Demeter is the Greek Goddess of the harvest. She is the mother of Persephone and if you are interested you can read more about her life in mythology if you would like. If you are wondering why I am bringing up an ancient goddess well, it’s a sneaky lead in to a whole wheat bread recipe. I figured it was far better than telling you how much I hate the stuff but I make it for the hubby. Oh, I guess I did that anyway. Let’s celebrate this goddess of the harvest with a simple yet delicious bread that works well for a sandwich, toast or for stuffing.

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To make this even a more dedicated post, the hubby even ground the wheat to make this bread. How cool is that? We had gone on a trip to St. Ignatius a few years ago and he bought himself a wheat grinder – hand cranked! – and he set about his excercise for the day. HA!

I needed 8 cups of flour and it took just about the whole 1 pound bag. He would pour some of the wheat berries into the top and then turn, turn, turn until he had flour. From what he told me, he could choose between three different grinds. I told him I wanted it as fine as he could get it. It felt just like the flour I have on the shelf so I would say he did a good job. It took him about half an hour to grind me the 8 cups of flour. Needless to say the man is considering an electric grinder at this point.

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Whole Wheat Bread Recipe

Makes three loaves

Sponge:
3/4 cup warm water
3 packages active dry yeast (2 heaping tablespoons)
2 1/4 cups buttermilk (if you don’t have buttermilk mix equal amounts of sour cream and milk)
4 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

Dough:
6 TBS honey
3 TBS butter or shortening
3 – 4 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tbs salt
water or melted butter for brushing the top

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Add the warm water and yeast to the bowl of a stand mixer. Let stand for about 5 minutes until the yeast softens.
Add the buttermilk or sour cream/milk mixture and the flour and stir.
Cover and let rise in a warm place, free from draft for about 45 minutes until doubled.
Place the bowl in the mixer stand an add the paddle.
Add the honey, butter, one cup of flour and salt.
Stir down and add the remaining flour, one cup at a time until you have a smooth dough.
Knead on the first speed for 8 – 10 minutes.
Grease three bread pans.
After the dough has finished kneading, remove it from the bowl and cut it into three pieces.
Shape into a rectangle and roll up to fit the bread pan being sure to seal the edges
Place in the pans, cover and let rise in a warm place, free from draft for one hour.
Preheat oven to 375°.

Before baking brush the loaves with water or melted butter.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes until nicely browned.
Cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes, removed from pans and cool thoroughly before cutting

How Was the Whole Wheat Bread Recipe?

As soon as it had cooled enough the hubby had a piece with butter. He loved it. It does have a beautiful crumb. As I noted I am not a huge fan of whole wheat bread but the point of my making this was not to make me happy. The hubby is and that is what counts.

Why all of this talk of wheat bread and Demeter? It’s time for another giveaway here on the blog and the prize is a beautiful handmade pendent representing this very special goddess.

It’s the Feline Good Giveaway Hop

I truly gave thought to having a cat themed prize but I found something more universal. The super talented Laura from Little House Big Alaska is more than a great baker and the mastermind of the Great British Bakeoff Bakealong Group. The group is a great place for bakers – so much support and help if you have any questions. There is no pressure to participate in the challenges but lots of fun if you do.

She and her husband also own the Palmer Folk School and in one of the classes there she made a beautiful pewter pendant celebrating the goddess Demeter.

So, the lucky US winner will get to enjoy this celebration of the harvest. It will be sent directly from Alaska and does not come with a chain. It’s so you can choose your favorite way to showcase this beautiful piece. I want to get one for myself to use as a Christmas ornament. I think it would look beautiful hanging on the tree.

If you would like to order a Demeter Pendant you can do so HERE

Just enter as many ways as you would like on the Gleam widget below. Full rules are on the widget. Good luck everyone! After you are done entering here be sure to hop to all of the other great giveaways.

Feline Good

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