Viking Flatbread

This is a recipe for a yummy flatbread dating back to the age of Vikings, when men were men and the mead was warm to keep the chill of winter away. A great recipe for sharing with family and friends, or passing along to others so they can enjoy the flavor.

For the ancient Vikings, "breaking bread" with someone was a sign of trust and honor, it was also the display of a good host. To break bread with someone, it meant that you trusted them and wished to gain their trust as well. It was a sign of honor because you were willing to share your food with your guests, regardless of who they might be.

Viking Flatbread

3 1/2 Cups of Flour (I use a thick wheat flour, or a blend of rye, barley, and oat flours).
1 1/2 Cups of Buttermilk
1 Egg
pinch of salt
1 TBSP of Clover Honey
1/4 Cup of Chopped Walnuts

1: Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and blend thoroughly. Use either an electric mixer with a dough hook, or use your hands and knead the dough for 5 to 10 minutes. The dough should be moist, thick, and slightly sticky.

2: Cover your hands in flour and form the dough into balls about 2-3 inches in diameter. At this point, the dough can be frozen or cooled in a refrigerator until it is needed.

3: Press each ball flat until it is roughly 1/2 inch thick and bake on a flat pan greased with butter. Cook over a fire pit or on a hot burner. Like pancakes, flip these once to cook on both sides. The bread is done when it is light brown, and sounds hollow when tapped. It shouldn't take more than 2-4 minutes to cook each side of the bread.

Once the bread is done cooking, serve it immediately with honey and butter, or something else to use as a topping. You may have to add more flour or less liquid to get the consistancy correct, but in the end you will have a delicious bread that you can cook quickly for visiting friends and relatives, or anyone else you feel the need to break bread with.

~Bon Appétit~