Spelt Bread with Orange

Experience a unique blend of flavors with Spelt Bread infused with the essence of orange. This recipe yields a single loaf of bread, where the vibrant citrus notes from freshly simmered orange peel harmonize with the nutty richness of spelt flour. The result is a fragrant and delicious bread that is sure to delight your senses.

So, embark on a culinary adventure with Spelt Bread with Orange, and savor a unique and aromatic bread that brings together the freshness of citrus and the wholesome goodness of spelt, delivering a memorable and delightful taste experience.

Makes 1 loaf

INGREDIENTS:

RYE SOURDOUGH:

• ¾ cup (200 ml) water, room temperature
• 2 cups (200 g) finely ground rye flour
• ½ cup (100 g) grated apple, peeled

STEP 1:

• ½ of a regular-sized orange

STEP 2:

• Orange peel pieces
• 7 oz (200 g) rye sourdough starter
• 1 cup (200 ml) water, room temperature
• ½ tbsp (10 g) salt
• 1 tsp (5 g) fennel
• Approximately 6–7 cups (600–700 g) spelt flour, sifted

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Combine the ingredients and let stand for 2–4 days in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Stir in the mornings and evenings.
2. The starter is ready when the mixture starts to bubble. From this point on, all you have to do is “feed” the dough so that it retains its flavor and ability to ferment. If you leave the sourdough in the refrigerator, you should feed it once a week with ½ cup (100 ml) water and 1 cup (100 g) wheat flour. If you keep the sourdough at room temperature, it should be fed every day, in the same manner. The consistency should resemble thick porridge.
3. If you have sourdough left over, you can freeze it in containers that hold half a cup or leave a part of it to dry

STEP 1:

1. Peel the orange and simmer the peel in water for a few minutes.
2. Remove the peel from the water and let it cool slightly.
3. Using a spoon, scrape away the white part on the inside of the peel.
4. Chop the peel into small pieces.

STEP 2:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the orange peel pieces, rye sourdough starter, water, salt, fennel, and gradually add the spelt flour while mixing. Spelt flour doesn’t absorb liquid in the same way as regular wheat flour, so add the last few cups of flour slowly.
2. Knead the dough well until it is smooth and elastic.
3. Let the dough rise for about 30 minutes in a warm place.
4. Shape the dough into a round loaf and place it on a greased baking sheet.
5. Allow the dough to rise until it has doubled in size, which can take up to a few hours.
6. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
7. Bake the bread for about 25 minutes, or until it is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
8. Remove the bread from the oven and brush it with water to add moisture and enhance the crust.

Enjoy your freshly baked Spelt Bread with Orange, where the subtle citrus flavor of the orange peel perfectly complements the natural acidity of the bread. This unique combination, along with the aromatic touch of fennel, creates a delightful and aromatic bread that will be a wonderful addition to any meal or enjoyed on its own.