FLOWER POT LOAVESPotato and Rosemary Loaf

Not long ago I was visiting a very old friend to celebrate her birthday and the chat moved along to baking, as it inevitably does. When her daughter told me about baking bread in Flower Pots! Terracotta that is, NOT plastic. Rachel had been on a bread making course and brought this idea back with her, then shared it with me - and now you. I immediately went out and bought one.

This size pot [5” in diameter at the base, 7” across the top, with a depth of just over 4”] exactly fits the quantity below. It costs about £1.50

The pot needs to be tempered or else it will crack or break. Pre heat your oven to about 220C. Wash it thoroughly, then oil the pot and “bake it” for about 15 mins. Allow to cool completely. Repeat the oiling and baking twice more. It will take about an hour. It should now be ready for off.

Rachel also shared this recipe. It is absolutely beautiful and very easy.

4½ oz [125 g] mashed potato [save the water]

125 ml tepid potato water

a level teaspoon yeast

10½ oz  [290g] strong white bread flour

1 level teaspoon sea salt

2 small sprigs fresh rosemary, leaves picked and finely chopped

Boil, then mash your potatoes and leave to cool until tepid, saving 125ml of the water.

In a large bowl, or your mixer bowl, with a dough hook, place:

Flour, salt, rosemary and yeast [keep the salt and yeast apart]. Add the potato and tepid potato water and gradually bring the whole together. Transfer to your work surface or continue mixing. Knead for about 10-15 mins. Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with cling film and put to rise in a warm spot until double in size - about an hour and a half. Or, like me, keep it in your mixing bowl and cover.

Lightly oil your pot [at least for the first few times you use it] and place a small ring of baking parchment over the hole!!!

Tip your dough out onto your work surface and knock back and knead again for about I minute, then place it in your prepared flower pot. Allow to rise again for about an hour.

I decided to sprinkle over some fresh grated parmesan and fresh ground pepper.

Pre heat your fan oven to 220C and bake for 10 mins, turning down the temperature to190C and continue baking for a further 20-25 mins.

How great does this look? Tastes very good too, so incredibly light. Thanks Rachel and Charlie.