How to make No-knead Kefir bread on a Snowy Slushy Snainy day!

The snow was a bit of a disappointment yesterday but we did  get about two inches of snowy slushy snainy rain. Snain is Viv’s new word for snow mixed with rain. I like it! We got snained! And while the wind was blowing the weather  in, everyone hunkered down in the barn, like those beautiful tiny strong old ladies who sit with their brown prayers and second-to-best coats at Mass on a weekday morning, tolling their beads. Waiting. Serene.

I was hoping for a more dramatic snow event when I began this series but ah well. Water came out of the sky as ice, rain and snow. But it was warm enough not to be too much of a bother as the snain was melting as fast as it was falling which is great news for the fields.

It was a good day for making bread. Bread made with Kefir will take at least two days to complete. This suits my lifestyle as long as I remember to start the next one when I get the hot one out of the oven. Once a rhythm is established the process manages itself.  I find it a relaxed process, if you leave it for an extra hour, one way or the other it seems to work out ok.

No Knead Kefir Bread

Step One: Mix together.

• One cup of active alive kefir
• One cup of bread flour
• One cup of warm filtered water
• One big tablespoon of honey.

Let sit covered in a warm spot for at least 24 hours. Stir two or three times during this period. I have left it up to three days with excellent results. As you can see once again I have written a recipe that I can remember without consulting a piece of paper.  Lazy girl.

When it has doubled in size a few times (after the gentle stir) and is nice and fluffy, add –

• 4 cups flour
•  1/4 cup warm water if necessary
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• salt to taste or not.

You want a tacky elastic mixture. This will not look like a normal bread dough. No need to knead.  Allow to rise in a very well oiled bread tin until doubled again, often about three hours.

Cook at 400F for 50 minutes (depending on your oven). This is the easiest bread I have ever made as long as you are happy to let it take its time.  It does tend to stick to the sides of the tin though, or possibly I need a new one!! But oil your loaf tin well just in case.

Good morning.  The home-schooled children are coming this morning. Hopefully John will be able to get the trailer out to collect a big round bale of grass hay to go down the back for Queenie, The Bobby and Hairy. It will sit on the round concrete pad and we will push it into the corner where three little fields meet, then lock it in with a pig panel to try avoid too much waste. Then Daisy can come over and have a munch as well. The big round bales are very heavy, our tractor cannot carry one, so there is a bit of luck involved when we push it off the trailer and into the corner, if it rolls the wrong way I will have to make a new plan!!

You all have a lovely day. 

See you later in the comments lounge. I learn so much over there, it is thrilling to get so much good advice in the comments. I really mean that.

celi