GREEN-PEPPERCORN CORNMEAL CRACKERS

Green-Peppercorn Cornmeal Crackers image

Provided by Ruth Cousineau

Yield Makes about 60

Number Of Ingredients 12

3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornmeal (preferably stone-ground)
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons packed light brown sugar
4 teaspoons dried green peppercorns, coarsely crushed, divided
1/2 teaspoon table salt
1 stick cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
2/3 cup well-shaken buttermilk
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 large egg, beaten

Steps:

Whisk together flours, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, brown sugar, 2 teaspoons peppercorns, and table salt in a bowl. Blend in butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add buttermilk and stir just until a dough forms. Turn dough out onto a floured surface and gently knead 6 to 8 times. Cut into 5 pieces, then chill, covered with plastic wrap, 10 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350°F with racks in upper and lower thirds.
Mix kosher salt and remaining 2 teaspoons peppercorns in a small bowl.
Roll out 1 piece of dough on a well-floured surface with a floured rolling pin into a 15- by 4-inch rectangle (1/8 inch thick). Lightly brush with egg, then prick all over with a fork. Sprinkle with about 1/2 teaspoon salt-and-pepper mixture.
Cut crosswise into 12 strips and arrange 1/8 inch apart on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough.
Bake, switching position of sheets halfway through, until golden-brown and crisp, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool crackers slightly, then transfer to racks to cool completely.