ROMAN STYLE SPELT BREAD

I USE RECIPE FOR THIS BREAD, AS WRITTEN ON BACK OF "DOVES FARM ORGANIC WHOLEGRAIN SPELT FLOUR PACKET. BUT AS I HAVE A VISITOR TODAY, I AM INCREASING AMOUNTS BY 50%, SO THAT I WILL HAVE 2 LARGER LOAVES. MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA TO DECREASE HEAT OF OVEN A BIT. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT....

750g SPELT FLOUR

1/2 - 1 tsp SALT

2tsp DRIED YEAST

1-2 tbsp HONEY

600ml WARM WATER

1-2 tbsp OLIVE OIL

*

Generally, i dissolve salt and honey in the warm water, adding the dried yeast to the dry flour in the bowl beforehand...

ADD OLIVE OIL WHILE DOUGH MIXTURE IS STILL CRAGGY = ROUGH AND NOT AT ALL SMOOTH

DO NOT KNEAD TOO MUCH AS ONE DOES WITH ORDINARY WHEAT FLOUR. DOUGH WILL BE SOFTER AND STICKIER, SO SPRINKLE FLOUR TO FACILITATE EASE OF HANDLING...DIVIDE IN 2 - CHECK WEIGHT, IF UNSURE, TO ENSURE EVEN BAKING, BUT EYE SHOULD BE GOOD ENOUGH -AND PROVE IN WARM PLACE FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES OR SO. EXPERIENCE IS A GREAT TEACHER.

THEN COVER WITH CLOTH &

PROVE FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES...

UNTIL IT LOOKS LIKE THIS....I WAS SO BUSY BLOGGING, IT WAS A GOOD BIT LONGER...FAMILIARITY OF 40+ YEARS OF BAKING - GAIL TAUGHT ME WELL - 1971 ! - MEANS I CAN TAKE A FEW LIBERTIES...

PLACE IN MIDDLE OF OVEN (ESSENTIAL TO KNOW THY OVEN!) AT GAS MARK 6. IN MY SMALL OVEN, I BAKE AT JUST ABOVE 5.

BAKE APPROX 30 MINUTES, BUT CHECK. TAP BOTTOM OF LOAF FOR THAT HOLLOW SOUND.

SOMETIMES I TAKE LOAF OUT OF TIN, TURN CAREFULLY UPSIDE-DOWN AND BAKE FOR ANOTHER 5 MINUTES.

YOU WILL FIND YOUR WAY EVENTUALLY.

"NEVER GIVE UP." - Dalai Lama !!!

PLEASE NOTE - ON "DOVES" PKT. IT SAYS -  BAKE FOR 40/45 MINUTES - IN MY ESTIMATION/EXPERIENCE - THIS IS FAR TOO LONG !!

HEY!! BUT WHAT DO I KNOW?? I FOUND OUT FOR MYSELF, AS THE BUDDHA ADVISED !! - " BE A LAMP UNTO YOURSELF."

PERFECT ! NOT QUITE, EVERY TIME...

NOW FOR MY FRESHLY-SQEEZED ORANGE-JUICE (4 ORANGES)...I'M GASPING FOR IT. HAVE BEEN WAITING ALL MORNING..

10.30 A.M.

& A CYCLE-RIDE.

BY THE WAY, I DO LOVE BAKED BREADS, BUT REALLY BEST TO EMPHASIZE IMPORTANCE OF RAW FRUITS, SALADS, VEGETABLES,SEEDS AND NUTS - IN THAT ORDER !



CHEERS !!!

                                                                                    

*