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We are the best guests you’ll ever want to have at a party. Why is that, you ask? Well, simply because we believe that walking through the door with a small gift is the least we can do for the organizer who will keep us fed and/or hydrated all night long. There are a lot of different ways to please your host. Depending on the occasion, walk in with a keg or a few bottles of Dom, and a smile will come to their face. Add a couple of platters of edible goodies, and they’ll thank you wholeheartedly. We know what it’s like to invite folks to your house, have them put their feet all over your couch, shovel down all the bacon wrapped dates, drink every Grey Goose Lemon Drop and then leave without so much as even saying “Well, it’s been fun.” It’s not cute! If you want to be a good friend, always come with something in hand. You’ll be guaranteed to receive more Evites than you can stand if you remember that one little thing. So to all of the hosts with the most out there…this one’s for you!
These savory little nibblets were not for a raucous fête. In fact, it was a catch up session with a friend. She supplied the rosé, cheese, a hammock on which to lounge and pictures of her recent trip to Paris. We brought a few of our favorite chocolate covered shortbread cookies, more rosé (you can never have enough) and these crackers to snack on as we chatted. The recipe is based on one from Ina Garten. Several people who made them actually thought they had the consistency of shortbread–cheesey shortbreads. After tasting one, we concurred, and so we’re going to call them just that. We found a great Australian parmesan at Trader Joe’s and decided to use it in this recipe, although you can use whatever you like. Just make sure it’s a fresh chunk, not the pre-grated kind in a tub. A few people also had trouble pulling the dough together, which we did not, but you can sprinkle in a few drops of water or milk if your dough is tougher than expected. They were great with slices of salami and even crumbled on top of a salad. If we had thought to save a few, we could’ve crushed them and used them to coat baked chicken. Oh well. We think you’ll enjoy them as much as we did, whether you hand them off as a gift or eat them all by yourself.
Rosemary Parmesan Shortbreads – Approx. 30 crackers (inspired by the woman we’d love to have as an aunt, the Barefoot Contessa)
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, minced
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 pound unsalted butter, room temp
3 ounces fresh parmesan, grated
Zest of 1 lemon, minced
1. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter until creamy and fluffy. Mix the remaining ingredients in a separate bowl, combining well, and slowly add to butter.
2. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide into two pieces and roll into small logs. Wrap both logs in plastic wrap and freeze for 30 minutes.*
3. Cut the logs into 1/4″ thick slices. Place the slices on a parchment paper lined pan and bake for 20-22 minutes in a preheated oven at 350 degrees. Cool completely on a wire rack.
*We actually prepared the dough the day before and left the wrapped logs in the fridge overnight. Surely, you can do what works best for you in your time frame.
Just so you know, we’ve been nominated for the 2009 Black Weblog Awards. Vote for us!
Click HERE for the printable recipe.
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I surely can do that in my time frame and will be bringing these to my next event, along with the fixings for bloody mary shots.
having a kid I float in different circles now so the evites are sparse for adult soirees – but arriving empty handed is a big no no in my book – these crisps look great!
Love savory cookies! These and a glass of cold Riesling would be so great.
I want to have Ina Garten as an aunt too.
What lovely cookies! The perfect thing to go with a few Grey Goose Lemon Drops!
rosemary parm cookies, these sound incredible!
These sound (and look) yummy. I’d invite you over to mine. : ) And congrats on the nomination!
Ah, lovely, lovely shortbreads – I’d invite you guys over in a heartbeat! And if you invited me over, well, you know I wouldn’t arrive empty-handed
Well I don’t go out much, but I will be making these for myself!
Yum Yum yum,..I would like to eat at least 5 of them,…MMMMMMMMM!!!
I’m the same way too. I have to bring a little something to the party. There’s no way I can go empty handed.
Those are some good lookin’ crackers. I have all the ingredients needed. Hmmm…. I think I may be baking some crackers today.
you guys can come over anytime! love the cheesy shortbread idea!!
oh and I agree with doggybloggy having kids does pretty much end hanging with people. Not bad it’s just different.
*Begins planning next party and begins to wonder how to get the Duo Dishes at attend a party on the other side of the country*
These crackers look great. How can they not be with all of that butter?
I’ve had this recipe bookmarked for a while. Thanks for all the tips. And ahem, I’ll take some Dom over a keg any day!
Pregrated parmesan is a disgrace. (I say this even though I currently have some Whole Foods pregrated parm in my fridge.)
But alas, you two are clearly gracious hosts and gracious guests. I’d be honored to have the pair of you at any of my parties! (If I actually threw parties)
Sounds like the perfect thing to bring to a party!
Oh yum these look great. Exactly the kind of thing I never get around to making and always think I should. I’m bookmarking this for sure–maybe this time I will!
These sound addicting! How come none of my friends ever make these when I come over? Heheheh. (Just kidding, if any of my friends are reading this.)
I could almost taste these cookies!!
You ARE the best guests!
Paz
You are so right. I can’t tell you how many times we have had guests come again and again empty handed. My aunt rita always told me “never go to a home empty handed. Bring something, nuts, candy, flowers or maybe some rosemary parmesan shortbreads.
Homemade crackers are a great party gift. Better than flowers — the guests will take care of putting them away! Yummers as always, Duo.
So true, so true! You are so right about bringing something in hand. I always like to arrive with a little edible treat, whatever that may be. It’s always appreciated!
Love the looks of those savory crackers. That shortbread looks perfect for my sweet craving!
You’re so right!… and your cookies… Yummmm…
These sound delicious! Great idea to bread chicken with them. I think I’d like to have you for an aunt! Or better yet a friend!
I thoroughly agree! That yes you’d be great guests and b that one should always arrive with something. I’m amazed at people that don’t to be honest but there are certainly some people that do that!
You are sure the best guest. Little home-made gifts always mean a lot… And the cookies are excellent
so true!!! vat a perfect looking short breads.. love it v much