Terra Americana

Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush bread with melted butter; working in batches, grill, flipping once, until golden on both sides, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Layer 2 apple slices on each toast; set aside.

Arrange an oven rack 4″ from broiler and heat broiler to high. Mix cheese, yogurt, Worcestershire, mustard, honey, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Spread about 1 tbsp. of the cheese mixture over each toast. Broil until topping is melted and golden brown, about 4 minutes.

Simple ideas for busy weeknights:

• Tailgate Club Sandwich
• Southwestern Style Chicken Salad
• Baked French Onion Soup
• Tomato & Turkey Stew with kale and white beans

Photo Credit: Julie Cecchini

This is a recipe I have been playing with over the past couple years.  It started out as a quick bread and ended up as a no kneed masterpiece. It is fabulous aside a beef stew and stupendous with a schemer of blueberry jam.  It's even a hearty mouthful all on it's own.

I use a sprouted spelt flour because the wholesome flavor blends so well with pumpkin and cheese.  Machengo is my go to, but this weekend I am trying it with some mozzarella and future plans include crumbled gorgonzola.   Experiment and find your own favorite recipe.

• 3 cups sprouted spelt flour
• 1 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp yeast
• 1 tbsp Local Honey
• 1 1/3 cup water or whey from making cheese (55-60 f )
• 2 cups roasted pumpkin
  
• 1 cup cheese, your choice, shredded or in chunks
  
• 1 tbsp Herbs de Provence, Fines Herbs, Picante Passion or Beau Monde Seasoning
• 2 tbsp Sesame Seeds or Coarse Sea Salt, optional for topping

Thoroughly combine flour, salt and yeast.  Add the whey or water and 1 tbsp Local Honey.  When mixed the dough will be sticky.  Cover loosely and allow to rise in a warm environment for 12 to 18 hours.

Dust a piece of parchment with flour and remove dough from the bowl.  Stretch the dough and spread 1 tbsp honey over it.  Dust with your choice of spice and sprinkle on cheese and roasted pumpkin.  Roll up dough, then fold it back together, leaving the crease resting on the paper.  Cover with a towel and let rise for 2 hours.  You can either bake it in this form or twist it in to a circle and place in your cast iron pot. 

After 90 minutes of the rising time place your pot or baking stone in an oven that has been preheated to 475 f.  When the dough finishes rising, sprinkle with salt and carefully slide it into the hot pot or onto the stone.  Bake 30 minutes.  Remove from the oven.  Check to see if the internal temperature is 200 f.  If it is and the bread has browned to your liking it is finished.  Should you want a darker crust put it back in the oven uncovered for 15 minutes.

You can make it with traditional all purpose flour instead of the sprouted spelt.  I adapted it from the basic recipe in Jim Lahey's, My Bread.  Honey was added because it helps the spelt to rise better, you do not need it when using traditional wheat flour. 

More for bread lovers:

• Easy Potato Chive Bread

• Matzo in a Wok

• Pita Bread with Spelt Flour

• Irish Soda Bread

Photo Credit: Julie T Cecchini