Vegan Cheesy Broccoli Soup with Whole Wheat Crackers and Green Salad

Ingredients

• 0.75 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp water (cold, may need 1 tbsp more)
• 1 tsp sesame seeds
• 1 tsp flax seeds
• 0.25 tsp salt

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven and mix dry ingredients

   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
   • In a medium bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, sesame seeds, flax seeds, and salt.
2. 2

   Form the dough

   • Add the olive oil and 3 tablespoons of cold water to the dry ingredients.
   • Mix with a fork until a shaggy dough forms.
   • Use your hands to bring the dough together into a ball. If it's too dry, add the remaining tablespoon of water.
3. 3

   Roll and cut the crackers

   • Place the dough between two sheets of parchment paper.
   • Roll the dough out as thinly as possible, about 1/16-inch thick. The thinner the dough, the crispier the cracker.
   • Remove the top sheet of parchment paper. Use a pizza cutter or knife to cut the dough into approximately 20 small squares or rectangles.
   • Prick each cracker a few times with a fork to prevent them from puffing up too much.
4. 4

   Bake the crackers

   • Slide the parchment paper with the cut crackers onto your baking sheet.
   • Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the crackers are crisp.
   • Keep a close eye on them after 10 minutes as they can burn quickly.
5. 5

   Cool and store

   • Let the crackers cool completely on the baking sheet. They will become crispier as they cool.
   • Once cooled, break them apart and store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Ingredients

• 1.5 cup brown rice (long-grain or basmati recommended)
• 3.75 cup water (for cooking)
• 1 tsp vegetable oil (optional, prevents sticking)

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the rice

   • Place the brown rice in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse under cold running water until the water runs clear, about 1-2 minutes.
   • For a softer texture, you can soak the rinsed rice in fresh water for 30 minutes, then drain it completely.
2. 2

   Combine ingredients and bring to a boil

   • In a medium saucepan with a heavy bottom and a tight-fitting lid, combine the drained rice, 3.75 cups of water, and optional vegetable oil.
   • Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat, which takes about 5-7 minutes.
3. 3

   Simmer the rice

   • Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to the lowest possible setting.
   • Cover the saucepan with the lid and let it cook undisturbed for 40 minutes. It's important not to lift the lid.
4. 4

   Rest and fluff the rice

   • After 40 minutes, turn off the heat and let the rice stand, still covered, for an additional 10 minutes to absorb the remaining steam.
   • Remove the lid and gently fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains before serving.