Kids said it tastes like Crazy Bread! [Archive]

Rawkinlocs

10-24-2004, 04:37 PM

Okay, so when Sweetlips first shared the Bell Pepper Cracker recipe with me, I tried it and admit that I had to substitute the red pepper for green as the store didn't have any other color than green and I had to substitute (in part) cashews with other nuts as I didn't have enough cashews on hand. The crackers were good, but different than what I have in there NOW!

This time, I followed the recipe to the letter and sprinkled some nutritional yeast and a little sea salt on top. I pulled out a couple and spread some of Alissa's Marinara Sauce on top. OH MY GOODNESS was it ever good! I made all of my kids try it and my little brother. They all (with the exception of my son) liked it and said it tastes like Crazy Bread (Little Caeser's Pizza's breadsticks). My oldest son hates garlic and therefore, didn't like the sauce on it, but liked them plain.

This is a real winner, especially when craving something "cheesy" and can easily fill the desire for pizza in my book!

Just wanted to share and in case you missed the recipe for the crackers here it is again:

"Bell Pepper Crackers" as previously posted by Sweetlips
=========================================

1 whole bell pepper (not green)
1/4-1/3 C cashews (can also use pine nuts)
salt to taste
spices (opt)- I used a little onion powder, garlic powder, and a dash of paprika
1 slice of jalopeno -Thankfully I had some that I had dried and stored!
1-2 TBS of nutritional yeast flakes (opt)

blend all ingred till smooth. pour onto a teflex and dehydrate over night, flip over onto the mesh sheet and dehydrate until done (not moist and a bit crispy).

Curtis

10-24-2004, 10:31 PM

Thanks Raw for the update on making this. On my calendar to make after juice fasting for awhile. :)

FEELIN'GOOD

10-25-2004, 12:36 AM

Oh Rawkinlocs, you don't know how I have needed something like this! I strayed from my challenge because of CRAZY BREAD! I even wrote it in my journal a few days ago! I'm starting the juice fast with Futterfly, Alissa and a few others tomorrow, so this will be my light at the end of the tunnel recipe! Thanks a million!

Msgrateful

01-24-2007, 09:54 AM

Hi. Thanks so much for your many contributions to my raw lifestyle. You and RP have been a major help. I can't wait to try this recipe but am a little unclear regarding an ingredient. You said you followed the initial recipe to the letter but in posting the recipe you said not to use a green bell peppper. Do I use red or green? :rolleyes:

Beckla

01-24-2007, 10:23 AM

Wow - I SO needed this!! THANK YOU!!

luna99

01-24-2007, 11:06 AM

trinity082482

01-24-2007, 12:31 PM

That recipe looks so good! I should make some this weekend I'll have to buy some jalapeño and some yeast. :D

Tirza

01-24-2007, 12:40 PM

ooh, that sounds scrumptious! I'm not a bell pepper fan though, red or green, do you think it'd be ok with out it?

and did you make it flat, like a cracker? or shape it to look more like bread or a breadstick? I guess if you did a breadstick type shape, the dehydration would take longer right?

thanks so much!!
I am thinking that the red pepper combines with the nutritional yeast to make the cheesy flavor, so I don't think I would want to omit that. You could try though.

She says to blend all ingredients until smooth and then pour onto Teflex sheet. Sounds soupy to me. I guess you could cut them in whatever shape you liked.

I wonder how thick it starts out and ends up? I'm almost visualizing this as a cheesy chip...in fact...this is reminding me of a recipe I saw for cheese slices. It is also the same ingredients for cheese sauce. So if you just pour it on the sheet and dehydrate, you could stop while it is still sort of soft and cut it up for cheese slices. But a crisp cracker sounds SUPER.

Gonna go try it now.

luna99

01-24-2007, 01:24 PM

Gonna go try it now.

oooh, please let us know how it goes.

I don't see how red pepper adds to a "cheesy" taste.. to me red peppers taste GROSS! haha. but thanks for the suggestions!

Nini

01-24-2007, 01:38 PM

I just made these! I only had 1/2 red bell pepper, but I did it anyway. They SMELL cheezy and TASTE cheezy! I can't wait for them to be crunchy!

trinity082482

01-24-2007, 01:55 PM

"Bell Pepper Crackers

1 whole bell pepper (not green)
1/4-1/3 C cashews (can also use pine nuts)
salt to taste
spices (opt)- I used a little onion powder, garlic powder, and a dash of paprika
1 slice of jalopeno -Thankfully I had some that I had dried and stored!
1-2 TBS of nutritional yeast flakes (opt)

blend all ingred till smooth. pour onto a teflex and dehydrate over night, flip over onto the mesh sheet and dehydrate until done (not moist and a bit crispy).

Hi Rawkinlocs,

Is it okay to use onions and garlic chopped up instead of the powders? I don't have any of the powders mentioned. If I could mince it up nice and tiny would it change the texture dramatically?

:o

Nini

01-24-2007, 02:00 PM

Is it okay to use onions and garlic chopped up instead of the powders? I don't have any of the powders mentioned. If I could mince it up nice and tiny would it change the texture dramatically?

I'm not rawkinlocs, but I don't see why it would matter if you used a bit of fresh instead!

luna99

01-24-2007, 02:56 PM

I just made these! I only had 1/2 red bell pepper, but I did it anyway. They SMELL cheezy and TASTE cheezy! I can't wait for them to be crunchy!

that's promising.. maybe I'll only use 1/2 of one! mmmm.

Ama

01-24-2007, 03:41 PM

Do you think I can do it without the 1 slice of jalopeno? I don't have any of that... Can I add some chili powder instead or just leave it out... anyone have any ideas?

juliebove

01-24-2007, 07:25 PM

This is just the recipe I was looking for because earlier today I was wondering what to do with my red peppers that will go bad soon if they don't get used. I also have a ton of cashews because there were getting eaten like mad for a while and sure enough when I stocked up, they stopped getting eaten. I was also looking for ways to use nutritional yeast.

But I have a stupid question. What is crazy bread? Somewhere in the back of my mind I am thinking it was or is something delivered by a pizza place. If so, I've never had it. I'm not much of a pizza person. When we lived in NYC I couldn't bring myself to order from one of those chains when there were so many authentic pizzarias and delis out there that delivered. And after moving back to WA, I only ordered a few times from Pizza Hut when they were just around the corner from me.

Oh duh! Never mind. I saw Little Ceasar's breadsticks when I re-read that to get the recipe.

We used to have Little Ceasar's here years ago. In fact there was one near where I worked. I got their pizza a few times but I had to time it just right. They seemed to have only one kind available at lunch. Pepperoni. If I got in there just as they were putting the cheese on I could have them bake them for me without the meat. Otherwise forget it. I think I did get the breadsticks on occasion too but I was always too full from the pizza and salad to eat them.

For some reason, they didn't remain in the area and were all gone until recently. Now there is one open near my parent's house.

*Slinks off to the kitchen now to make this*

adiamond

01-24-2007, 08:14 PM

Apasaraw

01-24-2007, 08:21 PM

I can actually smell this it sounds so good! Maybe it's because everyone is makin' 'em.

Raw Jewelrylady

01-24-2007, 08:22 PM

I have these in my 'hydrator right now. I took a tiny taste of the "dough" and it was quite good, and they smell heavenly. I'm absolutely thrilled to find and try a cracker recipe that isn't made from soaked flax seed. I they're good for you, the crackers certainly taste okay, but I just can't get past the "slime" that is produced from the soaking the seeds. I'm sure it's just me, but even when I'm eating a flax cracker, I'm still seeing that icky premordial slime in my head, and it just totally turns me off the crackers!

I have high hopes for these being the answer to my cracker prayers.

Thanks for sharing. :)

I was curious if you are rinsing your flax seeds-as that gets rid of some of the slime. :D

I remember my first time working with them..I thought OMG what is all this slime. BUT- that is the oil that holds it together plus is SOOOO good for us! :)

You can make crackers with flax seeds by not soaking them & just grinding in a coffee grinder.

Lana

adiamond

01-24-2007, 08:31 PM

Well, since you asked, no, I haven't been rinsing them. None of the recipes said anything about rinsing so I assumed one shouldn't, though the thought of doing so had certainly crossed my mind. I had also wondered about whether or not I could make them using the same recipe but with grinding rather than soakinig.

I've only been rawing it for about 30 days, so I'm still in the learning phase, and suspect I will be for some time to come. So thank you for the tip. I'll certainly give it another try and either rinse (at least some) of the slime away or grind but not soak. What's the worst that could happen?

Thanks, Izzy ;)

juliebove

01-24-2007, 09:52 PM

I mixed this up and put it in the dehydrator and I must say it tastes more like cheese than any of the nut cheeses I've tried. I could swear it is cheddar! It's so good I'd even use it as a dip without dehydrating it. Can't wait to taste the finished product!

Raw Jewelrylady

01-24-2007, 10:59 PM

I am sooooo making this tomorrow !!! Thanks for bumping this up everyone. I have seen this recipe before, but never made it..Can't wait... :)

Lana

trinity082482

01-24-2007, 11:31 PM

I have mine in the dehydrator right now. It reminds me of salsa a little bit. I bet they will taste delicious!

juliebove

01-25-2007, 12:25 AM

I am thinking that the red pepper combines with the nutritional yeast to make the cheesy flavor, so I don't think I would want to omit that. You could try though.

She says to blend all ingredients until smooth and then pour onto Teflex sheet. Sounds soupy to me. I guess you could cut them in whatever shape you liked.

I wonder how thick it starts out and ends up? I'm almost visualizing this as a cheesy chip...in fact...this is reminding me of a recipe I saw for cheese slices. It is also the same ingredients for cheese sauce. So if you just pour it on the sheet and dehydrate, you could stop while it is still sort of soft and cut it up for cheese slices. But a crisp cracker sounds SUPER.

Gonna go try it now.

It was soupy. I just used a silicone scraper to take out small amounts and shaped them into rectangles like crackers. Too soon to flip them over yet. Daughter tried them and loved the taste but not the texture. But then they're not done. Still too wet to turn but I got overeager to taste them.

ChiChi

01-25-2007, 07:17 AM

That recipe sounds so good. Rawinlocks, I love your websites. The foods look great. I can't wait till you come out with a SOulfully Raw cookbook so I can get the recipe for your raw sweet potato pie. :D

juliebove

01-25-2007, 10:57 AM

Rawkinlocs

01-25-2007, 12:33 PM

I'm eating mine now! :D Doesn't remind me of bread in any way or even pizza but it's very good! It's a good thing I tripled the recipe because I already ate a bunch of it last night before I went to bed.

Yeah, they (the kids) meant more in flavor with the crackers and the marinara sauce combined that it reminded them of Crazy Bread (which is a garlicy/cheesy tasting breadstick from Little Caesars Pizza that you dip into their marinara sauce) not the texture. That cheesy flavor and the sauce combined is what was reminiscent.

trinity082482

01-25-2007, 01:36 PM

I think it tasted like pizza lol. Pretty cheesy too and I didn't use the yeast!
I would recommend this to anyone who want a cheese fix because its very rich. I was satisfied after eating 1 cracker. Yum :p

SeaGrass7

01-25-2007, 03:26 PM

It is yummy!

I added some thai seasoning instead of the jalapeno.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a350/seagrass7/Album%203/eBay%20Hosting/eBay%20Hosting%202/eBay%20Next/P1190011.jpg

Nimmanu

01-25-2007, 03:35 PM

What's nutritional yeast? :o

luna99

01-25-2007, 04:23 PM

good gracious this is good!!

I sorta played around with the recipe... here's what I used:

1 red pepper (even though I don't like them, and guess what? you can't really taste it!)
1/3 cup of pine nuts (plus about another handful thrown in later)
quite a bit of onion powder (sorry I didn't measure!)
3 tablespoons of nutritional yeast
a tiny bit of cayanne
quite a bit of italian seasonings
five sundried tomatoes

I think that's it!

I have it in the dehydrator now and when it gets a little less runny hopefully I can make them into little circles.. I'm thinking of calling them "pizza bites".

The sauce or whatever you want to call it (right when you're done blending it all up!) is sooooo yummy! I'm going to use this recipe a lot for friday night pizza cravings or 'pizza' and a movie!

thanks so much guys! I'll try to take a picture of them when I'm done if they come out pretty! *can't wait!*

luna99

01-25-2007, 04:26 PM

What's nutritional yeast? :o

it's a yeast that has a cheesy type flavor and is really nutritional. It provides protein, folic acid, and B complex vitaimns... but from what I understand, it's not *really* raw.

I use it anyway because if it's that healthy for me, I don't see why not.

CaptainSwab

01-25-2007, 06:10 PM

I'm drooling here. I can't wait to get to the store so I can try this...

juliebove

01-25-2007, 06:13 PM

Yeah, they (the kids) meant more in flavor with the crackers and the marinara sauce combined that it reminded them of Crazy Bread (which is a garlicy/cheesy tasting breadstick from Little Caesars Pizza that you dip into their marinara sauce) not the texture. That cheesy flavor and the sauce combined is what was reminiscent.

Ah... I was thinking they would be good with marinara. Or better still sandwiched in between onion bread with some tomato and lettuce!

Daughter just came home from school and loved the stuff. What little was left! Must go buy more peppers. I have jalapenos, but only green peppers. No other colors.

Nimmanu

01-25-2007, 06:20 PM

it's a yeast that has a cheesy type flavor and is really nutritional. It provides protein, folic acid, and B complex vitaimns... but from what I understand, it's not *really* raw.

I use it anyway because if it's that healthy for me, I don't see why not.
I would just look for "nutritional yeast" to find it? Not like brewer's yeast, or something?

Raw Jewelrylady

01-25-2007, 08:03 PM

Wow- It's really great. Cannot believe how much the recipe changes when you dehydrate.

I will triple it next time I make it as Denny loves it as well. :)

I think it tastes like pizza squares w/a kick as I put some jalepena w/seeds in mine. :eek:

Lana

Rawkinlocs

01-25-2007, 08:08 PM

Raw Jewelrylady

01-25-2007, 08:34 PM

Wow you guys, I haven't made this in about 3 years, but all this talk about it is making me want to make it again! I'm thinking of adding in some Italian seasoning herbs to the batter! Thanks for bumping up this thread!

Yes- You read my mind-as I am going to do the Italian seasonings in as well.

It really is good & I remember seeing this recipe float around a long time ago & I Never made it..shame on me !! ;)

LUNA...How are the sundried tomatoes in it...let us know..OK.. :)

Lana

trinity082482

01-25-2007, 09:25 PM

It is yummy!

I added some thai seasoning instead of the jalapeno.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a350/seagrass7/Album%203/eBay%20Hosting/eBay%20Hosting%202/eBay%20Next/P1190011.jpg

Wow seagrass! Those look 100X better than mine! How did you puree it like that :eek:

juliebove

01-25-2007, 10:19 PM

I would just look for "nutritional yeast" to find it? Not like brewer's yeast, or something?

It would be located next to the brewer's yeast and the can would look the same. Make sure that the kind you buy doesn't contain whey. Some does.

juliebove

01-25-2007, 10:22 PM

Wow seagrass! Those look 100X better than mine! How did you puree it like that :eek:

Mine didn't look like that either. It was a little more chunky and didn't spread out totally smoothly. It has some holes in it. Perhaps because I formed it into individual pieces and it spread out a bit.

luna99

01-26-2007, 07:58 AM

LUNA...How are the sundried tomatoes in it...let us know..OK.. :) Lana

well, in my opinion everything tastes better with sundried tomatoes! lol.

This morning I tried a bit and thought that maybe next time I'll use more sundried tomatoes as a base instead of the red pepper.. cause the red pepper flavor really came through more after I dehydrated it.

either way, they are super yummy! I'll post a pic later.. mine look like pepperoni cause I cut them into circles!

SeaGrass7

01-26-2007, 08:46 AM

I used a vita-mix and soaked the cashews overnight... it was very smooth. I wonder if it tastes better chunky though...?

luna99

01-26-2007, 09:45 AM

I just let the SAD ladies I work with try it and they were raving about it! and they usually look at the food I bring to work with a face like this: :confused:

adiamond

01-26-2007, 08:33 PM

I've been generally underwhelmed with my dehydrating experience so far, and was contemplating selling my dehydrator; but after trying the falafals (with the yummy dill dip/dressing) and these Red Pepper Crackers, my un-cooking hopes have been restored. ;)

Thanks for sharing, Izzy

AICgem

01-26-2007, 09:08 PM

stupid question...blender or food processor?

Raw Jewelrylady

01-26-2007, 11:52 PM

I did mine in the FP..but next time it's Vita-mix all the way as I like things to be smooth.

although..they were awful darn good the way I made them...so either /or..How's that for an answer..LOL ;)

Well- I nibbled them up tonite-so I am trippling the batch next time..also -adding the sundrieds & Ital spices.. :D

Lana

PeachyMama

01-27-2007, 05:54 AM

luna99

01-27-2007, 10:34 AM

I have a bit of a silly question about these....

I know they're called Red Pepper crackers, but can any of you inventive ladies think of a substitute for the pepper? Peppers don't get along very well with me, and the feeling is mutual :o

try sundried tomatoes instead! i don't really like red peppers myself.... I did use them this time around.. but next time I'm going to try just sundried tomatoes!

luna99

01-27-2007, 10:35 AM

here's a pic of mine: they look like pepperoni! A doctor where I worked loved them and my fiance liked them as well.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/125/370854331_25730075ef_m.jpg

GreenJB5

01-27-2007, 11:14 AM

luna99

01-27-2007, 02:39 PM

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a350/seagrass7/Album%203/eBay%20Hosting/eBay%20Hosting%202/eBay%20Next/P1190011.jpg

how did you get such perfect squares? and those aren't flexible are they?

if I could take this recipe and make something that was flexible with it.. that I could use as a roll up for say nut cheese or something ... with a marinara sauce on top .. to make sorta a cannelloni or something, that would just be the best thing ever.

luna99

01-27-2007, 02:41 PM

Well- I nibbled them up tonite-so I am trippling the batch next time..also -adding the sundrieds & Ital spices.. :D Lana

mmm. tell me how you like them lana!

SeaGrass7

01-27-2007, 07:34 PM

lUNA, yes, they are pretty flexible...

I like them, but I am not in love with them like everyone else seems to be. That is why I asked if they might be better chunky...

I might try them again and use less Thai seasoning. They are a little strong...

I feel that if you soak the cashews and blend them in a VM that your idea would definetely work!

juliebove

01-27-2007, 09:39 PM

These crackers look great. I am new so I have a silly question. Should I soak the nuts first. Also what aisle at the store should i look for the yeast. i checked the baking ailse and could not find it.

Your regular grocery store might not carry it. Here I can get it at Fred Meyer. It's in the health food section next to the Brewer's yeast. None of the other grocery stores seem to have it. Not even then ones with a lot of health foods. My health food store did carry it but theirs contained whey. I had them order me some Red Star with no whey. They are good to order things for me.

GreenJB5

01-28-2007, 05:26 PM

Thank You Julibove!!!! I found it at Wholes Food market in the vitamins section. the bread turned out great. And this was so easy to make.

janicejourney

01-29-2007, 10:16 AM

These are definately my new favorite!!! I had to add a zucchini to double the recipe and I added some sun dried tomatoes. I used only jalepeno and no other spices. OMG sooo good.

Carmella

01-30-2007, 03:31 PM

Wow! Are these ever good!!!!!!!

Thanks Rawkinloc for sharing!

OK, I made mine with a few sundried toms as well, like Luna suggested, and they're just incredible! Our new fave too!

One question though, mine turned out really thin. How many trays do you get out of this recipe? I only got 1 and a third or something. Anyway, I'll make sure to double the recipe next time as I can see how they'll disappear in no time at all (esp with my cat eating them! LOL)

wyjoz

01-30-2007, 04:39 PM

Crazy Bread Sticks; that should be easy to make in the form of sticks? No? will give the sticks a try; thanks for this recipe. Joz

Doe

01-30-2007, 05:13 PM

how did you get such perfect squares?
Luna, I didn't see where your question was answered. When something is dry enough not to be sticky any more it can be easily cut with kitchen shears to make whatever shape you want. Then finish drying.

juliebove

01-30-2007, 09:03 PM

Luna, I didn't see where your question was answered. When something is dry enough not to be sticky any more it can be easily cut with kitchen shears to make whatever shape you want. Then finish drying.

Mine is more crumbly. I don't think I could cut it. But then I used the FP and not the Vitamix. I just shaped mine into little squares or circles.

Carmella

01-31-2007, 11:53 AM

I scored mine with a pizza cutter after a few hours, when I turned it onto the mesh.

Worked like a dream...

Tirza

01-31-2007, 07:22 PM

I saw that a few people on here don't like red peppers. I used to make this kind of thing as a sauce all the time using canned pimentos (and sometimes with agar-agar dissolved and added in to make it "jell" so it would be slicing cheese). Then I made it with red peppers and found it pretty close to the same flavor.

Tonight I have FINALLY put together a batch of these interesting crackers, with the red peppers and some dried tomatoes. I also remembered that I used to use lemon juice in my "cheese" sauce. So I juiced half of a lemon and put it in. Tastes great - just like my old sauce.

Then I thought I would try it with just dry tomatoes and no peppers. It really does taste fine without peppers. It isn't as orange, as I used my own dried tomatoes. Store-bought dried tomatoes are darker. But I do like using the lemon. I think it adds a nice bit of a tang.