I had somehow forgotten to post the bagels, and worse yet, I was struggling with the Beer Bread. I set the barley seeds to sprout three times, and apart from a very interesting smell to the cupboard, I was rewarded with mold each time.
I planted a few seeds in the Darling Bride's flower beds, so right up until the point that she weeded them out I had proof of viability.
Anyway, I thought I would substitute pearled barley instead, and add a little malt powder for the flavor. I cut the recipe in half, since I am not sure how much will get eaten this week. I set the pearled barley in a cup of water and microwaved it until it seemed pretty soft.
And as often, when you take short cuts, it was mediocre.
It looks good. It tastes OK.
But I was expecting more, so I will have to take an "F" for this project and try it again.
Well, maybe not an "F".
Maybe 'incomplete' is more like it.
Do-over!!!
You should send me your address ~ they made me buy a full pound of malted barley ~ what will I ever do with it all?!
ReplyDeleteI have a packet of dark roasted malted barley flour which is what I used for this (smells a lot like coffee!) All my attempts to buy viable barley came to nought. But did I pass this on, I forget with my galloping memory loss, one can sprout and malt other grains to get similar effect, so try sprouting wheat or rye and roasting those if the barley is a disaster. As usual I am repeating what I have read elsewhere, not what I have actually done myself... but it might be worth a shot. I'd send you some but it would probably be confiscated as fissile material.
ReplyDeleteSteve,
ReplyDeleteAhh, the seemingly never-ending saga of beer and bread. Quick suggestion, check with your local "home brew" supply store (if you have one), they will have powdered malts at nice prices - it's the same stuff bakers use, but you need to know whether you need diatastic or non-diatastic malt. Usually, bakers are using the diatastic, while brewers use both, but more non- diatastic. Hopefully, your brew store folks will know the difference - mine didn't!
Gosh, I could mail some malt powder... I made a lot more than I needed.
ReplyDeleteoh, I see Abby already offer a much better deal: good, commercially made powder... lucky guy you are! :-)