Doing the No Grocery Shopping Challenge has me thinking how important bread was at meal time to feed a large hungry family. Breads definitely help to stretch a meal — that’s something I definitely learned doing this challenge.
Bread doesn’t have to be complicated — it can be as simple as this cast iron bannock.
We enjoyed some old fashioned bannock with our meal today. It’s delicious and kind of like a biscuit as I baked it whole as a loaf and then sliced it at meal time. It’s delicious!! Bannock was cooked in different ways in the 1800’s and earlier. It was a staple in the early days because it doesn’t require yeast.
Let’s get started!
In a bowl, add whole wheat flour, regular flour, salt, and baking powder. Stir.
Crumble in butter.
Add water and stir well.
You may have to add a bit more water, depending upon the weather and the flour you’re using. Add just enough until the dough comes together.
Turn dough onto counter. Instead of kneading, I fold the dough over, turn it and fold it over a couple more times to build layers, much like you do for pie crust or biscuits. I shaped it into a round. I let it rest for about 10 minutes.
Place grease in cast iron pan and heat in oven at 350F. I always place the cast iron pan in the oven cold and then start the oven. I am using a bit of canola oil and bacon grease.
Once heated, remove pan from oven, shape bannock and place in centre of pan. I just flattened the bannock out slightly and placed it in the hot pan.
Bake at 350F for 20 to 30 minutes or until golden. Look at that beautiful bannock!
Remove from pan and let cool slightly before slicing or breaking into pieces. This goes well with any meal like homemade soup.
Cast Iron Bannock
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup regular flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp baking powder
1/2 cup butter or bacon/beef drippings
1-1/2 cups water
In a bowl, add whole wheat flour, regular flour, salt, and baking powder. Stir. Crumble in butter. Add water and stir well. Place grease in cast iron pan and heat in oven at 350F. I always place the cast iron pan in the oven cold and then start the oven. Once heated, remove pan from oven, shape bannock and place in centre of pan. Bake at 350F for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden. Remove from pan and let cool slightly before slicing or breaking into pieces. Serve with butter, cheez whiz, peanut butter or jam. This also goes well with any meal like homemade soup.
enjoy from Our City Homestead to yours