Fennel Poppy Seed Cracker Wreath Recipes

SEEDY CRISPS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl whisk together both flours, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, salt, and baking powder. Add the oil and stir until combined. Add the water and stir to combine and create a dough. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead 4 to 5 times. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces, cover with a tea towel and allow to rest for 15 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• For a thin snacking cracker: On a lightly floured surface, roll out 1 piece of dough to 1/16-inch and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. If there is room on the sheet pan, repeat with a second piece of dough. Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 4 minutes then flip and bake for an additional 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack. When cool, break into desired size pieces. Repeat procedure with remaining dough.
• For a thicker dipping cracker: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough as above but to 1/8-inch thick. Bake for 6 minutes on the first side, then flip and bake another 4 to 6 minutes.
• For super even thickness and easy rolling: Roll out using a lightly floured pasta roller. Flatten the dough until it will pass through the first setting and go to the highest number that your pasta roller will allow without tearing the dough. Bake according to the thin cracker instructions.
• Note: Baking times will vary depending on exact thickness of dough and oven temperature, so watch them closely. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

LEEK, FENNEL, AND POPPY SEED TART

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F. Toss leeks, fennel and 3 tablespoons butter in roasting pan. Roast vegetables until tender, stirring occasionally, about 35 minutes. Cool. Reduce oven temperature to 425°F.
• Whisk milk and yolks in small bowl. Heat 1 tablespoon butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour; whisk 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk mixture. Bring to simmer, whisking constantly; continue to whisk until sauce thickens slightly, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in 1/4 cup cheese. Mix in vegetables. Season with salt and pepper.
• Roll out pastry on floured surface to 12-inch square. Transfer pastry to 9-inch-diameter glass pie dish. Trim overhang. Fill pastry with vegetable mixture. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheese and poppy seeds. Bake until crust is deep golden, about 25 minutes. Serve warm.

FENNEL & POPPY SEED CRACKER WREATH

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Line one baking sheet with parchment. Place the flour, baking powder, butter, fennel and poppy seeds with ½ tsp salt in a food processor, then whizz for a minute until the butter is completely mixed with the flour. Add 100ml water and pulse until the mixture comes together to a firm dough that's not sticky - you may need another tbsp or so of water, if it still feels.
• Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface as thinly as you can. Stamp out lots of different sized circles using a selection of round and fluted biscuit cutters of 4cm, 5cm and 6cm diameter. Brush a little milk over the surface of the biscuits, and prick all over with a fork. Start to arrange in a circle on the baking sheet, overlapping each other. If you want to serve a cheese in the centre, check that it will fit. Scatter over a few more fennel and poppy seeds and bake for 15 - 20 mins until the biscuits feel dry and sandy with a slightly golden colour around the edges - they may still feel soft but will harden up when cooling. Cool on the baking sheet. Serve with cheese & chutney. Will keep in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.