Simple and delicious breads

In a recent post, I wrote about my bread making journey of discovery. It started with coconut bread and has continued!! I'm not sure if it was the influence of revelling on St Patrick's Day, but in the spirit of getting in touch with my own Irish heritage I decided to make a batch of Guinness Brown Bread. 

This bread is perfect served simply with jam and fresh fruit - or for a more authentic Irish twist try it with a hefty slathering of creamy butter and thickly sliced smoked salmon - or some plump juicy oysters. I actually deviated from the traditional Irish path and served my Guinness Bread to friends at a recent brunch along with a spicy Moroccan style breakfast tagine. The toasty carmel flavours of the bread balanced beautiful with the savoury garlic, paprika and cumin flavours of the tagine. 

If you feel like a simpler style of bread, this recipe for classic homemade wholemeal bread is super simple and super delicious. 

However, be warned - using 100% wholemeal will not give you a huge fluffy loaf of bread - it rises but not greatly. While your bread may not look like a huge high top - it will leave your kitchen smelling like heaven. Is there anthing better than the smell of freshly baked bread? 

Possibly eating a slice straight from the oven with creamy tangy Persian fetta, juicy ripe tomatoes, a sprinkling or rigani and a generous drizzle of your favourite olive oil.