Sourdough Bacon, Rosemary, and Cracked Peppercorn Crackers

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups “Fresh” Sourdough Starter, preferably white or wheat flour starter
• ¾ teaspoon sea salt
• 1 tablespoon Fresh Rosemary, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon Peppercorns, coarsely cracked
• 6 tablespoons Room Temperature Bacon Fat, or similar fat
• 1 ½ cups Whole Wheat Flour or Sprouted Wheat Flour, preferably freshly ground and sifted to remove some of the bran before measuring

Directions:

Place the sourdough starter in a medium-sized non reactive bowl that has a lid. Stir in salt, rosemary, pepper, and bacon fat until thoroughly blended.

Add sifted whole wheat flour to the starter mixture. Use your hands to mix it in well. Knead the dough briefly right in the bowl; cover and let proof at room temperature about 8 hours or overnight.

When ready to bake, divide the dough in three pieces. Roll out each piece of dough on a piece of parchment paper or an 11½ x 16½-inch Silpat baking mat. There is enough fat in the dough to keep the rolling pin from sticking. Be sure the dough is rolled as thin as possible.

Score the dough in 2-inch squares, using a rolling pizza cutter or a sharp knife. Prick each square with the tines of a fork to keep the dough from puffing up as it bakes. Sprinkle the dough with additional sea salt (and pepper if desired), pressing it lightly into the dough with the palm of your hand.

Slide the Silpat mat or parchment paper onto a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350° (325° for convection) for about 15 minutes, checking frequently after 10 minutes to make sure crackers are not getting too brown. You may need to remove the outer rows of crackers before the center rows are fully baked, as the entire tray of dough does not always bake evenly. Crackers should be a nice golden brown, not dark brown, and thoroughly dry to the touch. Cool on a rack, separating any crackers that did not already break apart at the score lines. Store in an air-tight container at room temperature for a week or freeze for longer storage.

Note: This dough can be frozen after it has “proofed” overnight. Defrost for 1-2 hours before rolling out and baking as directed above.

*Recipe from Cultures for Health