Dates originate from the Middle East, which is quite fitting as I am writing this whilst in Israel, on a very short visit. This week has be something of an emotional rollercoaster, as we learnt about the passing of my Great Grandmother, here in Israel. My Great Grandma, who was born in Britain moved to Israel in the 70’s with my Great Grandfather as they had fallen in love with the country and wanted to spend their retirement here. Not many 26 year olds can say that they had a Great Grandma, so I know that I was very very fortunate to have her in my life and knowing the immense impact that she had on it is very comforting.
Great Grandma was always very health conscious, therefore I feel that this week’s bread is quiet fitting to be written about as I am sure she would have enjoyed it. This week’s bread, Date and Walnuts was a request from my friend’s mother (these requests are being taken very seriously). I thought it was a very nice sounding combination (especially after the banana and peanut butter one) and was very excited to try it out.
Again I used my basic bread recipe to form the basis of the bread and made it half white and half brown wheat flour. After allowing the bread to prove for the first time I added the dates and walnuts. I have learnt over the last few weeks to be much more generous with my portions of dried fruit and nuts, as it’s much nicer to have more than less.
The smells were amazing, I found the dates reacted with the yeast, making a nice alcoholic fermented smell. I always make myself a small portion of bread so I can taste it before I serve it to anyone, for quality assurance of course. I was really surprised that even though I enjoyed the smell and I like dates and walnuts, I actually didn’t enjoy the taste of this bread as the cooked dates were not to my taste. However, when I gave it to my friends mum, she was raving about it, and my colleagues loved it as well. One colleagues claimed it was her favourite flavour so far! So there is obviously something wrong with my taste buds!
I will leave you with the pictures and a gorgeous picture of my Great Grandma a few days before her passing.
@TweetMyWheat 