Raw Rosemary, Almond, Flax and Chia Seed Savoury Crackers
This recipe yields: approximately 35-40 crackers
Ingredients
1/2 cup ground golden flax seeds
1/2 cup ground chia seeds
2 cups water
3 cups raw almonds, soaked overnight, rinsed and drained
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 heaped tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped finely
Himalayan Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
Small sprinkling of finely chopped chili (if desired)
Flaked sea salt for sprinkling over the top (if desired)
Instructions
* Soak the whole flax seeds and chia seeds in 2 cups water and set aside for 1/2 hour to soften.
~ Use a food processor to purée the flax/chia mixture adding in all of the remaining ingredients, processing until it is a very fine dough. Use more or less water as needed, until the mixture is easily spreadable (not too liquidy; just slightly tacky to the touch).
Dehydrator method
~ With the back of a spatula, spread mixture thinly [approx 9mm (1/3")] onto non-stick dehydrator sheets. You should roll the dough thinly enough to ensure that your crackers are crispy. If your crackers are too thick, they'll be just as flavoursome, but will have less snap.
We use and recommend the Leader of the Pack ..... Akela Silicone drying sheets. These are our own company designed and produced sheets, giving top notch performance, and the best choice for a healthy product. To ensure nice even thickness of your crackers, place another non-stick sheet on top of the mixture and roll out with a rolling pin.
~ Score into rectangles, or any shape you can imagine.
~ Dehydrate at 63°C (145°F) for 45 minutes, then turn down to 46°C (115°F) or desired temperature, and continue to dehydrate until almost dry. This is usually approximately 4-5 hours.
If desired at this time, you may remove your crackers from the silicone sheets, putting them onto the mesh screen sheets. This often saves you from needing to flip your crackers, which may be required when leaving them on the silicone for the full process.
~ Either way you choose, peel the mixture away from the sheet and cut or snap into your chosen cracker shapes.
~ Continue dehydrating until crispy (about 10-14 hours in total).
** For Raw Foodies ... starting at a higher temperature for the first little bit saves time and also prevents possible fermentation. Because the food is ridding itself of water in the first stages, the food will never reach that higher temperature, so there is no concern that it won't remain raw.
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Now for the rundown on the benefits of all these delicious ingredients.
FLAX SEEDS
Flax Seeds Are Loaded With Nutrients
They contain all sorts of healthy components, including these main three:
- Omega-3 essential fatty acids, 'good' fats that have been shown to have heart-healthy effects. Each tablespoon of ground flaxseed contains about 1.8 grams of plant omega-3s.
- Lignans, which have both plant oestrogen and antioxidant qualities. Flaxseed contains 75 to 800 times more lignans than other plant foods.
- Fibre. Flaxseed contains both the soluble and insoluble types.
CHIA SEEDS
Chia seeds are among the healthiest foods on the planet.
These tiny seeds are a super-food that pack a lot of punch! They’re loaded with nutrients that can have important benefits for your body and brain. Some of their super benefits are:
- their high antioxidant content.
- their high protein content. They also have a good balance of essential amino acids, so your body should be able to make use of their protein content .
- like flax seeds, chia seeds are very high in omega-3 fatty acids, containing more omega-3s than salmon, gram for gram.
- they include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and protein, being great for your bone health.
Chia seeds are a whole-grain food, usually grown organically. Plus, they’re non-GMO and naturally free of gluten.
ALMONDS
Almonds are commonly called nuts, although they are actually edible seeds being the fruit of the almond tree. They are a high-fat food, but they are largely a monounsaturated fat, which helps to protect the heart by maintaining levels of 'good' HDL cholesterol versus 'bad' LDL cholesterol. They are a great source of fibre and protein, and contain important nutrients including vitamin E, selenium, zinc, calcium, magnesium and B vitamins, especially folate and biotin (vitamin B7).
ROSEMARY
Rosemary is a member of the mint family Lamiaceae, along with many other herbs, such as oregano, thyme, basil, and lavender.
The herb not only tastes good, but it is also a good source of iron, calcium, and vitamin B-6.
Possible health benefits include improved concentration, digestion, and brain aging.
Rosemary is a rich source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, which are thought to help boost the immune system and improve blood circulation.
So, there you have it ... crackers that are both delicious and nutritious!!
