| Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 35 mins – 40 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 150 | 1.5g | 0g | 30g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 3g | 4.5g | 6g | 0.4g |
About Spelt Bread
Before diving into an engaging discourse about Spelt Bread, allow us to paint a delightful mental picture first. Envision a loaf of bread – hearty and rustic, with a texture that balances perfectly between softness and firmness. Its crust is delicately crunchy, subtly gold-hued, emanating a warm, earthy aroma that immediately elicits feelings of comfort and homemaking. This is not your ordinary white or wheat bread. Instead, it’s a culinary masterpiece rendered using ancient grains. Such a staple is our beloved Spelt Bread.
Origin and Characteristics
Spelt Bread, crafted from an ancient grain known as spelt, offers a distinct nutty flavor and essential nutrients. Spelt, an ancestor to modern wheat, was cherished by civilizations as far back as 5000 BC. The supremacy of this grain lies in its high fiber content and substantial minerals, such as iron, magnesium, and zinc. Accentuated by honey’s natural sweetness and yeast’s leavening properties, our Spelt Bread manages to harmoniously marry nutrition and indulgence.
A Versatile Companion To Your Preferred Dishes
In contrast to its nutritious brother, whole wheat bread, Spelt Bread has a savoury, slightly sweet, and hauntingly earthy tone that sings on your tongue. Its unparalleled texture—a flexible interior under a thin, crisp crust—makes for a heavenly complement to any meal. Whether it’s a robust panzanella salad, a hearty winter soup, or a delectably creamy cheese toastie, Spelt Bread adds a gourmet touch, taking the simplest dishes from pleasant to exquisite.
Preparation and Cooking
Making Spelt Bread is a labor of love where you mingle with live yeast, adjust the humidity and temperature, knead patiently, and allow the dough ample time to rise naturally. The principal ingredients—spelt flour, honey, active dry yeast, and canola oil—anticipate an attentive hand to bring to life a bread of superior quality and brilliance. Its baking process—requiring moderate temperature and meticulous vigilance—delivers a loaf that is beautifully airy and robust, with the earthiness of spelt melding subtly with the delicate sweet and savory hints of honey and salt, respectively.
Whether you’re a resilient home cook aiming to try something different or a food lover yearning for a return to traditional, nutritious ingredients, Spelt Bread is an appetizing journey back to maiden civilizations. It stands as a testament of our propensity to craft nourishing, flavorsome food. So, now, it’s time for you to tear a fresh, delicious piece, slather it with butter, jam, or simply bask in its unadorned glory, and bite into a slice of history.
What You’ll Need
- 1 1/2 cups of warm water
- 1 tablespoon of active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 1 tablespoon of canola oil
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 3 1/2 cups of spelt flour
Method
Step One
Combine 1 1/2 cups of warm water, 1 tablespoon of active dry yeast, and 2 tablespoons of honey in a large bowl. Let the mixture sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until the yeast is frothy.
Step Two
Stir in 1 tablespoon of canola oil and 1 teaspoon of salt to the yeast mixture, ensuring they are fully dissolved.
Step Three
Gradually add 3 1/2 cups of spelt flour to the mixture. Mix well to make sure all flour is incorporated. This will form your bread dough.
Step Four
Knead the dough for about 7-10 minutes on a floured surface until it’s elastic and smooth. Then, place it in a greased bowl, cover with a clean cloth, and set aside in a warm place to rise. This should take about 1-2 hours, or until the dough has doubled in size.
Step Five
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and knead it a few times. Shape it into a loaf and place it in a greased bread pan. Preheat your oven to 375°F/190°C.
Step Six
Let the loaf rest and rise for an additional 30-minutes, or until it has once more doubled in size. Then, place it in the preheated oven, and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Step Seven
Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for a few minutes. After that, move it to a wire rack and let it cool completely before slicing and serving. Enjoy your homemade spelt bread!
