Hello bread and grain friends,
In case you haven’t heard, The Mama Bread book is out! I’ve been busy with that, and here’s a link of me talking about feeding sourdough starter on Afternoon Live here in Portland. Thanks for being part of this home bread baking project with me.
Here’s what’s going on in my kitchen this month:
Mama Bread
This month’s Mama bread is made with a lighter flour from Cairnspring Mills called Glacier Peak. To it, I’ve added a bit of Dark Northern Rye, as well as millet flour that my pal Rose left at my house when she was in Portland on book tour. I notice this loaf is flying off the bread board, so I’ll probably make it again and again. That’s what Mama bread is all about. Speaking of Rose’s cookbook, definitely check it out. It’s called Bread and Roses and it’s one of my new favorites!
Sesame Einkorn
This has become a staple in my home, and my favorite place to get einkorn is Bluebird. I buy it whole and grind it the night before I’m mixing my dough. The sesame is Anson Mills Sea Island benne seeds or sometimes I splurge on Daphnis and Chloe Evros heirloom sesame seeds because it’s a nod to the traveler in me, even when I can’t leave.
Challah
I love making Challah on Fridays and putting it out reverently on the dinner table, watching it whittle down as my family joyfully takes bites with our Shabbat dinner. This is the best way to end a busy week, and the loveliest threshold to a mandated time of rest. I feel so much gratitude in these small moments. My favorite recipe lately is from Breaking Breads by Uri Scheft of Breads Bakery in NYC (also in Tel Aviv). I’ve been making it lately with Glacier Peak flour from Cairnspring Mill.
Other news from the world of grain:
-Is sourdough more nutritious? This article tackled that question.
– I am hosting a monthly Zoom meeting as a free resource for all bakers who want to ask questions and share ideas. It will be the first Sunday of each month, and you can join the by going to this link. Hope to see you there!
-For information about the Flour Hour experience on Airbnb, go here.