Rosemary Oat Bannock

The grace of a grey bannock is in the baking of it… Scottish Proverb

Oatcakes or Bannocks were traditionally eaten on old-world feast days to mark the changing seasons. And roundabout Feb 1st or 2nd, they were known as “Bannoch of Bride” in honour of St. Bridget or Brìghde. This goddess (and later saint) of Ireland, Scotland & the Isle of Man, returns to the earth on the eve of her feast day, also known as Imbolc, to herald the arrival of spring. And to honour the occasion bonnach (bannocks in Scotland) were baked and left out in the hope she would leave her blessings of fertility, prosperity, and good health in return. 

 

Makes two small Bannock cakes (or eight pieces total)

Ingredients

  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1 cup oat flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled
  • 1/2 cup cream or milk (plus one extra tablespoon for the caudle)
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary (1 tablespoon dried)
  • 1 tsp. of grated orange zest (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons of sugar (and three more tablespoons for sprinkling)
  • 1 egg yolk (for the caudle)

Directions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F. Grease a cast iron skillet or baking sheet.
  • Place the oats, flour, salt, sugar, rosemary and orange zest in a large bowl, mix together with a fork. Cut the cold butter into the flour mixture. Stir in the cream until all the flour is absorbed.
  • Gather the rough dough together and place on a surface lightly dusted with oat flour. Knead until the dough holds its consistency (but don’t overwork).
  • Divide the dough in half and roll out each half into a circle about 1/4 inch thick.
  • In small jar, vigorously mix your egg yolk with a tablespoon of cream. Then brush the mixture over the top of the bannock. Sprinkle with sugar.
  • Cut each circle into 4 wedges and arrange the wedges 1/4 inch apart on the baking sheet.
  • Bake about 20 minutes or until golden and crisping at the edges.

Note: you can also apply a second brushing of caudle and sugar halfway through baking – I did!

Original Source: https://gathervictoria.com/2018/01/15/rosemary-oat-bannock-for-imbolc/