Rice Sesame Crackers

These gluten-free rice sesame crackers are an easy and delicious snack. My first attempt involved a mortar and pestle and resulted in slightly chewy crackers. Fast forward to my second attempt and they were easier to make and so very delicious. The addition of sesame puts them over the top. Eat them plain, or make a edamame dip to go with them; either way, they'll be gone before you know it. 

Introducing other flavorings like soy or garlic powder, maybe even some sriracha, would make this cracker an easy go to for upcoming parties.

rice sesame crackers

Rice Sesame Crackers

Makes approximately 36 crackers

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked rice, cold or room temperature (I used jasmine)
  • 1/2-2/3 cup water
  • 1/4 cup sesame seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt or soy sauce
Spooning the cracker mixture onto my well-used sheet pan. 

Spooning the cracker mixture onto my well-used sheet pan. 

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 F. Add cooked rice, salt or soy, and 1/2 cup water to food processor. Pulse until a mostly smooth paste forms. Transfer to a medium bowl, Add sesame seeds to combine. Add additional water until mixture is the consistency of thick pancake batter.

On a sheet pan (ungreased), add 8-10 teaspoons of rice mixture. Smooth into uniform circles with the back of small spoon. Place in oven and cook 15-20 minutes until crackers release from the pan. If the crackers continue to stick to the pan after 20 minutes, return to oven for 5 additional minutes. They should release at that point. Flip crackers and cook an additional 10-15 minutes until thoroughly dried out.

Remove from pan and cool completely on a cooling rack. Store leftover crackers at room temperature in an airtight container.

Processing the rice mixture.

Processing the rice mixture.


Chocolate Budino

My first budino was a meyer lemon version. I later adapted it to regular lemons and now I've converted this versatile little recipe into a chocolate variety. A budino is typically a sweet Italian dish that's somewhere between a cake and a custard. Cooked in a water bath, the top is light and airy like sponge cake, while the bottom hides a custard layer of awesomeness. The process is simple, just follow the steps and enjoy the surprising results. With one little recipe, you've got endless varieties of dessert!

chocolate budino

Chocolate Budino

Adapted from Craig Stoll's recipe, Chef & Co-owner of Delfina, San Francisco.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 3 large eggs, separated
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 4 oz. 60% cocoa bittersweet chocolate, melted
  • 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons whole milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Mixing the egg whites into the chocolate mixture

Mixing the egg whites into the chocolate mixture

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray eight 3/4 cup custard cups or ramekins with nonstick cooking spray. Combine 1/2 cup sugar, egg yolks, flour and melted chocolate in large bowl; whisk until well blended. Whisk in milk.

Using electric mixer, beat egg whites and salt in medium bowl until frothy. Gradually add remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and beat until soft peaks form. Fold beaten egg whites into chocolate mixture in 2 additions. Divide mixture among prepared custard cups. Place custard cups in roasting pan. Pour enough hot water into roasting pan to come halfway up sides of custard cups. Bake puddings until tops are golden and spring back when lightly touched, about 30 minutes. Remove cups from water. Serve warm or cold with whipped cream, if desired.

Separating the eggs

Separating the eggs