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Fjallagrasabrauð (Icelandic lichen bread): recipe illustration
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Fjallagrasabrauð (Icelandic lichen bread)

An old bread from Iceland's highlands, flavoured with mountain lichen (fjallagrös) gathered from the moorlands. Its taste is earthy and slightly bitter, and it once accompanied shepherds' meals.

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Ingredients

Ingredients

Infusion

Spices & seasoning

On the side

Instructions

  1. Quickly rinse the dried lichen in cold water to remove dust.
  2. Soak it for 30 minutes in boiling water, then drain and finely chop it.
  3. In a bowl, mix both flours, the yeast, the salt and the caraway if using.
  4. Add the chopped lichen, the oil and the lukewarm water, then mix until you have a smooth dough.
  5. Knead for 6 to 8 minutes, until the dough is soft and elastic.
  6. Leave to rise for 1 hour at room temperature, covered, until doubled in size.
  7. Shape into a round loaf, place on a tray and let it rest for 15 minutes.
  8. Bake at 220 °C for 35 minutes, until the crust is golden and the crumb sounds hollow when tapped.

Variations and tips

Milder version. Reduce the lichen to 10 g and replace half the rye flour with wheat flour.

Using what's available here. Icelandic lichen is rare outside Iceland; you can replace it with 2 tbsp toasted rolled oats for a more neutral flavour.

More ideas

Original Ecomely recipe.