Midnight Sun Charcoal Dip (Printable Version)

Elegant charcoal crackers surround a vivid roasted carrot and turmeric dip bursting with flavor.

# What You'll Need:

→ Charcoal Crackers

01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour (120 g)
02 - 2 tablespoons activated charcoal powder (food-grade)
03 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
04 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
05 - 1/3 cup water (80 ml)

→ Roasted Carrot & Turmeric Dip

06 - 4 large carrots, peeled and chopped
07 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
08 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
09 - 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
10 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
12 - 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or plant-based alternative (120 g)
13 - Juice of 1/2 lemon
14 - 1 tablespoon tahini
15 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
16 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
17 - Pinch of black pepper

# Steps:

01 - Set the oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for roasting and baking.
02 - Toss chopped carrots with olive oil, salt, turmeric, smoked paprika, and cumin. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25 to 30 minutes until tender and lightly caramelized. Let cool slightly.
03 - Combine flour, charcoal powder, and salt in a bowl. Add olive oil and water, mixing until a dough forms. Knead briefly until smooth.
04 - Roll dough thinly between two sheets of parchment paper. Remove the top sheet and cut into desired shapes.
05 - Transfer crackers on parchment to a baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until crisp. Allow to cool completely.
06 - In a food processor, combine roasted carrots, yogurt, lemon juice, tahini, garlic, honey or maple syrup if used, and black pepper. Blend until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste.
07 - Spoon the dip centrally on a plate, forming a thick, bright circle. Arrange charcoal crackers in a ring around the dip for an elegant presentation.

# Expert Insights:

01 -
  • It tastes incredible but looks like you spent hours in the kitchen, making you the hero of any gathering.
  • The warm spices in the dip keep you coming back for just one more cracker, even when you promised yourself you'd stop.
  • Once you nail the technique, you can make it days ahead, leaving you calm and collected when guests arrive.
02 -
  • The dough is stickier than traditional cracker dough, so don't be tempted to add more flour; trust the process and work between parchment sheets.
  • Charcoal can stain your hands and cutting board, so use a dark surface if possible, and don't panic if your fingers turn black.
  • Over-blending the dip can make it too warm and cause the yogurt to separate slightly; blend until smooth, then stop.
  • The crackers truly taste better the next day after their flavor settles, so this is one of those happy recipes that rewards planning ahead.
03 -
  • The charcoal dough is easier to work with if you let it rest for ten minutes before rolling, which also helps the gluten relax and prevents shrinking.
  • If your dip seems loose after blending, let it sit in the refrigerator for an hour to firm up—cold dip holds its shape far better than room temperature.
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