Ingredients

Makes about 44 crackers

　　1 1/2 cups finely grated fresh Parmesan (about 1/4 pound)

　　3/4 cup all-purpose flour

　　1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest

　　3/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper plus additional for sprinkling the crackers

　　1/2 stick (1/4 cup) cold unsalted butter, cut into bits

　　1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons water

　　1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

　　

Step 1

In a bowl stir together the Parmesan, the flour, the zest, and 3/4 teaspoon of the pepper and with a pastry blender blend in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Make a well in the center, add the water and the lemon juice, and combine the mixture with fork until it just forms a dough. On a work surface knead the dough until it is just combined, transfer it to a sheet of wax paper, and using the wax paper as a guide form it into an 11- by 1 1/2-inch squared-off log. Chill the dough, wrapped in the wax paper, for 1 hour, or until it is firm enough to slice. (The dough may be made 2 days in advance and kept wrapped well and chilled.)

　　

Step 2

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Cut the dough into 1/4-inch-thick slices, arrange the slices 1 inch apart on baking sheets, and bake them in batches in the middle of the oven for 10 minutes, or until they are golden around the edges. Transfer the crackers carefully with a spatula to a rack, let them cool, and sprinkle them with the additional pepper.