Celebrating Lammas

Lammas Bread

Ingredients:
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups bread flour, plus more if needed
1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds
2 tablespoons active dry yeast
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 cups milk, scalded
3 tablespoons smooth peanut butter
3 tablespoons honey

Directions:
Mix all the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add the peanut butter and the honey to the hot milk and stir to combine. Cool milk mix until it reaches 115ºF. Stir milk mix into flour mix. Knead for 15 minutes, adding more flour if necessary to make a smooth, elastic dough. Oil the dough’s surface, then cover with plastic or a damp towel. Let it rise in a warm spot until double. Punch down, then shape into 2 rectangle loaves or one large wreath. Let rise again until doubled. Bake at 375ºF until golden; it should make a hollow sound when tapped.

Yield: 1 large or 2 regular-sized loaves
Source: Stern, The Fairy Party Book

Honey Wheat Bread

INGREDIENTS
2 1/2 cups wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/2 cup of light honey
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 tablespoon grated orange rind
DIRECTIONS
Mix all ingredients together beating until well blended. Pour batter into a greased and floured 9 by 5 inch loaf pan. Let stand 20 minutes bake at 375 degrees for 45 to 60 minutes. Turn out on wire rack and cool.

Source:Celtic Folklore Cooking

Oat Bread
Ingredients

2 1/2 cups oatmeaal, ground fine
2 cups fresh buttermilk
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda

Directions

Steep the oatmeal in the buttermilk overnight. The next day, sift the flour salt and baking soda together, stir in the oatmeal mixture, add more milk if necessary, but dough should not be too wet. Put into heavily greased 9 by 5 by 2 1/2 inch loaf pan, turning once to coat all sides.
Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 1 to 1 1/2 hour, serve hot with butter.

Source: Celtic Folklore Cooking