Farmers market recipe: Locavore beer bread

September 10, 8:25 AMDC Farmers Markets ExaminerRhea Kennedy

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Freshly-baked beer bread. Photo by the author.

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For some, making bread is a regular ritual. For others (well, most of us), baking this staple from scratch simply does not fit into our busy lives. This recipe works for both kinds of bakers--and nonbakers, too. And it’s easy to source the main ingredients locally.

Try making this with whole wheat flour from Moutoux Orchard—now available at three area farmers markets—and beer from a D.C.-area brewery and you’ve got a truly locavore loaf!

Check out the recipe here, some guidance on finding local ingredients following that, and the slide show below. Or skip right to the slide show.

Locavore Beer Bread

Makes 2 loaves

In a large mixing bowl, combine ½ c. water, 1 packet (about 2 ¼ tsp.) active dry yeast, and ¼ c. unbleached bread flour. Allow to sit in a warm place until a yeast-inspired bubbles break on the surface.

To the bubbly sponge, add 1 tsp. salt, 2 c. unbleached bread flour, 2 c. whole wheat flour, 2 Tbs. olive oil, and ¾ c. (half a bottle) beer – use a porter, IPA, or other dark or hoppy beer.

Mix ingredients until they form a firm dough, adding more flour or beer if necessary, and then turn out onto a floured counter or cutting board. Kneed for a few minutes.

Rinse and dry the bowl, then oil the sides. Form the dough into a smooth ball, and place in the bowl. Cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let sit in a warm place to rise. Let rise about one hour, or until doubled in size.

With a sharp knife, slice dough into two equal parts. Form each into a ball and place on lightly oiled cookie sheet or loaf pans. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise another hour.

Preheat oven to 350 F. Bake bread (remember to remove the plastic wrap!) for 45-55 minutes, or until a knock on the bottom of the loaf produces a hollow sound.

Allow the bread to cool on a wire rack or perched on top of the loaf pan for 15 minutes, then slice and enjoy warm with butter.

Making it local

Locally grown and milled whole wheat flour from Moutoux Orchard is available at the Dupont Circle FRESHFARM Market, the Arlington Courthouse Farmers Market, and the Falls Church Farmers Market. The flour is also available at the farm in Loudoun County. (See Moutoux Orchard’s site for locations, days, and times)

Local breweries include the Capital City Brewing Company in D.C., Franklin’s in Hyattsville, Md., and Old Dominion Brewing Company in Ashburn, Va.