Bob's Bread, Norwich UK
My wife has challenged me to bake a loaf like one that was widely sold in wholefood shops in Norwich UK in the 80s (she's named one particular shop, Renaissance in St Benedict Street). It was (?colloquially?) known as Bob's Bread.
From what I can gather it was a dense wholewheat loaf, possibly malted, without much of a rise to it (hence the alternative name, 'Bob's Bricks').
It did exist, that much I know, and isn't just a false memory of her student days, as we have found a mention of it in a blog post by someone who was also at university at around that time. But we cannot track a baker or recipe for it.
If by any chance anyone out there has any knowledge of this bread and can share any thoughts about how to produce it, you'd make my wife a happy woman!
I wasn't born until half way through the 80s so I can't really chime in with a recipe, but that's a bloody brilliant name for a loaf of bread! :D
sounds like a Rye bread to me .. The sort of breads a UK wholefoods shop in the 80's might well be making...
-Gordon
At last a lead! My wife has tracked down someone who worked in the bakery back in the day, who has sent through this sketch of a recipe:
'First start off fresh yeast with a bit of malt syrup. Second, add water, veg oil, salt, wholemeal flour and sesame seeds, mix for a bit and leave to rise for thirty minutes. After this, divide up into loaf sized bits of dough, knead well and put into greased tins. Rise for at least half an hour and bake in a hot oven.'
I guess it's down to us to experiment until we get something that fits the bill .... all suggestions for workable recipes grateful received!I'm working on one at the moment using
No idea what it's going to be like but we'll see. I suspect the flavour will be in the right zone, but it won't come near my wife's memories of a dense loaf .... I'll post the results.
Feedback on the sourdough loaf was very positive, but the consensus seems to be that the original was a yeasted loaf, so I've had a go at that too, using
It seems to be quite successful, though I need to adjust the temperature; it was a bit crusty for my liking.
Bob's Bread was simply the best !!! a good effort for sure but it was more compacted than that in the shape of a house brick - it was almost as heavy too !!!
It made the most wonderful toast and the Passing Time used to serve fresh soup in a huge bowl with a slice of Bob's bread for a £1.00.
We were easily pleased !!
If I could buy it now I would !!! x