National Homemade Bread Day: A Rustic Celebration

Hey there, fellow nature and kitchen enthusiasts! I want to alert you to an upcoming celebration: National Homemade Bread Day, it’s the perfect occasion for those who find joy in natural living and working with their hands, whether it's in the garden or the kitchen.

For those breadmakers among us, you’ll know what I mean when I say there's something truly magical about baking bread. It mirrors the cycles of nature itself. Much like planting a seed and watching it grow, breadmaking starts with some key ingredients—flour, water, yeast, and salt—all contributing to the transformation process.

Garden and Grain

Picture this - you've been nurturing your garden throughout the season, watching your plants flourish with a handsome harvest. Now, you decide to foster that spirit in the kitchen! You opt to start with a popular bread, the sourdough starter. Much like composting or maintaining a garden bed, a sourdough starter needs regular feeding and care. Its living culture captures wild yeasts from the air, which gives the bread an irresistible tangy flavor. 

Imagine kneading your favorite herbs into your dough. A loaf speckled with fresh rosemary, basil, or oregano not only tastes delightful, but also connects your garden harvests directly to your dining table. Finally, consider heirloom grains like Einkorn or Spelt, similar to heirloom tomatoes. They might be harder to find, but they carry wonderful flavors that are largely lost to modern agriculture!

A Journey of Bread Making

Harvesting your own wheat and making bread might seem laborious at first, but you’ll find it well worth the effort. The flour from your own wheat will give off a warm, nutty aroma, unlike store-bought varieties. Your breads will have a golden crust and chewy texture, as a testament to the seasons, and nature’s bounty harvested from your efforts. 

And you don't need a wheat field to enjoy the rewards of homemade bread. Even a small herb garden is enough to add some delightful touches. Imagine a bread loaf with rosemary, infusing a woodsy depth to the dough, or sourdough with a touch of thyme, reminding you of the earthy notes of your garden. These combinations will entice your taste buds!

Baking as Meditation

Many of us find solace in gardening, while breadmaking can be equally therapeutic. The smell of bread reminds us of the simple joys of wholesome living. It’s a relaxing and meditative practice, grounding you in the present moment as you watch your dough rise and take shape, much like tending to your plants. Take it as an opportunity to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with nature, as well as something deeply satisfying.

A good example is the classic sourdough loaf. A good sourdough starter requires patience to make, just like tending to and nurturing your garden. You will be rewarded with a delectably complex, tangy bread that's as rustic as the wild yeast that leavened it.

On National Homemade Bread Day, I encourage you to embrace this wonderful journey from seed to crust. It's all about connecting with nature, and the joy of bringing something from its bounty to new life. Whether you're baking with simple grains or garden herbs, remember that each loaf tells a story—a story of simple wholesome living, and the pleasure of homemade bread.