SOAKED WHOLE WHEAT & CINNAMON RIASIN BREAD

I've been thinking a lot about nourishment recently. Maybe it's being a new mom and breastfeeding. Maybe it's always been a curiosity and maternity leave has given me the space to explore. Maybe it's the influence of our pediatrician who strongly believes in the power of food and nutrition for health. Maybe it's all of the above (probably this one). Baking has always intimidated me, but I've been branching out. Today I tried my hand at bread. It turned out BEAUTIFULLY!

SOAKED WHOLE WHEAT & CINNAMON RAISIN BREAD

INGREDIENTS

1 c. whole milk (I use raw)
1 1/4 c. water
5 1/2 - 6 c. whole wheat flour
2 Tbs apple cider vinegar
2 tsp sea salt
4 tsp active dry yeast
1/4 c. honey





For Cinnamon Raisin Bread:
2-3 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 c. honey
1/2 c. raisins

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine milk, water, vinegar and flour (one c. at a time). The dough should be sticky and a bit stiff. Cover the bowl with a towel. Allow to sit overnight (12-24 hrs.).
2. After the soaking period, add the honey, salt, and yeast to the flour mixture. Attach the dough hook and knead dough for 8-10 minutes. Depending on the flour, you may need a 1/2 c. more flour to reach stiff, workable dough.
3. Cover the bowl with a towel. Allow the dough to rise in a warm place for 1 - 1 1/2 hrs. until doubled in size.
4. Once doubled in size, gently punch down and form the dough into two equal balls.
5. If making sandwich bread, roll one ball with a rolling pin into a rectangular shape. Roll dough into a loaf and place in a buttered bread pan.
6. If making Cinnamon Raisin Bread, roll one ball with a rolling pin into a rectangular shape. Spread the dough with honey, then sprinkle the 2-3 teaspoons of cinnamon, and 1/2 c. of raisins. Roll the dough into a loaf and place in a buttered bread pan.
7. Preheat the oven to 350F.
8. Cover the pans with a towel and allow to rise as oven preheats (30 minutes).
9. Bake for 40 minutes.
10. Allow to cool before slicing.

*Thanks to Kristin and her blog Livesimply.me for the great recipe!!

Caffeine on the go...

Homemade coffee shots. YUM!

How Shall I Pray?

How shall I pray?
    Are tears prayers, Lord?
    Are screams prayers,
        or groans
            or sighs
                or curses?
Can trembling hands be lifted to you,
    or clenched fists
        or the cold sweat that trickles down my back
            or the cramps that knot my stomach?
Will you accept my prayers, Lord,
    my real prayers,
        rooted in the muck and mud and rock of my life,
and not just my pretty, cut-flower, gracefully arranged
    bouquet of words?
Will you accept me, Lord,
    as I really am,
        messed up mixture of glory and grime?
Lord, help me!
Help me to trust that you do accept me as I am,
that I may be done with self-condemnation
    and self-pity,
        and accept myself.
Help me to accept you as you are, Lord:
    mysterious,
        hidden,
            strange,
                unknowable;
and yet to trust
    that your madness is wiser
        than my timid, self-seeking sanities,
and that nothing you've ever done
    has really been possible,
so I may dare to be a little mad, too.