Hard Tack
Hard Tack….Basic
Note: these
are meant to be concrete hard, like a rock. They require soaking before/while
eating.
It's not meant
to be a tasty snack. Soak time averages 15 minutes.
Ingredients:
4 cups of all-purpose flour (480 grams). (
2 teaspoons
of salt (11.5 grams)
1.5 cups of
water (350 milliliters)
Optional: 1
teaspoon (2.4 grams) of dried rosemary, Italian seasoning, or ground pepper. No
sugar of any type.
Instructions:
Preheat your
oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large
mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Mix well. (plus optional
ingredients)
Gradually
add water to the flour mixture while stirring. Continue mixing until the dough
forms a stiff consistency.
To prevent
sticking to the counter or cutting board, dust a clean surface with flour and
place the dough on it. Also, sprinkle a
little flour on top of the dough to prevent the roller from sticking to the
dough.
Knead the
dough for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Let it rest
for at least 15 minutes.
Roll out the
dough to a thickness of about 1/2 inch (1.3 cm). (This is the max thickness)
Cut the
dough into small squares or rectangles. Each piece should be around 3 inches
(7.6 cm) in size.
Using a
fork, poke several holes into each piece of dough. These holes will help
prevent the hardtack from puffing up during baking. (Pro note: chopsticks make
the perfect-sized hole.)
Place the
dough pieces on an ungreased baking sheet and bake them in the preheated oven
for approximately 30 minutes.
After 30
minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 250°F (120°C) and flip them over; continue baking for an additional 30 minutes or until the hardtack turns golden
brown and becomes hard and dry.
Remove the
hardtack from the oven and allow it to cool completely before storing it in an
airtight container. Hardtack can last for months or even years if stored
properly.
Historical
Footnote:
Hardtack,
also known as ship biscuit or sea bread, is a durable, long-lasting
bread that has been a staple food for sailors, soldiers, and explorers
throughout history. Its origin dates back centuries, and it was widely used
during the Age of Exploration, the American Civil War, and various other
military campaigns.
Hardtack was
favored by sailors and soldiers due to its ability to withstand long journeys
without spoiling. It provided a source of sustenance when fresh food was scarce
or unavailable. It was also lightweight and easy to transport.
The
simplicity of Hardtack's ingredients and its long shelf life made it an
essential survival ration. Though hard and dry, it could be softened by
soaking it in water, coffee, or soup, thus making it edible.
The soldiers
of the civil war beat the hard tack with rifle butts (the end of the stock of a
rifle), dropped the tack into their coffee, skimmed off whatever bugs were in
it, and had breakfast.
While
hardtack was a practical food source, it was often criticized for its bland
taste and tough texture. Despite these shortcomings, hardtack significantly sustained armies and sailors when regular
food supplies were limited, making it an enduring symbol of resilience and survival.
Hardtack is still standard in Alaska, Hawaii,
and eastern Europe.
More can be
found@ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardtack
Note:
these are meant to be concrete hard, like a rock. They require soaking
before/while eating.
Side note:
During the Revolutionary War, troops sometimes needed more food.
One food that they could make was called firecakes. Firecakes were made of
flour, water, and salt if available. Same product, different name.
According to
the Internet.
Calories
72
% Daily Values*
Total Fat0.
19 g 0%
Saturated
Fat 0.029 g 0%
Trans Fat-
Polyunsaturated
Fat 0.078 g
Monounsaturated
Fat 0.017 g
Cholesterol0mg
0%
Sodium0mg 0%
Total
Carbohydrate 14.5 g 5%
Dietary
Fiber 0.5 g 2%
Sugars 0.05 g
Protein 1.96
g
Vitamin D-
Calcium 3 mg
0%
Iron 0.88 mg
5%
Potassium 20
mg 0%
Vitamin A 0 mcg
0%
Vitamin C 0mg
0%
* The %
Daily Value (DV) tells you how much nutrient in a serving of food contributes
to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
That said,
please review the Nutrition Disclaimer; there are too many variables to give an
accurate list of the nutritional value of anything. I suggest you read the
package to better understand what is in your food. Again, see the Nutrition
Disclaimer.
copyright ©
2023 Donald Watson All Rights Reserved
Comments
Post a Comment