---------- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.05

     Title: High-Tech Crackers
Categories: Appetizers, Breads
     Yield: 1 Recipe

     3 c  Hard whole wheat flour; or
          -more as necessary
     1 ts Salt
 1-1/2 c  Warm water

          OPTIONAL TOPPINGS

          Grated Parmesan
          Cayenne
          Coarse salt
          Sesame seeds
          Cumin seed

 Place the flour and salt in a food processor and process for 10 seconds to
 mix thoroughly. With the motor running, add the water in a steady stream,
 then process for 10 seconds longer. The dough should have formed into one
 large ball; if not, feel the dough: If it feels very sticky, add 3 to 4 tb
 more flour and process briefly until a ball forms. If the dough feels dry
 and floury, start the processor again, add 2 to 3 tb more water, and
 process until a ball of dough forms. Once you have a ball of dough, process
 for 1 minute more, no longer. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured
 surface and knead for 30 seconds or so. Cover with plastic wrap and let
 rest for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 500  and place two racks near the
 center of the oven. Divide the dough into 8 pieces. Work with one piece at
 a time, leaving the other pieces covered. On a lightly floured surface,
 with lightly floured hands, flatten a piece of dough with your palms. Then
 roll it out to a very thin rectangle or round, as even a thinness as
 possible to ensure even cooking. Gently lift the dough from your rollling
 surface and place it on a large baking sheet or pizza pan. Sprinkle on one
 of the optional toppings or leave plain. Using a knife or a pizza cutter,
 cut through the dough to make rectangular crackers. (Don't worry if they
 are not all exactly the same size. Variations in size and flavor will make
 your crackers interesting.) Spray the dough lightly with water and place on
 the upper oven rack. Begin rolling out the next piece of dough, keeping an
 eye on the crackers already baking. (Crackers brown from underneath.) Check
 on them 2-1/2 to 3 minutes after they go in. As soon as the thinnest
 patches of the dough have started to brown, take them out. If necessary,
 continue baking, checking every 30 seconds, but it is better to take the
 crackers out a little early than too late. You will soon get a feel for
 timing and degree of doneness. Variables that affect timing are the heat of
 your oven and how thin you managed to roll out your dough. When they come
 out of the oven, some of the crackers will be crisp, while others will need
 a little time in the air to crisp up. Transfer to a large bowl, breaking up
 any incompletely separated crackers. Roll out the remaining dough, season,
 and bake. When completely cool, crackers can be stored in a well-sealed
 plastic bag or cookie tins for up to a month.

 Yield: Approximately 13 dozen very thin crackers of varying size,
 averaging 1-1/2 x 2-1/2".

 Source: Bakers' Dozen, Alford and Duguid, TVFN.

 MM Waldine Van Geffen [email protected].

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