fennel seed tortas

Directions

1. Tip the warm water into a medium mixing bowl and scatter the yeast over the surface. Add the remaining ingredients and mix with your hands to form a dough.

2. Cover the bowl with an upturned plate and leave for an hour or so, until you can see the dough rising well (you don’t need to wait for it to double).

3. Transfer to a work surface and knead for a few minutes until the dough is becoming smooth and elastic. You shouldn’t need any flour on the bench, as the oil stops the dough from sticking.

4. There are a few ways to roll out the dough. The quickest option is to roll the whole piece very thin (almost transparent) and use a round cookie cutter or an upturned glass to cut out circles. The more authentic way is to pinch off pieces of dough and roll with your hands into balls, then use a rolling pin to roll flat. The size is also up to you – I use teaspoon-sized pieces of dough and roll them out 2 balls at a time, but you may prefer larger crackers.

5. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Lay the crackers on trays lined with baking paper, leaving a small amount of space in between. Sprinkle the crackers with a little salt or sugar – or a bit of each – as desired.

6. Bake for around 10 minutes until golden around the edges, taking care not to burn them.