Volcanic Flow Appetizer (Printer View)

Black charcoal crackers paired with spicy red pepper jelly for a bold fusion appetizer.

# What You'll Need:

→ Crackers

01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 - 2 tablespoons activated charcoal powder (food grade)
03 - ½ teaspoon sea salt
04 - ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - ⅓ cup water

→ Spicy Red-Hot Jelly

07 - 1 cup red pepper jelly
08 - 1 to 2 teaspoons hot sauce (adjust to taste)
09 - ¼ teaspoon chili flakes
10 - 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice

# Method Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
02 - In a bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, activated charcoal powder, sea salt, and ground black pepper.
03 - Add olive oil and water to the dry mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
04 - Roll the dough thinly between two sheets of parchment paper. Cut into irregular shapes resembling lava rocks using a knife or cookie cutter.
05 - Place crackers on the prepared baking tray. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until crisp and dry. Allow to cool completely.
06 - In a small bowl, combine red pepper jelly, hot sauce, chili flakes, and fresh lime juice. Warm gently if needed to achieve a pourable consistency.
07 - Arrange black crackers in a ring on a serving plate, leaving space at the center. Spoon the spicy jelly into the center forming a crater. Serve immediately, dipping crackers into the hot jelly.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The black crackers are impossible not to stare at, and people always ask how you made them.
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes but feels like you spent hours plotting something deliciously theatrical.
  • The heat builds gradually as you dip, so you can control exactly how spicy each bite becomes.
02 -
  • Don't overbake the crackers by even a minute or two—they'll harden further as they cool, and you want that satisfying crunch, not a tooth-breaking snap.
  • The activated charcoal can separate from the flour mixture if you're not careful, so whisk it thoroughly or sift it together before adding the wet ingredients.
03 -
  • For extra drama, serve the jelly warm so it glistens under light and people feel the heat rising from the center.
  • If you want to add fresh minced chili to the jelly, do it no more than 30 minutes before serving so it doesn't become overwhelming.
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