Midnight Sun Charcoal Dip (Printable version)

Bold charcoal crackers paired with a creamy roasted carrot and turmeric dip for sophisticated snacking.

# Ingredient list:

→ Charcoal Crackers

01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
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

→ 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
13 - Juice of 1/2 lemon
14 - 1 tablespoon tahini
15 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
16 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup for vegan version
17 - Pinch of black pepper

# Step-by-step guide:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
02 - Toss chopped carrots with olive oil, sea salt, turmeric, smoked paprika, and cumin. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25 to 30 minutes until tender and lightly caramelized. Allow to cool slightly.
03 - In a bowl, whisk together flour, activated charcoal powder, and salt. Stir in olive oil and water 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 such as rectangles or rounds.
05 - Transfer crackers on parchment to a baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until crisp. Cool completely.
06 - Combine roasted carrots, Greek yogurt or alternative, lemon juice, tahini, minced garlic, honey or maple syrup, and black pepper in a food processor. Blend until very smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste.
07 - Spoon the dip onto a plate forming a thick, bright center. Arrange charcoal crackers around the dip in a circular pattern to evoke the midnight sun.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • The visual impact alone makes you feel like a sophisticated host, even though it's embarrassingly simple to pull off.
  • It tastes as interesting as it looks—earthy, warm spices playing against creamy brightness and that satisfying crunch.
  • You can prep everything ahead and just assemble minutes before guests arrive, which means you're actually relaxed when they show up.
02 -
  • Charcoal can look intimidating but it's completely flavorless—it's there for drama, not taste, so don't worry about it overpowering anything.
  • Rolling the cracker dough thin is non-negotiable; thick crackers will be chewy and disappointing, but paper-thin ones emerge crispy and elegant.
  • Don't skip cooling the roasted carrots slightly before blending or you'll end up with a warm dip that separates instead of staying silky and unified.
03 -
  • If you're nervous about the charcoal, start with half the amount called for and build up—you can always make them darker next time, but you can't undo it.
  • The secret to silky dip is not rushing the blending; give it a full minute in the food processor and your dip will be impossibly smooth, almost mousse-like.
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