Bread Making

Bread has long been one of the the staple foods; indeed it holds a place in most belief systems.

Making your own bread might seem laborious but it is really worth the effort. Not only does it taste considerably better than the mass-produced version, but it is healthier to eat. Making bread can also be an act of magic in itself. As you add the ingredients think about the bounty of the Goddess and the God and the land they have come from. Dedicate your work to the Old Gods as an offering of your own.

There is not enough space here to discuss recipes, but select a fairly simple one to start with. As the best bread is that which is allowed to rise4 really slowly it can be best to start the process the evening before you want to cook it. If you have access to a bread machine, use it to make the basic dough but go on to knead it and shape it yourself. Bread making has been described as a good way to relieve stress, so make the most of this by not setting yourself impractical deadlines! Once the bread has risen and been kneaded a first time it can be shaped and decorated with seeds, nuts and other additions. At this time of year a harvest loaf can be the centerpiece of your Altar as well as the focus of your feast. You can create it in the shape of a wheat sheaf, a plait or, if you are feeling ambitious, a corn man.

"Bread and life both need warmth and time."

~from the Real Witches Year by Kate West

My partner's grandma makes homemade bread every week.  I love going to his house and snacking on her buns and breads.  His family is from France, so it's amazing how different their styles of making bread is than ours, since she makes the ... long style of bread that I can't remember what it's truly called.  I'm not a very good baker (or cook for that matter), which I'm kinda sad because I'd love to be able to make something healthy for me and the boys to eat.  Not to mention adding a bit of Magick to help settle our nerves down for being cramped inside a small suite.  While Chris is supportive to be dating a Witch, the other two are less then thrilled, but they don't seem to mind coming home to a home when I finish up a home blessing renewal spell to freshen up.

I think I'm going to try my hand at making bread, just to see how I do.  ^_^