Spelt: Cakes, cookies, breads & meals from the good grain

Description

Spelt is becoming the go-to grain due to its nutritional benefits. The Romans called spelt their 'Marching Grain' because of its high energy content. It is generally higher in protein, easier to digest and has a much broader spectrum of nutrients than our modern inbred wheat. What's more, it contains plant lignans, which are thought to help prevent various diseases and ailments, including bowel cancer, heart disease and asthma. Once widely grown in Europe, and used in the Bronze Age, spelt is a versatile grain, as well as being super-healthy. Flick through the book and you'll find delicious recipes for pearled spelt, which is perfect for Beetroot, Goat's Cheese, Hazelnut and Dill Salad, for example, or Moroccan-spiced Lamb 'Speltotto'. Try delicious, light breads with a sweet and nutty flavour, upside-down Summer Raspberry Cake and Spelt Cookies that will turn out like a dream, or even a fantastic Farmhouse Granola with low GI/slow release carbs. Spelt is a bundle of good things in one simple grain - and here you'll find a variety of mouth-watering ways to enjoy it.

Roger Saul, the founder of British designer label Mulberry, owns Sharpham Park, an organic farm in Somerset. The estate produces a wide range of spelt products and these are sold throughout England and Wales and through supermarkets, including Sainsbury's and Asda. They have just launched the website greatbritishspeltrecipes.com, in association with Bowel Cancer UK, with support from numerous A-list chefs, including Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Yotam Ottolenghi.