Thursday, February 24, 2011

Irish Soda Bread


There are lots of traditions surrounding Irish Soda Bread. Soda Bread was first made in the mid 1800's, when bicarbonate of soda became available as a leavening agent. Our Irish Soda Bread is prepared as a small round loaf with raisins and a deep cut cross in the top.


Many people believe that the cross was cut in the bread to ward off evil or to let the fairies out of the bread. Unfortunately, as much as we love a good myth, the truth is far less interesting. The cross is cut to help with the cooking of the bread by allowing air circulation so that the bread rises better.


In addition to the Irish variety, Soda bread is popular in Serbia, where is is prepared at Christmas time. A coin is often put into the dough during the kneading; other small objects may also be inserted. At the beginning of Christmas dinner, the Ĩesnica is rotated three times counter-clockwise, before being broken among the family members. The person who finds the coin in his piece of the bread will supposedly be exceptionally lucky in the coming year.


Irish Soda Bread is available today and will continue to be available in March. We recommend you call ahead and reserve a loaf or two. We can never seem to make enough of this tasty treat. And once you've toasted it and slathered it with butter, you'll know why!


We hope to see you soon! Your friends at the Great Harvest in Columbia.


Friday, February 18, 2011

Free Coffee Friday!

Hello!
What a perfect day to get up early and get a FREE SMALL COFFEE (Just until 9:00 am) and a scone.! Today's scones are Raspberry Cream Cheese and Almond Chocolate Chip. This is a slight deviation from the menu, but we don't think you'll mind!

We hope to see you soon. Your friends at the Great Harvest in Columbia.

http://greatharvestcolumbia.com

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Baker's Special Day

We hope to enliven your Wednesday with another exciting Baker's Special. Today we have Mediterranean Olive. This bread has a mild savoriness, balanced with the flavor of black olives. It's a great bread for Wednesday Book Clubs! Serve it with one of our dipping oils and your favorite wine.

Remember, our Baker's Specials are made in small batches. Call us to reserve one now.

We hope to see you soon. Your friends at the Great Harvest in Columbia.

http://greatharvestcolumbia.com

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

King Cakes Coming Soon!


King Cakes are coming. The King Cake is believed to have originated in France around the 12th century. These early Europeans celebrated the coming of the three wise men bearing gifts twelve days after Christmas calling it the Feast of the epiphany, Twelfth Night, or King's Day. The main part of the celebration was the baking of a King’s Cake to honor the three Kings. The cakes were made circular to portray the circular route used by the kings to get to the Christ Child, which was taken to confuse King Herod who was trying to follow the wise men so he could kill the Christ Child. In these early King Cakes a bean, pea, or coin was hidden inside the cake. The person who got the hidden piece was declared King for the day or was said to have good luck in the coming year. In Louisiana, Twelfth Night also signifies the beginning of the carnival season which ends with Mardi Gras Day. The bean, pea and the coin have been replaced by a small plastic baby to symbolize the Christ Child. The person who gets the baby is expected to carry on the carnival festivities by hosting the next King Cake party.

We are ready to take your orders now for King Cakes. They will be available in the store on Mardi Gras which is March 8th this year so don't delay!

We hope to see you soon. Your friends at the Great Harvest in Columbia.

http://greatharvestcolumbia.com

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Nothing Says I Love You More...


Than a Heart Shaped Red Velvet Cake.


Come get one now!


We hope to see you soon. Your friends at the Great Harvest in Columbia.


Wednesday, February 9, 2011

It's Baker's Special Day

It's Wednesday and that means Baker's Special Day at Great Harvest. We love Baker's Specials! Today's Baker's Special is Apricot Almond. Apricot Almond is a made with whole grain wheat and WHOLE ALMONDS and APRICOTS. No chopped up little tiny morsels. You get big chunks of high quality fruit and nuts.

Baker's Specials are made in small batches so come in early and get yours.

We hope to see you soon. Your friends at the Great Harvest in Columbia.

http://greatharvestcolumbia.com

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Chocolate Daze

The Chocolate Daze of February are here. We are so excited to celebrate all the delicious chocolate items we offer. From the simplest Dillon Cookie with Oatmeal, Walnuts and Chocolate Chips to our delightful White Chocolate Cherry Swirl Bread, there is something to tantalize every chocolate loving taste bud in Howard County this month. Except, sadly, there will NOT be chocolate covered bacon.

Valentines Treats
We will be offering heart shaped Red Velvet Cake and Chocolate Brownie Bread for your Valentine sweetie, as well as cupcakes. We aren't open on Valentine's Day but if you pick up your goodies on Saturday the 12th, we assure you they will be fresh and delightful on Monday.

King Cakes
So we were a bit calendar challenged. Lent doesn't actually start until March. That's when we'll start baking King Cakes in earnest. Until then, if you want one of these wonders of baking, we'll be happy to whip one up. Just give us a call and place and order.

So many tasty treats in store! Swing by and say hello! We hope to see you soon. Your friends at the Great Harvest in Columbia.

http://greatharvestcolumbia.com