Garlic Lughnasadh Nut Bread

Ingredients

5 cloves minced garlic
12oz malted brown flour
5oz strong white flour
1 tsp salt, sugar
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp chopped nuts and sunflower seeds
1 pkt yeast (7g)
300 ml warm water
Sesame or poppy seeds
1 egg, 1/2 tsp salt, and 2 oz milk beaten together lightly

Before you start, bless the flour by holding your palms above it and drawing the pentagram of earth across it. Blessing flour, wheat, and bread in this way is traditional at this time of year.

Mix all of the ingredients together with 300ml of warm water and turn out onto a clean work surface. Knead the dough for at least 10 minutes then form into the shape of a man, and brush on the egg and milk.

Remember to keep the shape simple and thinner than you want the finished bread to be, because it will grow in size whilst cooking. Now cover with cling wrap and allow it to rise in a warm, draft-free area until it doubles in size.

Prior to cooking, re-apply the egg and milk and sprinkle with the sesame or poppy seeds. Cook at 450F in a preheated oven for approximately 30 minutes, or until golden brown.