Hearty Whole Wheat Skillet Bread

I think bread can be beautiful.

I am fascinated by the connection food has in our lives. How it connects us with the land, with each other, and how all of it makes us feel. It’s almost like there was design in this, like this was part of the plan. It’s almost as if food matters.

In many ways we have made our food an enemy, by exchanging this wonderful magic of connection and wholeness for processed convenience.

But we can resist the enemy. We can make bread. And bread can be beautiful!

I fell in love with baking years ago when I was younger and working in a commercial bakery. At that time, almost everything we made was from scratch. I found myself caught up in the recipes and the methodology of baking and I suppose all of this has made a mark on my inner soul. Years have passed, and now that I am returning to the baking process it’s like a kind of homecoming. A familiarity. Like being moved once again by a beloved song that hasn’t been heard for years.

I really do think that baking and making food can be a spiritual thing for some of us. It’s that connection, remember, that makes it special. Sharing with loved ones. Moving others to experience that beauty.

And so in that spirit I share with you this recipe for a hearty bread full of nuts and seeds and wholesome goodness. And of course with love.

I hope you’ll enjoy.

 

What you’ll need:

• 4 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour
• 2 1/4 tsp active or instant yeast
• 2 1/2 cups lukewarm water
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 2 cups chopped walnuts
• 1 cup raw pumpkin seed
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp vanilla
• Cinnamon, to sprinkle on top
• 9 grain oats, to sprinkle on top

 

 

Step One: In a large bowl, mix the lukewarm water with your yeast. Let this sit for a few minutes to activate the yeast. Then add half of the flour and stir so that there are no lumps and your batter is smooth.

Step Two: Add salt, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, honey and vanilla and mix well. Then add the rest of your flour while mixing the dough. Add a little more water if needed to incorporate all of the flour but your final dough should not be sticky.

Step 3: Pour a small amount of olive oil into your cast iron skillet and wipe entire surface with a paper towel, spreading the oil. Form the dough into a  large round and place into the center of your skillet. Let the dough sit for an hour to rise (you may need to cover with plastic).

Step Four: After your dough has proofed (roughly twice in size), preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Place your skillet on a middle rack and bake for 20 minutes.

Step Five: After 20 minutes, pull the skillet from the oven. Drizzle honey over the top of your bread. Top with 9 grain oats and then sprinkle cinnamon. Then put back in the oven at 400 for another 15 minutes.

Step Six: After you pull the skillet out the second time, remove bread from your skillet and let sit on a cooling rack for a few moments before slicing.

Great for a yummy, wholesome breakfast treat or midday snack. Just add coffee.

Be well my friends –