily. If dough is too dry, add water 1 tsp. at a time until dough comes together and is easily rolled.

Baked Crackers

(Inspiration for this recipe can be found here)

1  15 oz.can (or 1 1/2 cups cooked)  cannelini beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup white whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon olive oil

1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Pepper to taste

Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees.

Place beans in food processor or blender to make paste. Combine bean paste with flour, olive oil, and seasonings. Roll onto floured surface and cut into desired shapes. Bake 30-35 minutes, flipping half way through if desired. Crackers are done when evenly browned and centers are no longer soft. They will continue to crisp up once removed from the oven.