Homemade Cheese Crackers with Gouda, Rosemary and Walnuts

I have admittedly been a bit absent as of late.  There’s no particular rhyme or reason.  I guess I’ve just been busy.

Wait, wait, wait, let’s take a step back.  There are two types of busy in my mind.  There are inherently busy people, those who work long hours or multiple jobs, have kiddos to juggle, or hold down both studies and a full-time job.  And then there are people who keep busy.  When they aren’t planning way too many social engagements, they say “yes” to every event or invite that sounds like a good time.  To clarify, I am the latter: busy doing lots of very unimportant things.

And furthermore, whatever type of busy you are, I find people who are always talking about how busy they are really annoying.  {{THIS ARTICLE HITS THE NAIL ON THE HEAD}}.  Everyone is “busy,” it’s all about prioritization.  So let’s rephrase: I am not busy; this little place I’ve carved out on the Internet just hasn’t seemed like a priority as of late.

Regardless of what type of busy (or not busy) you may be, I have good news for you about these crackers: they’re easy!  When I asked Em on Tuesday what we could bring for our dinner party on Friday she said an appetizer, but that she had a craving for some homemade cheese straws or cheese crackers (Cheese?  Shocking!).  My first thought (after “what’s a cheese straw?!”) was when the heck I’d find the time to make these given that I’d fully packed my schedule every night that week.  Luckily, when I poked around for recipes, I found that they’d be totally doable.  I made the dough over my lunch break on Thursday, refrigerated it over night and cooked them up before work on Friday!
The great thing about these crackers is that they’re totally adaptable.  You can easily substitute whatever grated cheese or nut you have on hand; you can substitute your favorite herb for the rosemary, or even add sriracha, chili flakes or cayenne to give them a kick.  The only thing you can’t do is eat just one.

Homemade Cheese Crackers with Gouda, Rosemary and Walnuts

Adapted from Savoring Time in the Kitchen

Ingredients:

4 oz butter
8 oz Gouda cheese, grated
6 oz all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp sea salt
2 oz finely chopped walnuts
3-4 T fresh rosemary (or 2-3 T dried)
Parmesan and additional sea salt to sprinkle on crackers (optional)

Instructions:

• In the bowl of your stand mixer, cream the butter; add shredded cheese and mix well.  Add the flour and salt and mix well.  Finally blend in the nuts and rosemary.
• Roll out into 3 logs, about 1 1/2 in diameter.  Chill at least 1 hour (or even overnight if desired).
• Cut into slices about 1/8 in thick and place on a parchment-lined sheet pan.  Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and parmesan.
• Bake at 350°F for until crisp.  This will vary anywhere from 8-16 minutes depending on your oven.  Just keep an eye on them, you want them to get a nice golden color.
• Allow to cool and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Johanna