How to Make Delicious and Nutritious Sourdough Nettles Bread
by Feli Chic'Cuisine
Sourdough bread is known for its health benefits and delicious taste. But what happens when we incorporate nettles, a plant packed with essential nutrients? Well, we achieve a delightful and nutritious combination!
So, I'm delighted to introduce you to the authentic culinary experience offered by this artisan bread with sourdough and nettles! A bread without kneading! Every time I bake this bread, I feel a deep connection to tradition and nature. I adore how the aroma of nettles blends with the soft texture and distinctive flavor of sourdough, creating an unforgettable treat.
Not only is the taste remarkable, but also the health benefits that this bread provides. With each slice, you not only enjoy a delicious snack but also receive a valuable dose of essential nutrients for your body.
What is spirulina?
In addition to this recipe, I've included a teaspoon of natural spirulina to enhance nutrient content and give the bread a green hue, symbolizing nature's resurgence with its vibrant freshness.
Spirulina is a micro-algae prized for its high protein, fiber, essential vitamins, and mineral content. Its rich chlorophyll content gives the bread a pleasing green color, accentuating the flavor and freshness of the natural ingredients. It's a valuable addition that complements the taste and nutritional advantages of nettle bread, offering a delightful and healthy culinary experience.
This recipe requires no kneading, making it an ideal choice for busy schedules or novice bakers who want to enjoy homemade sourdough without the hassle of traditional kneading techniques. With minimal effort, you can still achieve a delicious loaf of bread with a beautifully airy texture and crisp crust.
Nettle - a Nutrient Powerhouse
Nettles are plants renowned for their abundance of proteins, vitamins, and minerals such as vitamins A and C, iron, and calcium. Typically harvested during the spring and summer when the plants are young and vibrant, nettles offer a multitude of health benefits.
Some of the advantages of incorporating nettles into your diet include:
High Nutrient Content: Nettles serve as an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals, promoting overall health and well-being.
Immune System Support: With their high vitamin C content, nettles can bolster the immune system, aiding in disease prevention and overall immune health.
Skin and Hair Health: The nutrients found in nettles contribute to maintaining healthy skin and hair, thanks to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Digestive Health: Consumption of nettles can help promote digestion and enhance the absorption of nutrients from food.
Anti-inflammatory Properties: Active compounds in nettles have been linked to reducing inflammation and alleviating symptoms associated with inflammatory conditions.
Incorporating nettles into your diet can offer numerous health benefits, and this sourdough nettle bread provides a delicious and nutritious way to enjoy them.
What is Sourdough Bread?
Traditional sourdough bread is a type of bread made using a natural fermentation process that involves wild yeast and lactobacilli bacteria. Unlike commercial yeast, which is added to dough to facilitate rising, sourdough relies on the naturally occurring yeast and bacteria present in the flour and the environment.
The process begins by creating a sourdough starter, also known as a "mother dough" or "levain," which is a mixture of flour and water that is allowed to ferment over several days. During fermentation, the yeast and bacteria in the starter feed on the carbohydrates in the flour, producing carbon dioxide gas and acids. This process gives sourdough its characteristic tangy flavor and helps to leaven the bread.
To make sourdough bread, the starter is mixed with additional flour, water, and salt to form a dough, which is then allowed to ferment for several hours or even days. The long fermentation period not only develops flavor but also breaks down gluten and other proteins in the flour.
A notable feature of sourdough bread is its extended fermentation process, which aids in breaking down the gluten present in the dough. This renders the bread more digestible and facilitates better absorption by individuals with gluten sensitivity or intolerance.
What is Sourdough Starter?
Before diving into sourdough baking, you'll need a sourdough starter.
Put simply, a sourdough starter is a living mixture of flour and water.
When combined, this mixture begins to ferment, harnessing wild yeasts and bacteria present in the environment. A portion of this culture is used to leaven your bread dough.
To keep your starter thriving, regular feedings of flour and water are essential to maintain its strength for optimal rising ability.
Here's how I do it: I remove a portion of the starter (about half), then replenish the remaining portion in the jar with equal parts flour and water. After whisking the mixture until smooth, I let it sit at room temperature or in a warm spot (ideally 75-80º F / 24-26º C) until it becomes bubbly and active.
Video Recipe
The Nettle Bread Recipe is simple, requiring no kneading but a bit more time. Therefore, I suggest preparing it in the evening and letting it rest overnight to relax and allow the gluten to develop, resulting in a beautifully airy texture.
Instead of boiling, the nettles are finely chopped and incorporated directly into the dough. With the addition of nettles, the bread retains its moisture, yielding a springy texture without becoming overly dense.
To honor this humble yet remarkable plant, let's embark on a culinary adventure with this nettle bread recipe—a harmonious blend of nutritional excellence.
In celebration of this humble yet remarkable plant, let's embark on a culinary journey with a recipe for nettle and spirulina bread—a fusion of nutritional powerhouses.
Prep. Time: 2 days
Cooking time: 1 hour
Serves: Makes 1 loaf
Ingredients
250g Wholemeal bread flour
250g White flour
350g-400g lukewarm water
150g bubbly, active sourdough starter
A handful nettle shoots, washed and finely chopped
7g spirulina
8g salt
Method
STEP 1 - Autolyse
In a big bowl, mix together Wholemeal bread flour, white flour water. Mix well to combine all ingredients. Then cover and let it rest for 30 minutes at room temperature.
STEP 2 - Fermentolyse
Incorporate the salt, active sourdough starter, finely chopped nettle, and spirulina into the dough mixture. Ensure all ingredients are well combined. Next, With your hand like a fork, gather the dough, gently stretching it from the edges and folding it towards the center. Repeat this process several times (see the video). Sprinkle wheat flour over the dough to prevent its surface from drying out. Cover it with a kitchen towel, and allow it to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
STEP 3
Stretch and fold the dough repeatedly, avoiding kneading. The dough should be soft and sticky. Wetting your hand with water will aid in folding the dough. Sprinkle wholemeal flour over the dough, cover it with a towel and let it rest overnight at room temperature. Allow the dough to develop its gluten for 6 to 12 hours.
STEP 4 - Next day
Generously dust a proofing basket or bowl with flour. Turn the dough, which has been left overnight, onto a surface generously sprinkled with flour. Shape it into a round, gently folding the edges toward the center without kneading or deflating the dough. The dough will be quite soft. Carefully transfer it to the prepared basket or bowl, sprinkle with flour, and let it rest for an hour. During this time, you'll notice air bubbles forming from the fermentation process.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 250°C / fan 230°C / gas mark 10. Place a cast iron pot with a lid inside the oven to heat up.
STEP 5 - Bake
Carefully!! It's hot!! Line the pan with baking paper. Place the loaf top side down in the hot cast iron pot.
Using a razor blade, make a slash in the dough or create decorative patterns. Put the lid on and bake for 35 minutes. Then bake uncovered for 15 minutes more.
Let it cool before slicing. Enjoy with butter, fresh cheese, goat cheese, or vegetable tapenades for a delightful culinary experience.
Enjoy!
“Food, like a loving touch or a glimpse of divine power, has that ability to comfort"― Norman Kolpa
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