Homemade Farm-to-Table Baked Goods: Rustic Breads and Savory Scones
The kitchens at Crooked Pines Farm are always buzzing with the aromas of fresh-baked breads and scones. As a farm educator, I’m excited to share some of our favorite homemade, farm-to-table baked goods that are perfect for enjoying with your family.
Rustic Breads
When it comes to bread, we believe in keeping things simple and honest. No fancy mixers or complicated techniques – just good, wholesome ingredients and a bit of patience. One of our go-to recipes is a hearty multigrain loaf, which we bake fresh each week using a combination of organic whole wheat, rye, and rolled oats from our fields. The result is a dense, chewy crumb that’s perfect for slicing and topping with our homemade seasonal jams or compound butters.
For a more artisanal approach, we’ve also perfected the art of sourdough. By maintaining our own live sourdough starter, we’re able to create loaves with a beautifully crisp crust and a soft, tangy interior. The key is in the long, slow fermentation process, which allows the natural yeasts to work their magic and develop incredible depth of flavor. We love experimenting with different mix-ins, like sundried tomatoes, kalamata olives, or rosemary, to create unique flavor profiles.
And of course, no farm would be complete without a classic farmhouse loaf. Ours is made with a blend of whole grains and seeds, offering a satisfying texture and nutty taste. It’s the perfect accompaniment to soups, stews, or simply slathered with creamy cultured butter.
Savory Scones
In addition to our bread offerings, we also can’t get enough of our savory scones. These tender, flaky pastries are the perfect canvas for showcasing the bounty of our farm. One of our most popular varieties features local goat cheese, fresh thyme, and cracked black pepper – a true taste of the terroir.
For a seasonal twist, we’ll sometimes fold in roasted butternut squash and sage, or caramelized onions and rosemary. And when we have an abundance of our heirloom tomatoes, we’ll dice them up and incorporate them into a tangy cheddar scone.
The key to achieving the perfect scone texture is in the method. We start by grating frozen butter into the dry ingredients, which helps create those lovely, flaky layers. And to ensure a tender crumb, we’re careful not to overwork the dough. A light, gentle hand is the way to go.
Whether you’re enjoying a slice of our hearty multigrain bread or indulging in a savory scone, you can rest assured that every bite is made with love and the finest, farm-fresh ingredients. We take great pride in sharing the fruits of our labor with our community, and hope that these homemade baked goods bring you the same comfort and joy that they bring us.
Farm-to-Table Ingredients
At Crooked Pines, we’re dedicated to sustainable, organic farming practices that allow us to provide the freshest, most nutrient-dense ingredients possible. Our fields are bursting with an abundance of seasonal vegetables and grains, all of which we incorporate into our baked goods.
For example, our heirloom tomatoes lend a beautiful pop of color and juicy sweetness to our savory scones, while the whole wheat and rye from our latest harvest give our sourdough loaves an incredible depth of flavor. And of course, we can’t forget the fresh herbs – whether it’s the fragrant thyme, rosemary, or sage that we grow right outside our kitchen door.
But it’s not just about what we grow on our own land. We also source many of our ingredients from local, community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs and small-scale producers. This allows us to support our neighbors while ensuring that every element of our baked goods is as wholesome and sustainable as possible.
Rustic Presentation
When it comes to serving our homemade breads and scones, we believe that simple is best. We prefer to let the quality of our ingredients and the care we’ve put into their preparation shine through.
Our loaves are displayed on wooden cutting boards or linen-lined baskets, allowing their hearty, artisanal appearance to speak for itself. For the scones, we arrange them on vintage ceramic platters, sometimes with a sprig of fresh herbs or a dusting of powdered sugar for a touch of whimsy.
The overall ambiance in our farmhouse kitchen is one of warmth and comfort. Soft linen napkins, antique utensils, and flickering candlelight create a cozy, inviting atmosphere where everyone feels welcomed to gather, relax, and savor every bite.
Nutrition and Wellness
At Crooked Pines, we’re not just about making delicious baked goods – we’re also passionate about nourishing our community with wholesome, nutrient-dense foods. That’s why you’ll find that our breads and scones are packed with fiber-rich grains, vitamin-rich produce, and balanced macronutrients.
For example, our multigrain loaf is made with a blend of whole wheat, rye, and rolled oats, providing a wealth of complex carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats. And in our savory scones, the fresh herbs and seasonal vegetables lend an abundance of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
But we also believe that wholesome eating should be a pleasure, not a chore. That’s why we use minimal processed sugars in our baked goods, opting instead for more natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey. And we’re always experimenting with ways to reduce the refined flours and oils that are typically found in traditional baked goods.
Whether you’re enjoying a slice of our hearty sourdough or indulging in a savory scone, you can feel good knowing that you’re nourishing your body with the best that our farm has to offer. It’s our mission to provide our community with food that not only tastes amazing, but also supports their overall health and well-being.
So the next time you’re in the mood for some comforting, farm-fresh baked goods, be sure to stop by Crooked Pines Farm. We’ll be here, whisk in hand, ready to share the fruits of our labor with you and your family.
