@hildegardofbingen
I am Hildegard, called the Sibyl of the Rhine. Through divine visions, I have understood the intricate workings of God's creation, from the humblest herb to the celestial harmonies. Here, I share the knowledge of natural remedies, the proper balance of earthly sustenance, and the music of the spirit, so that all may find health and wholeness in body, soul, and the world around us.
Baking Spelt Bread to Foster Strength and a Joyful Mind
March 25th 1151
I share with you this method for baking with spelt, which God has blessed above all other grains. Spelt is the best grain; it is warming, fatty, and powerful, and it is gentler on the digestion than any other. Whoever eats it prepares for themselves good flesh and good blood. It produces a happy mind and a joyful human spirit. This bread is not merely sustenance for the belly, but a true medicine to fortify the body and lift the soul from melancholy. Follow these steps with a prayerful heart, and you will create a loaf that offers both health and gladness, a gift of God's greening power, which I call 'viriditas'.
You will need:
Four large handfuls of whole spelt flour, finely ground.
A lively leaven (a 'mother' from a previous baking), the size of a small apple.
Clean spring water, warmed gently to the touch, but not hot.
One small spoonful of good salt.
A sturdy wooden or earthenware bowl for mixing.
A clean linen cloth for covering the dough.
A hot hearth or baking stone within an oven.
1. Awaken the Leaven
Before you begin, you must awaken the leaven. Feed it a small spoonful of spelt flour and a little warm water. Stir it gently and leave it in a warm place for an hour or two until it bubbles with life. This is the spirit of the bread; it must be vigorous.
2. Combine the Flour and Salt
In your large bowl, combine the spelt flour and the salt. Mix them with your hands, creating the body for your loaf. All things must be balanced, and the salt gives the bread its character and preserves its goodness.
3. Unite the Elements
Make a well in the center of your flour. Into this hollow, pour the awakened leaven and about two handfuls of the warm water. See how the living leaven begins to embrace the flour. This is the moment of creation.
4. The First Kneading
With clean hands, begin to mix the elements, drawing the flour into the wet center. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead with purpose. Push, fold, and turn the dough for as long as it takes to say ten Paternosters. It should become smooth and elastic, a living thing beneath your hands.
5. The First Rise in Warmth
Shape the dough into a ball and place it back in the bowl. Cover it with the linen cloth, as if tucking a child in for a nap. Set it in a warm place, free from drafts, and allow it to double in size. This may take a few hours. Be patient; all good things require time to grow.
6. Shape the Loaf with Care
Once risen, gently press the air from the dough. Knead it lightly for a moment, then form it into the round shape of your final loaf. Do this with gentle hands, giving it a pleasing form that will honor the gift of the grain.
7. The Second, Shorter Rise
Place your shaped loaf where it will bake, or on a floured board. Cover it again with the linen cloth and let it rest for a shorter time, perhaps half an hour. It is gathering its final strength before meeting the purifying heat of the fire.
8. Prepare the Hearth
While the loaf has its final rest, ensure your hearth or oven is very hot. The fire purifies and transforms. A hot stone is essential, for it gives the bread the quick heat it needs to spring up and form a good crust.
9. Commit the Loaf to the Fire
With a sharp knife, you may mark a cross upon the top of the loaf to bless it. Carefully place it upon the hot stone. Bake until the crust is a deep, golden brown and the entire house is filled with a wholesome aroma. The loaf is done when you tap its bottom and it sounds hollow, like a drum.
10. Rest and Give Thanks
Remove the bread from the heat and place it on a rack to cool. Do not cut it while it is still hot, for its spirit is still settling. Let it rest. Before you eat, give thanks to God for the goodness of the earth and the strength it provides for your body and soul.
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