Estonian Barley Skillet Bread Recipes

ESTONIAN BARLEY SKILLET BREAD

Steps:

• Mix the dry ingredients and caraway seeds (if using) together in a large dish.
• Whisk together the egg, buttermilk, and vegetable oil.
• Add the dry ingredients and mix until blended. Do not over mix. You will get something between batter and dough.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Brush an 8 inch cast-iron skillet with the butter.
• Spoon the mixture into the skillet and smooth top with a rubber spatula.
• Sprinkle the remaining butter over the top.
• Bake until golden brown and a cake tester comes out clean for about 50 minutes.

BARLEY BREAD

Steps:

• Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray.
• Put the first three ingredients (yeast, 1/2 tsp brown sugar and 1/2 cup warm water) in a small bowl and mix well. Let the yeast bubble and foam.
• In a large bowl add 1 cup of the barley flour and the remaining 1/2 cup warm water. Mix together well.
• Add the 1 1/2 tsp brown sugar, the oil, and the salt and mix well.
• Add the yeast mixture and mix well.
• Add the bean flour and mix well.
• Add as much more barley flour as you need to make a kneadable dough (mine took the entire 1 more cup).
• Put some more barley flour down on a work surface and then knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic.
• Form 2 small balls and place them on the cookie sheet. Make a small cut in the tops of each.
• Let rise until doubled (mine did not get that big but I baked them after about 2 hours).
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 1 hour.

SKILLET BREAD

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine the water, yeast and sugar. Let stand for 5 minutes.
• In another bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and stir with fork until a soft dough forms. Add a little flour if necessary.
• Knead for 1 minute in the bowl while adding flour to prevent sticking.
• Cover with a clean cloth. Let the dough rise for about 30 minutes in a warm place, away from drafts (in the microwave oven, for example).
• On a floured surface, roll out the dough in two 20 cm (8 in) in diameter discs.
• In a cast iron skillet, heat half the butter and cook one bread over medium heat for about 3 minutes on each side. Repeat with the remaining butter and bread. Cut into wedges and serve hot.