Difficulty: Moderate | Serves: 6-8
Discover the unique, tangy flavors of Rewena Bread, a traditional Maori sourdough bread from New Zealand. 🌍✨ Made with a natural potato-based starter (rewena bug), this bread has a distinctively soft texture with a slightly sour taste. Passed down through generations, Rewena Bread is a staple in Maori cuisine, often enjoyed with butter, jam, or alongside hearty stews. Its fermentation process celebrates the art of patience, tradition, and natural ingredients.
Ingredients
🔥 For the Rewena Bug (Starter):
☑ 1 medium potato, peeled and chopped 🥔
☑ 1 cup water 💧
☑ 1 cup flour 🌾
☑ 1 teaspoon🥄 sugar 🍯
🔥 For the Rewena Bread:
☑ 3 cups flour (all-purpose or whole wheat) 🌾
☑ 1 teaspoon🥄 salt 🧂
☑ 1 tablespoon🥄 sugar (optional for slight sweetness) 🍯
☑ 1 ½ cups of the Rewena Bug (fermented starter) 🍞
☑ Warm water as needed 💧
👨🍳 Cooking Steps
🥔 Step 1: Prepare the Rewena Bug (Starter)
1️⃣ Boil the chopped potato in 1 cup of water until soft.
2️⃣ Mash the potato with its cooking water to make a smooth mixture.
3️⃣ Let it cool to lukewarm, then add 1 cup flour and 1 teaspoon sugar.
4️⃣ Mix well, cover loosely with a cloth, and leave in a warm place for 2-3 days until bubbly and fermented.
🍞 Step 2: Make the Dough
1️⃣ In a large bowl, combine 3 cups flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon sugar.
2️⃣ Add 1 ½ cups of the Rewena Bug and mix to form a sticky dough.
3️⃣ Gradually add warm water if needed to achieve the right consistency.
🌿 Step 3: Knead and Rise
1️⃣ Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
2️⃣ Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 4-6 hours, or until doubled in size.
🔥 Step 4: Shape and Bake
1️⃣ Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2️⃣ Punch down the dough and shape it into a round or oval loaf.
3️⃣ Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4️⃣ Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
✨ Step 5: Serve & Enjoy
1️⃣ Let the bread cool slightly before slicing.
2️⃣ Enjoy warm with butter, jam, or alongside soups and stews.
Soft, tangy, and rooted in tradition—Maori Rewena Bread is more than just bread; it’s a taste of New Zealand’s rich cultural heritage. Who’s ready to break bread with history? 🍞🌿
