As you may know, I’ve been compulsively reading Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy. On planes, I position my iPad so that my fellow travellers can’t see what I am reading (for obvious reasons 
). I know it’s not going to win any awards for literature and the three books repeat themselves a lot. I mean how many times can you hear about Christian’s jeans that hang from his hips (the last time I checked, jeans don’t hang off chins or shoulders), Ana’s fingers fisting his tousled hair or how she is Icarus flying too close to the sun. Despite this, it is one of the most compulsive reads in a long time. I compare Fifty Shades to hot chips, you know that it’s bad for you but you just cannot stop.
One thing that the protaganist Ana talks about is her “inner goddess. I suppose we all have them but mine is perhaps more aligned with inner domestic goddess. The inner domestic goddess finds satisfaction in making things from scratch and giving these to people. I have no decorating or sewing skills to speak of and so my enthusiasm is channelled towards cooking. The first time I made bread, cheese and yogurt spoke to my inner domestic goddess and she sat there beaming and proud. She even winked at me and gave me the thumbs up. Obnoxious trollop
A friend of mine, Don Draper once asked me why lavosh or lavash crackers are so expensive at the store. I didn’t have an answer and the next time I went to the supermarket I took a look at the display of lavosh. They ranged from $4 to $8. I turned them over and took a look at the ingredients. Nothing too flash or unusual. So I set about looking for a recipe for it. My surprise was when I saw that they were incredibly easy to make.
This is based on a recipe by Annabel Langbein’s from The Free Range Cook which I was sent a copy of a while back along with a jar of her lovely chilli jam. I cannot recommend these enough; they are divine and surpass anything that you could buy at the store. You know how pushy I can get Dear Reader and today I’m going to plead with you to take 25 minutes to make these yourself at home. The prep time is 10 minutes and cooking time 15 minutes. The dough is a cinch to work with and the flavour and crunch are divine. Your inner domestic goddess will love you for it too
So tell me Dear Reader, do you have an inner domestic god or goddess? And have you ever tried making your own bread, cheese or yogurt? And what do you think of the whole “Fifty Shades” phenomenon and who do you think should be cast in the film?
Episode 1
Episode 2
Oh and I have to tell you about the filming news from a few months ago. Well, it was for Dilmah’s High Tea challenge and they asked me to host my very own high tea and interview people about it! There were four episodes filmed and the first two are out now on Dilmah’s facebook page! I was so nervous seeing myself on screen and it’s true the camera does add on pounds although so does eating cake and biscuits! 
But I hope that you like it-the production company did a great job with it and it was so much fun to film too. Many of the clothes that I wore were from Alannah Hill whose clothes are just perfect for High Tea. The wonderful team of Elly Hanson and Joel Philips from the amazing Stevie English Hair did my hair and make up and I adore them both to bits!
P.S. “Afternoon tea” purists, I know that it’s strictly called afternoon tea and high tea is the heavier meal for the working classes. I did want to call it afternoon tea and there were discussions about that, but it seems that so many purveyors in Australia have adopted the term high tea and I was overruled
Made from Scratch: Sesame Lavosh Crackers
Adapted from Annabel Langbein’s The Free Range Cook
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 10-15 minutes
- 1.5 cups plain all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1/4 cup oil
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
1. Preheat the oven to 175C/347F. Line two trays with baking parchment (you will make four lots but you can make them after each other but line four trays if you want) and take out a rolling pin and a butter knife. In a bowl, add the flour, sesame seeds, salt and sugar and with a fork stir to combine. In a jug, measure the warm water, oil and sesame oil and add this to the flour mix. Using a fork combine these and knead gently for about 30 seconds.
Lavosh rectangles (my favourite shape as they were super crispy and crunchy)
Lavosh triangles for more dip or toppings
2. Divide the dough into four pieces. Roll these out with the rolling pin-you can make shards, circles, small rectangles, whatever you like. The smaller the shape, the quicker they will cook though and so a whole round will take perhaps 20 minutes while the small rectangles like the supermarket ones take about 10-15 minutes (and I liked these best). You can also roll this out very thinly but I preferred them this sort of thickness. Bake until golden-about 15 minutes but check for colour. Cool completely and store in an airtight container.
Super thin lavosh pre baking
Break into large shards once baked
Bird bowl by Dandi
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95 Comments | Add your own
Great crackers! They are so addictive and perfect for scooping up hummus or baba ganoush.
Cheers,
Rosa
Videos are terrific Lorraine! I’m trying this lavosh recipe this week – looks so good!
You know I don’t think I have ever eaten lavosh crackers but anything with sesame oil and seeds is a winner with me. And the recipe does look easy. Congratulations on the Dilmah’s High Tea challenge – you look so professional
Fantastic work.
this looks awesome! i have all the ingredients, i will definitely give these a try!
OMG, lovely videos!!! Did you do the editing yourself? You are a goddess! And compared to you, I’m just a nymph…maybe even lower than a nymph…an elf? LOL!
Hi Jen! The production company The Precinct did the editing and filming etc. They were great, there was no way I could have done it
I can barely edit video! Aww you are so not! I’ve seen pics of you! x
Nice work Lorraine. The videos are fabulous, and you look great. Looking forward to the rest! xx
Hi Lorraine, I can’t speak on 50 Shades of Grey as I am too obsessed with The Hunger Games trilogy but my domestic goddess hears you loud and clear with regards to the pride felt the first time … and actually every time … I made bread and cheese. I think I literally glowed and looked around the kitchen waiting for the applause and although none was forthcoming, it didn’t matter, I knew how good I was!! Making your own ricotta is a buzz as you see those little curds start to form
and yesterday I made pizza dough – there’s nothing tastier then your own pizza made form scratch. Today I think I will make these lavosh as I have some beautiful french cheese in the fridge begging for a crunchy accompaniment!
PS And now I want to host a high tea too!
I have no interest in the books; no particular reason but I LOVE this twitter account. You must check it out. @50ShedsofGrey – I start my day with a big chuckle and hope you will have one too!
I’m started a monthly group ‘Making it from Scratch’ – you are not alone and some of us get the most satisfaction from that effort. Although I made an ice cream pie today and did not make the ice cream! Oops.
I’m home today so i might whip up a batch of these they look devine!
the videos are fantastic great work! wish they were out a few weeks ago i hosted a high tea for my beautiful bestie the other week for her hens, it went really well but could have been better after the above!
Oh Lorraine! You are a natural in front of the camera!! Love the videos
Oh wow – this looks easy, even for me. I got my first box of lavosh crackers in a hamper at Christmas and now I’m addicted.
The whole ‘inner goddess’ thing in those books drove me craaaaaazy! Incredibly repetitive books like you say and I thought the ‘hero’ was a complete tosspot.
WOW I love those videos of you Lorraine
You’re definitely a professional ~ I could totally imagine you having your own TV show hehe
I LOVE all High teas and afternoon teas hehe and even though I only just found out that the proper name should be ‘afternoon tea’ lol i still like the name ‘High Tea’ more hehe
Ohhh Lavosh crackers, they are easy to make and so much cheaper that way! Thanks for sharing!
I guess we get used to just grabbing these things from the supermarket shelves, rather than thinking about making them at home. these look beautifully simple – I’ll be giving them a go soon, thanks.
Aww I love the videos Lorraine. You look stunning.. and so does Vincent Gadan for that matter
hehe. It’s such a downer that I’ve not really had the high tea experience. I don’t know which rock I’ve been hiding under…. oh and the boy bought me the 50 shades of grey book. Let’s see what the fuss is about…
I haven’t read the books. I hadn’t even heard of them until I got back to Australia.
I love the videos! You’re fantastic and don’t be ridiculous about the ‘adding pounds!’
I have an inner domestic goddess most definitely. I get so much satisfaction making things from scratch and finishing DIY jobs at home.
Wow! Congratulations! You look and sound fabulous on film–it’s so lovely to put a voice to the face. And I love the concept of high tea–especially the chocolate law. The lavosh looks great too and has me wondering if I could make it in a tortilla press instead of rolling it so thin?????
Love the lavosh crackers! I have to try these.
Lorraine! I love your high tea episodes. I hope you get to do more videos soon
Well said about 50 shades – the correlation with hot chips is spot on! It is so bad but addictive! At the moment im havin Offspring withdrawal so i think Matthew Le Nevez (aka “Patrick”) would be a perfect “Grey”.
Can’t wait to make these lavosh. I’ve also thought they were ridiculously priced & seemingly so simple. Likewise bagel crisps, baguette crisps etc!! My domestic goddess ritual though is yoghurt making – so much better than packaged, so easy & recycling containers. I feel very virtuous eating it.
I’ve been wondering whether to read these. I’m going to the beach next weekend; I think you’ve convinced me! These sesame crackers look just wonderful.
I try to make my own bread, well let’s just say that it is edible. My mum explains the instructions so many times, I have my own video in my head, but just can’t get it to work like hers.
In my next life I will be a cheesemaker.
As for Fifty Shades, I’m too embarrassed to read it, lol. I saw a whole mass of the books on sale recently for $9.95, I think they might have been sold the next day, lol.
You have a friend called Don Draper? Seriously? Isn’t that the guy in Mad Men? Well done on making your own crackers. I have never thought to and given how much some delis charge for them I should have been making them long ago. Great work on the Dilmah promotion series! You are fabulous on the silver screen – move over Nicole! I’ve always thought high tea meant the whole big deal and afternoon tea was snatching a few biscuits from a cookie jar – I have lots to learn! xx
Hi Lorraine! Great videos, and so far one of my most favorite posts (I loved the others too, don’t get me wrong, please) as I am just crazy about the high quality tea. Can I come to your tea party too?
“simplicity”, “create with your heart” – such a wonderful words to hear from chefs. And you look lovely in those videos!
Yes, I do like to make my own cheese, yoghurt, bread, pasta, etc from scratch. It tastes different, and it is always created with love…
Lorraine, your Dilmah tea videos are fabulous! How wonderful it must be to get advice from such experts. I must say I am obsessed with high tea and it is a personal quest of mine to try high tea all over the world (and everywhere in Sydney). I hope yours went well!
(P.S. I always walk away from seeing Elly at Stevie English with a smile on my face – she is a great stylist!)
They look awesome. I will be making these this week!
Thanks Michelle! It was so much fun!
And Elly is amazing isn’t she? 
Gday! First of all, GREAT videos! For a GREAT company! More companies (in my opinion) worldwide should adopt Merrill J Fernando’s philosophy! (Not only about tea, but his employees are like family!)
Have made Lavosh before, as had the curiosity too!
Experimented with bread, pasta, cheese is YET to do!
You are such a STAR!! Can’t wait to see the whole series!
You look lovely in them Lorraine! But what a tease, I’m guessing your high tea event is in episode 3?
Oh yum! I can’t wait to make these. Thank you for the recipe!
This is a review done by a friend of mine on 50 shades of gray:
http://capturingcaely.blogspot.com/2012/07/book-review-25-fifty-shades-darker-by-e.html
Sounds like junk food to me.
Oh my goodness, how simple is that! Well worth the effort by the looks of it. My inner domestic goddess is telling me I absolutely must try these
Oh Lorraine, you are SO cute!! I love the videos. You are just what I expected you’d be like. You’ve got a smile that could stop traffic.
I want to make these crackers. I keep telling myself it’s cracker day but I haven’t done it yet.
I must!
Congratulations on the ‘Dilmah’ series: have watched the first episode and put a bookmark to go back as soon as work allows for review and episode two. The first such for you, perhaps: certainly not the last. I do love your way of speaking and immense capacity to get close to both the person to whom you are talking and all of us watching/listening! And you do have quite a special lovely voice, which will get more than a little use in the future, I am certain! Lavosh: love it and shall try the easy recipe! Make my own yogurt and have made some drop cheeses when need arises. About a certain book methinks it would be best to disagree without further comment
!
I love your Real High Tea videos with Dilmah. Will there be more videos?
My friends and I love going to High Tea and have been to a few around Sydney. As yet, I have never hosted one. Your videos are educational and entertaining.
Please send us more videos on your High Tea exploration adventure.
Hi Monica! Thank you!
Yes there will be two more videos, one with recipes which I hope you guys like 
I’m so glad that you find them educational! I will 
Love, love the episodes, Lorraine! The law about chocolate at high tea sounds very agreeable to me
.
As for the crackers, I can’t wait to try them and serve them as an appetizer!
You are such a star! Maybe Anthony Bourdain should have picked YOU to star with in his new show, instead of, ahem, that OTHER Nigella.
Those look so so good Lorraine.
But I am bowled over by the clip….you are soooo cute!!! And the program looks amazing. Very interesting. You have a way with presentation.
Thanks Lorraine! The videos truly brightend my sick day! x
I love Annabel’s recipe for Lavosh, and have made them so many times now. Like you, I had no idea how easy they are to make at home.
By the way, thanks for sharing the high tea videos. You look gorgeous and it was so lovely to be able to see the real you
The Victoria Rooms is my favourite place for high tea in Sydney, but it’s been so long since I’ve been there. I now have a craving for their beautiful high tea and their amazing cocktails 
PS is that which skirt you are wearing at Patisse an Alannah Hill one?
Hi Jennifer! It is SO easy! :O Thank you and yep that’s an Alannah Hill dress!
First of all great videos!!!
You look Stunning Lorraine!!
I love hosting teas party.. something my grandmother use to do with such a flair… My mom not so much..;-)
These crackers look wonderful!! I can enjoy some of these now with some chutney or hummus… Yum!!
These crackers are my ultimate favourite my friend but more often than not, the supermarket doesn’t sell them very healthy! Your recipe looks superb
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I love watching the videos, but oh the timing hurts my soul, due to my missing out on high tea with you this weekend! Me = little cry right now.
These look so easy to make!
Wow Lorraine, you look great in the dilmah high tea episodes!!!
the lavosh looks yummy too!
I haven’t checked out the videos yet because I’m at work and they’re blocked but I’m looking forward to watching it at home – I’ll do it right before I watch last night’s installment of Downton Abbey
That’s really interesting about high tea. I had always assumed that it was a meal for the upper classes, possibly because posh hotels seem to serve it. Live and learn!
I just burnt through the 2nd 50 Shades book and my English Literature-Holding Conscience feels really guilty for wanting to read the third, but it’s kind of addictive. I heard Alexis Bledel (of Gilmore Girls fame) was in line to play Ana but I still find it hard to believe that a movie will actually be produced for mainstream cinema. I mean, how the heck??? Most likely, like Eat, Pray, Love, it will miss the entire point of the book.
Lastly, my Inner Domestic Goddess recently attended a cheese-making course and is now prancing about smugly as she feeds her friends home-made feta. She knows she really is **that** good
Oops. *English-Literature-Degree-Holding!
Lorraine!!!! I just finished watching both videos. You look STUNNING!!! Congratulations on the series! You look natural.
And these sesame crackers look so yummy!
Thanks for Lavosh recipe, love it, but usually avoid buying it because of price! However today I bought fresh bottle of Sesame oil from Asian store and hope to make it tomorrow! Nothing better than making food for others, I am known as a ‘feeder’ as I tend to make and give away lots of cakes, cookies etc to friends. Plus the overall joy when something turns out like the recipe! You’d think I had won Masterchef, the noise I create, not to mention the photos, hubby says camera goes into meltdown! But after 41 yrs of marriage he certainly enjoys my creations…. Haven’t seen the video yet, but certainly love High Teas!
Great videos, Lorraine, I can hardly wait to see the actual high tea episodes. I’ve threatened to host a high tea for my girlfriends with daughters for years now. Perhaps this instructional video is what I need to do it. I have vintage teacups inherited from my MIL that would be perfect too.
Fifty shades, yes I plowed through all three books on my iPhone, no less! Reading it on the planes, cabs, street cars, subways and the elliptical (made me work out harder!). Not the best books I’ve ever read, but they were entertaining (well, maybe not the last one!) My Christian would be George Clooney, of course! He’s mysterious, dark, charming and mouth droppingly handsome.
What a great recipe. I developed a flatbread recipe years ago that I wanted to market (these designer flatbreads are terribly expensive here too 150g for $6-9!) but someone, who shall remain nameless (think initials) talked me out of it. Boo on him. https://kitcheninspirations.wordpress.com/2008/07/07/evas-whole-wheat-flatbreads/
Oh wow! Had no idea how easy these were to make. I can totally see myself eating these during the work day.
I’m still skeptical about Fifty Shades of Grey, though, but I guess curiosity will eventually get the better of me and I’ll purchase a copy… heh.
***wolf whistle***
loved the videos. I also watched the one where you make macarons with the VERY Nigella cleavage shot hehe. And the lavosh look tasty too. I love to sprinkle mine with black sesame seeds, nigella seeds and salt.
they look like perfect little treats!
You were an ideal choice for the high tea segments Lorraine – I really admire your style and elegance.
It’s criminal how expensive lavosh crackers are – I made them for Daring Bakers a while back. I have made my own bread and cheese, but not yoghurt yet.
inner domestic goddesses are exacting but I am sure she would also love to sit down and share a high tea with you – I love the sound of these crackers – am sure they are even tastier when freshly baked rather than in a packet that has sat on the shelf
I love the videos, well done! Congrats on all you’ve achieved…since I started reading your blog a few years ago it seems as though you’ve reached blogger stardom – you should be so proud!
I love making my own food and other bits and pieces and giving them as gifts, especially jams and little crafty nic-nacs…I have made bread and I really want to try my hand very soon at cheese
Love love love the videos! Can’t wait for the rest of the episodes.
These crackers look and sound heavenly! As for 50 Shades, I work at a publishing house and we had to pitch for it so I read it before it came out in the UK. To be honest, I don’t really see what all the hype is about!
Great crackers great video!!!!
We made these crackers as soon as we saw them. They are so much better than anything bought at the store. I can’t stop eating them.
Hi Dana! I’m so glad that you liked them! I couldn’t stop eating them! LO
PS that includes those really pricey crackers for 10 bucks.
*Applause* and Congratulations Lorraine , so great to see you in the video , your career is growing in leaps and bounds, the sky’s the limit!
Will definitely try the lavosh as I do adore sesame in crackers and it looks quick and simple to make.
The Fifty Shades trilogy awaits but I’m too busy in the kitchen lately to want to pursue anything else. I’m in the middle of a culinary frenzy… baking, cooking, preserving, distilling (lol, my first attempt at Lime-Cello after a bumper Lime crop this year. Don’t quite know what’s gotten into me but I’m all-a-flutter and ‘happy dancing’ around my kitchen, it’s so damn satisfying.
Yes, I’ve tried my hand at cheese, bread but yet to try yoghurt. Hmmm, what am I doing tomorrow?
Low sugar… I like! A nice snack that I can give my kids since they like sesame seeds.
you’re such a doll–i loved those videos, thanks for sharing them!
Loved the videos, so fresh and fun!
So why do you think lavosh cost so much to buy?
And how long will the homemade version keep for please?
Hi Lilian! I’m not sure to be honest, it’s so easy, made out of simple ingredients so I have no idea!
I think they’ll keep for a few weeks as long as they’re in an airtight container? 
I love these crackers because crispy baked crunchy things and sesame seem to always be good flavor friends. I don’t know that I’ve ever had lavosh before, but I’d go for these anytime.
I still haven’t touched the 50 Shades series but I will shamefully admit that I know exactly what you mean by the repeated language and phrases – I’ve read more cheap romance novels than I care to acknowledge
And it seems like each author latches on to certain phrases and lean on them like a crutch…
The videos are incredible – you have such on-camera confidence! I didn’t even know you had any videos out there or I’d have been hunting for them sooner. I hope you’ll continue to share more videos (although I’d imagine they’re dreadfully time consuming to shoot)…
You look fantastic on the videos, you are mode for this
I understand what you mean with the books, of course, nobody excepcts an award, it’s just that sometime a book becaose so adictive, like your cookies, look like if you start eating you will never stop.
Popping back to say that I made these yesterday afternoon and they are nearly all gone. They were delicious and so easy to make. Thanks!
Hi Michelle! That’s fantastic! I’m so glad that you liked them and that they were delicious and easy for you too! You’re very welcome!
Lorraine, I love your videos! How gorgeous are the 2 male chefs in the second one – you were a bit flirty me thinks. I would be too. can’t wait for more
As soon as I saw a photo of Matt Bomer it was like I was looking at Christian Grey! Ridiculously good looking.
Nice to see how easy it is to make your own lavosh! I’ll have to give it a go next time I plan to indulge in some gorgeous cheese
(Need to watch your videos when I have sound)
Loved the videos! You should do these more often, like when you’re cooking things
As for Fifty Shades…Matt Bomer (White Collar) for Christian and not sure about Ana, although Lucy Hale’s name has been thrown around. I read somewhere that Sharon Stone should play Elena.
Thirty hours later! Have finished ALL the videos and am softly laughing
! You never said there were more than two segments, now did you 
! Naughty lady methinks! Seriously, have learned quite a bit – loved watching you make the macarons, but loved the scenes with Peter Kuruvita even more 
! Am just finishing watching his Island cooking series: there is one person who has improved on delivery out of sight since his Sri Lankan ones! Anyways, do like the Dilmah series: methinks these can be said to be about High Tea; to me afternoon tea is a much simpler, cosier smaller experience . . . ?
just watched both the videos and you are amazing on camera. looking forward to seeing the remaining episodes
Hi everyone! Thank you SO, SO much for your encouraging and sweet comments! I’d usually reply to each and every one but I’m overseas on a not very good internet connection. But thank you so much for being so lovely and kind!! Love you all, Lorraine xxx
I made the crackers last night and they’re absolutely addictive. Hubby has almost demolished them. I couldn’t believe how easy they were to make.
Congrats on the videos, they’re very enjoyable and you look gorgeous. Looking forward to the next two episodes.
this is THE best way to impress dinner party guests!
See? Video ain’t that hard.
We’ll get you on CoverVersions yet.
I’m usually not a do-it-yourself-er, as the simpler aspects of cooking are the ones that terrify me. The kind of recipes that involve lots of practice and estimation would reduce me to tears because I just don’t KNOW. I was talking to a fellow-French-Canadian workmate, who explained that her mother has no recipe for pouding chomeur: she just _does_ it.
Anyhow, eBooks were created so you didn’t have to show the chap at the bookstore the cover of what you’re buying. *nods*
Those look super easy to make! Have to try them. And you look great on camera!
How exciting Lorraine! You came accross so natural and lovely too. It’s hard enough hearing yourself on tape let alone seeing yourself on video, but you looked lovely! Well done indeed
How beautifully thin! I bet they’d be great with some garlic-herb soft cheese…
this is perfect! we’ve discovered dip time at work (where we make homemade dips) so making the crisps is the cherry on top!
& I finished the book on my flight back from the states – I got many curious looks from other people…
Waw, dear Lorraine! The video’s rocked & you looked very lovely too! Great interviews with the chefs too! I love episode 3 a lot with the ethiquette lady & your own high tea at your home with your friends! You shoud do more video’s: so cool!
xxx
Hugs from Belgium!
Your crackers look amazing & ooh so tasty!
Lorraine you look amazing
congratulations!!
Cheers to progressing to the silver screen. You sound and appear just as I had imagined – very natural and unaffected.
I will look forward to the next in the series of Lorraine’s foodie adventures…
My inner domestic goddess is calling out – er yelling for me to make these!
I finally made this last week after having bookmarked it when you posted it. I can’t believe how easy & delicious this is. And I am salivating over the ways it could be modified. Thanks for another fabulous alternative to packaged, processed stuff.
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