Monday
Feb212011
keep on crunchin’
February 21, 2011
It’s been awhile since I’ve had a bowl of Scottish Oats. These are my favorite type of oats to make. I love how creamy they get but still have a slightly crunchy texture from the chopped up oat groats. I used to buy Scottish oats, but then realized you can make them at home from steel cut or whole oat groats [check the bulk bins]. It is definitely a money saver if you grind your own at home. I use my blender, which works much better than my food processor for this task.
Today I added 1T fresh ground flax meal as well. I’m hooked on grinding anything I can at home. It makes all the difference when you’re using flax-eggs for baking.
This bowl was stellar, but didn’t hold me over as long as my beloved buckwheat bakes.
In the mix:
Topped with:
Perfection in a bowl!
About an hour after breakfast, is when I started experimenting with socca crackers. The first batch was sweet and the second, savory. I think I slightly prefer the cinnamon sugar, but I still couldn’t stop eating the savory either!
I just love sesame seeds! This dough is awesome for topping with seeds because it’s really wet, unlike typical cracker dough. You just sprinkle on top, bake and they stay in place.
Sesame Socca Crackers [~48 crackers]
Loving the light, flakey texture.
Loving the slight garlic, sesame, tamari flavor.
Loving the CRunch!!
I thought these crackers would be perfect atop a salad. I made an Asian vinaigrette to go along with it.
Tamari Vinaigrette [serves 1]
*I used wheat free tamari.
The sweetness + juiciness from the oranges paired really well with the other flavors + textures.
Top with chickpeas or tempeh and avocado for a fabulous, filling salad.
Chris had Monday off, which was really nice. We relaxed a bit and also went appliance shopping. We have our dishwasher, washer/dryer, and gas range all picked out. Guess which appliance I’m most excited for?? hint: it has nothing to do with cleaning ;)
We will hopefully be closing on the house in less than 2 weeks now! So much to do!! I’m still deciding on kitchen design as well. I thought I was set on option #1, but have been refining the look a bit. We’re still going in the same direction color-wise, but I’m looking for a different backsplash and possibly a different counter. The cabinets will still be white and the floor will be some sort of gray/charcoal tile. I was checking photos of the backsplash I picked, and found numerous photos that are making me want to run + hide.
Not the exact color, but the style is the same. [source]
Eeek!
I’m searching for a much simpler backsplash now.
Like this. [source]
Or this. [source]
Or this. [source]
And so the search continues! Backsplash is expensive!
Night <3
Ashley
Today I added 1T fresh ground flax meal as well. I’m hooked on grinding anything I can at home. It makes all the difference when you’re using flax-eggs for baking.
This bowl was stellar, but didn’t hold me over as long as my beloved buckwheat bakes.
In the mix:
- 1/3c Scottish oats
- 1/2c water
- 3/4c unsweetened almond milk
- 1t cinnamon
- 1t vanilla
- 1/2 banana, whisked in at the beginning
Topped with:
- banana
- jelly
- walnuts
- coconut butter
- cocoa-nut almond butter [obsessed!]
Perfection in a bowl!
About an hour after breakfast, is when I started experimenting with socca crackers. The first batch was sweet and the second, savory. I think I slightly prefer the cinnamon sugar, but I still couldn’t stop eating the savory either!
I just love sesame seeds! This dough is awesome for topping with seeds because it’s really wet, unlike typical cracker dough. You just sprinkle on top, bake and they stay in place.
Sesame Socca Crackers [~48 crackers]
- 1/4c raw buckwheat flour [ground from raw buckwheat groats]
- 1/4c + 2T garbanzo flour
- 1/2c water
- 1T safflower oil
- 1T tamari [or soy sauce]
- 1/2t garlic powder
- black pepper
- sesame seeds [to top batter]
- Preheat oven to 375*
- Whisk all ingredients together [except sesame seeds], until there are no lumps.
- Line an 8×12” jelly roll pan with parchment paper [or grease the pan well – I used the oil/flour combo spray].
- Pour batter in pan and spread evenly to the edges of the pan.
- Sprinkle on sesame seeds.
- Bake for 20min until the top is cracked and edges are browned.
- Remove from pan and place on a cutting board.
- Cut into desired cracker size.
- Place crackers on a larger pan [or cookie sheet], so there is space in between them.
- Bake for 3-5min, flip and bake another 3min. Watch carefully so they don’t burn.
- They will crisp as they cool.
Loving the light, flakey texture.
Loving the slight garlic, sesame, tamari flavor.
Loving the CRunch!!
I thought these crackers would be perfect atop a salad. I made an Asian vinaigrette to go along with it.
Tamari Vinaigrette [serves 1]
- 1T olive oil
- 1t tamari [or soy sauce]
- 1t honey
- 1T rice vinegar [I use this brand]
- 1/8t toasted sesame oil
- 1T fresh lemon juice
- black peppter
- Whisk together with a fork until combined.
*I used wheat free tamari.
The sweetness + juiciness from the oranges paired really well with the other flavors + textures.
Top with chickpeas or tempeh and avocado for a fabulous, filling salad.
Chris had Monday off, which was really nice. We relaxed a bit and also went appliance shopping. We have our dishwasher, washer/dryer, and gas range all picked out. Guess which appliance I’m most excited for?? hint: it has nothing to do with cleaning ;)
We will hopefully be closing on the house in less than 2 weeks now! So much to do!! I’m still deciding on kitchen design as well. I thought I was set on option #1, but have been refining the look a bit. We’re still going in the same direction color-wise, but I’m looking for a different backsplash and possibly a different counter. The cabinets will still be white and the floor will be some sort of gray/charcoal tile. I was checking photos of the backsplash I picked, and found numerous photos that are making me want to run + hide.
Not the exact color, but the style is the same. [source]
Eeek!
I’m searching for a much simpler backsplash now.
Like this. [source]
Or this. [source]
Or this. [source]
And so the search continues! Backsplash is expensive!
Night <3
Ashley
tagged Recipes, buckwheat, chickpea flour, crackers, scottish oats
Recipes, buckwheat, chickpea flour, crackers, scottish oats
Reader Comments (85)
In the UK, scottish oats=steel cut (we usually call it pinhead though). Is your scottish oats kind of finer steel cut? Sounds yummy, a bit like coarse oatmeal maybe. I usually stock up on different grades of oats when I'm in Scotland. Have you ever made oat flour at home? I keep meaning to make muffins with that, I think they'd be lovely and squidgy. LOVE the socca crackers, btw. Bookmarked!
So hard to choose from all the designs I bet. I'm kinda diggin' that last one though. It feels more 'home-y'
Love the crackers & vinaigrette! Maybe I'll make both for lunch!
I am making those socca crackers the second I get home today :D
I actuallly like the 'eeek'-worthy design :p maybe I have busy eyes!?
These crackers look so good! Im normally not a cracker person but ive been on a kick lately and these shall be made!
I love the last two tile pictures! Anything made from "sea" colors looks good!
We are going to do a backsplash in our kitchen too and you're right, it is expensive! Although, I have yet to find one cheap upgrade when it comes to home remodeling. ;)
Love the crackers! Possibilities are endless with flavors! I like the last backsplash! Love the color and it's super simple!
Socca crackers! What an ingenious idea, Ash! Love it.
I love the new backsplash options. Sometimes simpler is better, especially when you're dealing with a small space.
I like the new backsplash options better! They allow you to focus more on the pretty cabinets :)
I love the green and the blue subway tiles. I am s sucker for good old fashioned rectangle tiles. The oats and the crackers look perfect!
Socca crackers sound so delicious, and I JUST bought a bag of buckwheat flour. Score!
xo
Great choice with white cabinets! You can't go wrong! There are sooo many options for blacksplashes, it's overwhelming! I agree, the simpler the better. I am a fan of square tiles, that are a bit larger. I think it makes the space look bigger! PS- Your cracks look delish. I need to invest in some buckwheat flour asap.
Okay, this settles it, I am getting some garbanzo bean flour this weekend, I will probably be the last blogger on the planet to try it, but better late than never. Those crackers, and the ones yesterday look SO good! I think I would take down a plate of those in no time.
I love the green-ish backsplash-very retro and modern at the same time!
Your crackers looks so perfect! I am convinced that homemade crackers are the only way to go now!
Yes! I love glass subway tiles, each of those styles you pictured are beautiful and simple.
o0o0o its gonna look so good! p.s PERFECT breakfast. once again ;)
I have steel cut oats. How long should I grind them to make scottish oats, and do they cook any differently than steel cut?
I grabbed a bag of steel cut oats this weekend (on sale!) and had them for the first time. I loved the creamy, yet crunchy texture.
Crunch is my favorite thing!! I had steel cut oats for the first time today, they were so good and creamy! Slash those crackers sound absolutely delicious, and I have all of the ingredients! Ballerrrr
oooh, i love backsplash option number 3 that you posted above. i love the calming blue color.
Wow...loved these oats !!!
I really like the photo of the last backsplash!
Good luck!
Hi Ashley! This house stuff is so exciting! Looking at the pictures of the back splashes reminded me of an episode of Dear Genevieve I saw a while back- It's on hulu and it's an episode called "eco-friendly kitchen" she renovated a small kitchen with white cabinets and a beeaaautiful greyish backsplash. It's not quite blue but I thought you might want to check it out!
I used to love putting crackers on top of my salads at school -- before the gluten started to be an issue. but you have the answer - socca!!
Mmmm those crackers look so good! The chickpea flour would give them staying power too.
Those crackers sound really yummy.
I actually like all of those backsplash pictures. I do love that cool mint green subway tile though, very calming.
Have you ever though about concrete countertops? It would look good with your blue/grey color scheme. It is what I am having installed and I am going with a grey color scheme in my kitchen, with pops of a warm chocolately brown and pumpkin orange.
I love something crunchy in my salads! I love sunflower seeds for that!!!
I rushed to Whole Foods after work yesterday and got buckwheat and garbanzo flour. :) I'm all ready to make those crackers! I think I'll try mine with poppy seeds!
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The green and blue "subway tile" is my favorite. I always loved the clean simple lines and the vintage-ish look it will give your modern kitchen. Good luck with your choice!!!
I'm totally loving the subway tile too!! Now it's just finding the color in the last photo...it was just a randomly posted photo on a blog and I can't find it anywhere!
What kind of buckwheat flour did you get? I didn’t have luck w/the one I bought..it tasted completely different [earthy, strong, burnt] than when I grind it from raw groats at home. If you don’t like it, don’t give up! Just grind the raw groats in your blender.
Yes! We're looking into concrete countertops for sure...however, they are a lot more expensive than the granite I like!! I'm so so so excited to have a light, cool colored kitchen that I can add pops of color to and change up when I get sick of that "pop!" :) Your kitchen sounds lovely!
Oooh thanks, I'll check that out!
I love it too but can't find the exact color anywhere!
yum! these crackers really are such a great idea, you are so creative! that salad looks delicious :)
Me too!! So good! If you grind them into Scottish oats [just pulse until powdery, with small chunks] it cuts the cooking time by about 1/3!
It doesn't take long at all. I pulse them around until it's powdery with some small chunks of the steel cut still in tact.
As am I! :)
Yes!! Just what I was thinking...and it will be perfect in this older house!
Just invest in raw buckwheat groats [not kasha, which is the toasted version]. I had a bad experience with buckwheat flour. It tasted nothing like when I grind my own at home. It was really earthy and almost burnt tasting. I bought the arrowhead mills brand. If you have a blender/spice grinder/coffee grinder you can easily make your own buckwheat flour at home!
you know, the few times i tried making socca, i didn't really like it too much. but i feel the need to give these crackers a try :)
What brand did you get?? I didn't have good luck w/the buckwheat flour I bought [arrowhead mills]..it tastes nothing like when I grind my own at home from raw groats. If you don't like it, just try grinding your own in a blender/coffee grinder/etc. :)
Yes! It really took seeing an example of the old backsplash in a kitchen to see just how crazy it looked...yikes!
Totally agree! It will be a lot calmer and allow for fun pops of color without being overwhelming. :)
Thanks girl!! You must try the cinnamon sugar version...next time I'm cutting them smaller and eating with almond milk. Helllooooo cinnamon toast crunch! :)
Haha...no..I still like it too, but it's just something I think I would get sick of. I'm excited to do something simpler and be able to throw in fun pops of color w/the decor...bright orange, or even purple!
Yes, the Scottish are a finer ground steel cut, but not completely powdery. They cut down the cook time by about 1/3! I haven't made oat flour yet, but have used it before and love it!!
The socca is a bit intense flavor wise for me, unless I put add a little maple syrup or a ton of spices and use as pizza crust. However, try mixing 1/2 garbanzo and 1/2 buckwheat/millet/quinoa/oat flour. It cuts the strong flavor, if that's what you don't like about it! :) I'm pretty sure you'll love the crackers though!