Wood-fired, wild-yeasted, whole grain
While mixing bread dough last week, I listened to a captivating podcast called “Bread: The Rise and Fall.” It was from CBC Radio’s Ideas program, initially aired in 2017.
It was captivating because it was a deep dive into the cultural, religious, and symbolic aspects of our favourite subject here, bread.… Continue reading
Several years ago, Jennifer and I rented an old farmhouse in the Burgundy region of France. La Roche Vineuse was a small village near Mâcon, a little more than an hour north of Lyon. In the month we were there, we grew into the rhythms and life of the rural farming community.… Continue reading
Watch and listen to U.S. poet Michael McClure (above) recite an excerpt from the General Prologue to Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales. The poem, from the late 1300s, is one of the first great works of literature when English as we know it was taking shape.… Continue reading
During last week’s great hot cross bun bake-off, I found companionship, joy, and energy in The Beatles. I am not kidding!
Do this right now: find the original recording of John Lennon singing Twist and Shout (on the Please Please Me album)! I defy anyone not to stay still, let alone dance, while listening to this ball of energy.… Continue reading
Last week’s Baker’s Choice — The Approachable Loaf — proved to be a bit of a hit. People loved the taste, its versatility, ease of cutting, pillowy texture, and keeping ability. It’s a sandwich loaf, first and foremost, but it also toasts well. I really enjoyed a slice, slathered with butter, alongside a bowl of spicy lentil soup.… Continue reading