Hello bread and grain friends,
As I write this, I am testing recipes for a long-awaited book that gathers my most loved and often used recipes. I’m getting very excited to share! I’m going to keep this short, and get back to editing, but first, here’s what’s on my bread board this month:
Here’s what’s on the menu this month:
Mama Bread
This week’s Mama bread is made with whole organic spelt flour. I was inspired when flipping through a book of art history, and I spotted a loaf of bread in a painting from the 1500’s that looked a lot like my mama bread. Spelt is a close relative of wheat, and was first used by the Greeks. They considered it a gift from the goddess Demeter. People who have a hard time digesting common wheat (Triticum aestivum) report better results with Spelt (Triticum spelta). It bakes like a dream and I love the way the loaves turn out with this grain.
Organic Cinnamon Currant Bread
I just got a fresh batch of currants, so I’m putting this one back in rotation. I love the smell of this bread and it reminds me of going to OWL bakery in Asheville, NC. This bread uses organic Artisan Bread flour from Cairnspring Mill in Skagit Valley. I add a bit of organic barely malt from Tuality, and Ceylon cinnamon from Diaspora Co.
Seedy Einkorn & Rye
100% whole grain hearty goodness. I grind all of the grains myself and diligently toast and soak the seeds, and it’s so worth it! The rye comes from Tuality Plains and the organic einkorn, from Bluebird Grain Farms. I pack it with organic flax seeds and Anson Mills Sea Island benne seeds. I also include sprouted pumpkin seeds. As one friend put it, a slice of this bread is a meal unto itself.
With delight and gratitude,
Other news from the world of grain:
-The Kneading Conference was announced for this summer. Check it out here.
– 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 first one on Sunday November 7th from 10am to 11:30am PST by going to this link. Hope to see you there!
-For information about the Flour Hour experience on Airbnb, go here.