I’m having a love affair with spelt at the moment. I’d been meaning to for quite some time, and then finally I bought some, the love affair could begin.
I had dibble dabbled a little before but not like this. Not 10kg bag fulls of the wholesome goodness that it is. Sourdough loaves were switched to spelt, a variety of scones were made with spelt, caramelised onion sourdough rings were ripped apart, toasted spelt muesli was munched on, spelt and walnut bread rolls were teamed up with swiss cheese and inhaled. Spelt knekkebrod was revisited and spelt pancakes were jostled over. Slowly my bag full of spelt, got smaller and smaller.
It’s an ancient grain that has seen a relatively recent revival. Giving a slightly nutty flavour, I’ve just been substituting it with my regular flours and decreasing the liquid in the recipes. The Monkey’s haven’t noticed anything different funnily enough and still eating everything with boyhood enthusiasm. All baked goods have got a thumbs up from Mr Chocolate, and me?
Well I just think it’s a whole bundle of spelt goodness.
Honey Spiced Spelt Scones
1 1/2 cups s/r flour
1 1/2 cups wholemeal spelt flour
a pinch of salt
a pinch of cardamom, cinnamon, ginger
1 cup cream
1 cup water
2 heaped tablespoons honey
Lightly mix wet ingredients to dry, and turn out to a really well floured surface. Lightly knead using your finger tips mostly, bringing it all together (you don’t want to handle it a lot.) Cut into circles (an upturned glass works well.) and place on a greased or lined baking tray. Bake at 220C for approximately 20 mins or until a light golden.
Spelt Pancakes
50g melted butter
1 beaten egg
1 1/2 cups spelt flour
1 1/2 cups milk
cityhippyfarmgirl 
I got quite excited by Spelt a while ago and enthusiastically ordered a second 10kg bag before the first one was over. Sadly the second batch was a disaster – nothing worked with it. Lots of bread bricks made and offered to the chickens. And because I had bagged it up into big zip lock bags and mixed with first batch, using spelt became a toss of the coin as to whether it would work or not. In frustration I gave up entirely on it. I must give it another try though as it does have such a lovely flavour. Where did you get yours from?
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Now I wonder what the difference was with your flours?…I’m curious. The flour I’ve been using is from Southern Cross Supplies, (thanks to the lovely Celia :-)) There are a few different brands that I would like to check out, but I thought I would try this one out first as my proper trial one.
What was the main problem with the flour do you think?
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Brydie, you’ll need to get another bag soon! 🙂
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Thanks for the point in the right direction Celia.
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I haven’t used spelt flour before but I do buy spelt pasta and my kids can’t tell the difference. I just wish it wasn’t four times the price of regular pasta! Your spelt pancakes look really good and I’d love to try your scones xx
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Apparently it’s a bit trickier to process compared with regular wheat, which is why it’s more expensive. Pastry is next on my list to try.
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I have just been given a cake recipe using spelt 🙂 I also use a glass as a scone cutter!
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They’re the best cutters Tandy 🙂
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that all looks wonderful…mouth a watering here :0
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Thanks Jen. I think there could be a few more to come!
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Brydie you are encouraging. I’ve got some spelt flour but I haven’t made much use of it, that will change!
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Excellent Rose. I’d love to see what you do with it.
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Literally just wrote a post about my spelt obsession! I can totally relate!! http://thesecondserving.com/2012/09/17/spelt-grain-risotto-with-dried-mushrooms-peas/
Your bread looks GORGEOUS! Jealous! Might have to try making those scones 🙂
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Hooray for spelt!
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Ooh, thank you – I have not yet immersed myself in spelt, but this will be just the prompt I need. Or at least, it will be when I return to normal life and my kitchen (and I’m not in too much of a rush for that, in truth 🙂 ).
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Oh hell no Kari, don’t be in a rush at all. Linger, linger, linger. Immerse yourself and maybe have another glass of wine. Your kitchen and spelt can wait!
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Looks great. I hadn’t felt the urge to get back into my bread making for a few weeks, but I am looking forward to getting a UK starter back on the go now I’m settled.
Are the breads coming out of the new mixer? I’d love to hear a review.
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Richard I’d love to give you a review! Alas, still not in my hot little hands. I’m currently playing phone tag, it’s close though (I hope.)
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I have been meaning to do some cooking with spelt but havent managed it yet. Looks like you are doing a fantastic job with it and Ill wait for you to do a few more recipes. ( makes it easier for me hehe)
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I’ll see what I can do Tania 🙂
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I really like spelt in the breads I’ve made- especially the Quinoa flat bread. It is too expensive to play with for my purposes- but I totally enjoy watching your experience!
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The quinoa gives bread a lovely moistness doesn’t it. That’s another grain I need to play with more.
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Spelt is the local grain here, so it is in the supermarkets and delis in all forms. I have to try your pancakes.
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Debra I’d be interested in how the Italians use it as a whole grain and how they incorporate it into their every day dishes.
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Your spelt baking all looks delicious – especially those loaves. I really enjoy working with spelt – it seems somehow less bitter, sweeter perhaps than regular wholemeal flour and softer and more yielding. I think my bag is nearly gone, but it was only 1kg to start with!
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your spelt baking sounds delicious – I have dibble dabbled in spelt but not for some time – partly to keep my flours to a minimum – I am impressed that you are going through 10kg bags – that is some baking!
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Oh I wish spelt agreed with me! Some InTolerants can eat it with no issues, just not me 😦
Your recipes sound just lovely, and the Lacy edges of your pancakes is very pretty indeed!
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Yum, I will definitely have to try your scone recipe during the school holidays.
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You know, I’ve never cooked with spelt before nor eaten that much of it. Your spelt recipes look amazing though! Love the look of the spelt pancakes though. I’ll look for some spelt flour this weekend 🙂
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I am a fan and have been using it in my bread the last few weeks. I haven’t tried pancakes though, what a great idea 🙂
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