Parmesan and Thyme Crackers
I am turning 30 in a couple of weeks and I can’t help but reminisce on the loads of fun I have had in my 20′s. I’ll leave those details for another post though because what has been consuming me is more so the “What’s To Come.” I’ve always been (or least have been told) a bit of an old soul but still felt that I had lots of growing up to do. So hear I am. I am supposed to be grown up already (or at least in 2 weeks). However there are a few things I’m not sure I ready to part with just yet. Among them:
- Programming from my neighbor state’s infamous exports – Jersey Shore, Jerseylicious, The Real Housewives of New Jersey.
- Having dessert for dinner.
- Learning the lyrics to new Brittany Spears songs and those of other pop stars we love to hate.
- My beloved UGG boots that are on my feet everyday from mid-October through early April.
And then there are a few things I’m not sure I’m ready to welcome with open arms:
- Flipping through the 1000 pages of the Sunday Times.
- Figuring out how to fold my unread pages of the Sunday Times on Monday while riding the 5 Train to work so as to not piss all the other sardines I’m packed into the third car with.
- HEELS – I’m sorry but they just hurt my wide, chubby feet.
- Vacationing on a West Coast vineyard (over my yearly girlfriend trip to see the many sights and sounds of South Beach…if you’ve been, you know the types of sights and sounds I’m talking about).
Although I’m not ready to vacation on a vineyard, I am ready to embrace solo drinking. Now, now – I’m not talking about binge drinking. I’m talking about that glass of wine you have at the end of the day to unwind and wash the worries of the day away. When I have that glass of wine, I want these crackers to accompany it. Super cheesy and crumbly, they are the perfect the only way Ina Garten know how to do perfect. And if wine isn’t your thing, I promise they are as tasty just by their lonesome.
Parmesan and Thyme Crackers
Ingredients:
1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
4 ounces freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 1 cup)
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2teaspoon freshly gound black pepper
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flourDirections:
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter for 1 minute. With the mixer on low speed, add the Parmesan, thyme, salt and black pepper and mix to combine. Add the flour and continue to mix until the mixture forms large crumbles, roughly 1 minute. If the dough appears too dry, add about a teaspoon of water.
Dump the dough onto a floured surface, form into a log, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cut the log into 3/8-inch rounds with a sharp knife. Do not cut straight down and instead use a sawing motion when cutting to prevent the dough from falling apart. Place the rounds on a baking pan lined with parchment paper and bake for about 22 minutes or until lightly browned, rotating the pan half way through baking. Cool and serve at room temperature.
Share
Rosa — September 27, 2010 @ 2:05 pm
Those look so good! Crackers are irresistible.
Cheers,
Rosa
naomi — September 27, 2010 @ 2:15 pm
These crackers look great. Eliana, I actually prefer my thirties over my twenties, but then again maybe it’s because I met my husband in my thirties.
I haven’t parted with any of the things you mentioned you don’t want to part with, so I’m in good company with you.
Duchess — September 27, 2010 @ 4:29 pm
Oh my these look wonderful! in fact everything here looks wonderful, I’m hooked!
Abby — September 27, 2010 @ 5:29 pm
I’m a salty girl more than a sweet girl. Give me crackers and cheese over a cookie any day! This is right up my alley.
Michelle — September 27, 2010 @ 6:02 pm
These crackers would definitely pair perfectly with a glass of wine after a long day. And ya know what? Being in your 30s will rock. I loved it.
Julie — September 27, 2010 @ 8:10 pm
These crackers look delicious. I’ve never made crackers, I need to give this one a try.
Congratulations on turning 30! I loved my 30′s. I felt great being a “grown up”. However, I don’t think it means you have to give anything up, within reason
Shandy — September 27, 2010 @ 8:20 pm
You have to stay young or you may grow up too fast and forget how. I know, I practice staying young every day . . . and so far, the practicing seems to be working out for me. Just the other day, I hid behind a door with a squirt bottle and waited patiently for hubby. Uhm, paybacks seem to be another story.
Moving on to a safer topic, your parmesan and thyme crackers look as if the aroma alone would be addictive. I can see your point of enjoying these crackers with a glass of wine, delicious!
Jaime — September 27, 2010 @ 9:07 pm
they look delicious. happy birthday
Bonnie — September 27, 2010 @ 9:49 pm
As soon as it gets light enough for me to go out and harvest some thyme I’m making these. They sound perfect to serve to my book group on Wednesday evening. Thanks a bunch!
Best,
Bonnie
Monique — September 27, 2010 @ 10:27 pm
well for a soon to be 30 year old- dang shorty- you looks amazing!
Seriously, you dont even look it. I’m about to card you as proof.
I love the learning how to fold the times… i was taught this when i had a marketing project and needd to check the stocks every day…. i still dont know how to fold the damn times…but they have apps for that – no folding necessary.
the crackers look all kinds of amazing!
Gloria — September 27, 2010 @ 11:54 pm
Your crackers look great. I would love one with a little crumbled cheese and nice glass of wine right now.
Congrats on making it to your 30′s. I’m just over half way through and I still sing Britney Spears and pop songs, watch trashy television and eat dessert for dinner! You can have it all girlfriend!
Marisa — September 28, 2010 @ 2:34 am
With you on the high heels thing! Flats FTW.
Can totally see myself with a glass of wine and a handful (okay a couple of handfuls) of these crackers, sitting on my balcony after work, chatting to TheHusband about this & that. Aaaah that’s the life.
Lori — September 28, 2010 @ 6:17 am
These crackers sound so great. I love making my own, but haven’t gotten around to doing it in a while. Now, all I can think about is holiday parties and these would be great for that!
Katrina — September 28, 2010 @ 7:56 am
Oh my goodness, I love these. I have never made my own crackers before but love the sound of parmesan and thyme together. Mmm.
Tracy — September 28, 2010 @ 9:49 am
These crackers sound divine – I’d love them with a hot cup of tea!
Ashley — September 28, 2010 @ 12:22 pm
Crackers, cheese and a glass of wine (a night!) is my kind of fun
I need to make these crackers, so I can have a glass of wine tonight! Happy soon to be birthday fellow Libra!
melanie — September 28, 2010 @ 3:17 pm
Wow–these sound really good! I hve never made crackers before. I will have to try this recipe! Happy b-day soon! The 30s are fabulous:)
newlywed — September 28, 2010 @ 7:40 pm
I’ve wanted to try that recipe for a while — thanks for sharing. Looks like yours came out great! Happy early B’day! And I refuse to read the entire NY Times ever, no matter how old I get!
Barbara — September 28, 2010 @ 8:22 pm
OMG, these crackers would be perfect with a glass of wine, Eliana. I am there with you on that glass of wine at the end of the day.
Cecilia — September 28, 2010 @ 9:52 pm
Eliana, these look scrumptious! They are cheese and cracker all in one, perfect for a glass of wine at the end of the day (or at any other time that it’s needed!).
Velva — September 28, 2010 @ 10:03 pm
As soon as I saw those parmesan and thyme cookies, I was thinking “girlfriend pour me a glass of wine.” These look really amazing. A perfect solo treat or a great appetizer for guests.
Welcome in advance to your third decade of life. Buckle down, it’s going to be an awesome ride.
5 Star Foodie — September 28, 2010 @ 10:54 pm
Scrumptious savory crackers!
Cheri — September 29, 2010 @ 8:56 am
Oh those look delicious! I will have to bookmark them for later.
I don’t think we have to grow up quite so fast as people want us to. Life goes too quickly to grow up all the way.
Roxan — September 29, 2010 @ 9:51 am
These savory crackers look delicious!
Super cute blog, by the way. I’ve added you on twitter (i’m monstroxity)!
Flourchild — September 29, 2010 @ 10:00 am
Yum they look very good!
My husbands from New Jersey! I love all the Jersey shows..I don’t watch them but I think just them being out there is cool!!
Shandy — September 29, 2010 @ 4:23 pm
Thank you for your wonderful comments on my post! Sending a Big HUG your way and happy, happy 30th birthday!
Kimberly — September 29, 2010 @ 7:15 pm
I can think of so many wines those crackers would be perfect with!
Incidentally, today’s New York Times Dining section online has a video of Mark Bittman making savory cheddar biscotti, which, if I baked, would definitely be on my baking “to do” list, along with these awesome-sounding crackers! ; )
Islandia — October 7, 2010 @ 9:56 am
I’ll soon be welcoming you to the 30′s club! these crackers look amazing and you’re so right – would go perfect with the after work bottle, um… I mean glass of wine.