The perfect loaf.

I love baking bread. The only problem is (or should I say was) that I am absolutely terrible at doing it. I only used whole grain flours. I think if I had given in and used a combination with white flour I would've gotten a better result but I just couldn't.

It wasn't until I gave up wheat a few weeks ago and started baking spelt bread that I finally got it right.
I chose this recipe out of all them because it was sugar-free (yes, I've given up sugar too).

The only thing I don't like about this recipe is I don't get to knead anything.





Original recipe here, only slightly modified below.


Three Minute Spelt Bread


Ingredients
750g Spelt Flour
15g Fast Action Yeast
75g Sunflower Seeds
75g Pumpkin Seeds
3/4tsp Sea Salt
750ml Warm Water
A couple of handfuls of oats, plus some for topping


Method
* Preheat oven to 200c, Gas Mark 6 (180c if using a fan oven).


1) Combine the dry ingredients in a very large mixing bowl. Add the water, mixing as you do so. You will be left with a very sticky, wet dough. It's best not to handle it by hand - use a wooden spoon or a spatula.





2) Mix well and turn into a greased loaf tin. Sprinkle oats over the top.





3) Bake for around 50 minutes. Please note this will probably depend on your oven so please keep an eye on it & check it towards the end of cooking time (though try to avoid opening the oven until you need to remove the loaf). The first time I made the bread I baked it for an hour as listed on the original recipe. It was far too long and I ended up with a very very crisp crust. 45 minutes seems to be perfect for my oven.





4) Remove from oven, cool, slice & enjoy!





The original recipe also mentioned that it is better left overnight in a cool place to rise before baking. I tried this the first time but I found that it rose and then collapsed again. I haven't tried it again since.
I only own one loaf tin so I increased the measurements by half to suit.

It tastes absolutely amazing with cheese! I can't get enough of it :)

Etsy Wishlist #1: Moxie & Oliver.

Moxie & Oliver have been on my favourites list pretty much since I joined Etsy. If I had the money I would indulge in their gorgeous bags, belts, guitar straps and more. For now I am saving up to have a custom watch made. I haven't had a watch in years. I think my friends & family would appreciate it if I owned one.
(I'd also quite like the trunk they photograph their items on !)

They offer a wide range of traditionally made leather goods adorned with either brightly coloured flowers, skulls and hearts or more subtle carved patterns. There's a design to suit every taste, if not they're always coming up with new designs it seems (as my wish list grows ever longer..) or you can request a custom order.

I love a well made leather belt. Seeing these makes me wish my current leather belt wasn't quite as well made, so I could replace it without any guilt.

2009.

I want to crochet more this year. I want to finish the wheel square blanket I started last year, and worked on for 3 months before getting bored, even though now there are about 5 different crochet square blankets I'd rather be making (including the rose square blanket which is shown on Stranger Than Fiction). You can never have too many crochet blankets though, surely?


I'm afraid to say Etsy has taken to the back burner for a while. I'm still making things to sell there, but have not listed them yet. I'd rather build up a stock and put them all on at once. Christmas seems to have drained the existing stock so I reduced the prices on virtually all.


It has been so long since I last wrote here! I doubt anyone missed me, but if you did you can always check my public posts on LiveJournal.
Christmas was absolutely lovely. I stayed with my mum, it was the most relaxed I've felt in years. I got lots of lovely things;





This is my favourite sale buy for January:



(because everybody needs to take Oregano on safari.)


One of my new years resolution was to give up smoking. It is going well, however my appetite has become somewhat ridiculous.
I cannot get enough food.



creamy scrambled eggs w/peppered mushrooms & parsley



muffin topped winter beef stew


A very belated 'Happy New Year' to everyone!