Bread on Sundays

Caitlan Rangel shares insights (and recipes) on how baking bread can help us craft Sabbath days full of rest and praise.

Because I struggled with disordered eating for years, it’s a wonder and a grace to see how God uses food to bring me closer to him in wholeness and holiness. Preparing and baking bread on Sundays brings me closer to God.

Seasons of life are never static. A season of family life is here with its joys and challenges, and then it’s gone. This can sometimes make it difficult to maintain habits for health and holiness. Because of this reality, I often look at life and ask what we can simplify or what habits we can foster for greater familial health and holiness.

I have found that preparing and baking bread on Sundays lends itself to slowness, time together at home, and a spirit of gratitude—all things that I hope for a Sabbath day.

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Our family loves the craft and taste of sourdough bread, which often requires a longer time for rising and fermentation. So, depending on the recipe I’m making, I will start the dough on Saturday night if we want a Sunday loaf or I’ll start the process on Sunday for a Monday loaf.

This no-knead sourdough bread recipe from King Arthur was my first ever sourdough recipe and I have found it to be the most dependably delicious. This is the dough I’ll start on Saturday for a beautiful artisanal sourdough loaf to bake and enjoy in time for Sunday dinner.

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Sometimes, I haven’t planned ahead (despite my best intentions!), so Sunday is for making dough for sandwich bread for our week (though it usually only lasts two to three days with our family of five eaters). I’ve gone through many sandwich bread recipes, and this sourdough sandwich bread recipe from The Feathered Nester has won my children’s hearts.

Perhaps, you are not a sourdough baker or a yeasted bread baker—I understand! When I was newly married, I stood in awe at friends who baked yeasted bread. I couldn’t imagine bringing dough together, feeling hopeful it would rise, and producing a beautiful loaf that would make my home smell something of heaven. Not to fear—quick breads, including muffins, can still bring warmth to our homes and nourishment to our families that speak of the presence and love of God.

I am convinced that muffins are a perfect food to fuel parents and kids for the adventure of daily life. Depending on the ingredients used, they can be real nutritional powerhouses.

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These healthy pumpkin muffins from Cookie+Kate are just the right amount of sweet for breakfast time. For a little extra protein, I suggest topping one with almond butter. Otherwise, a smear of butter is always a delight.

For a full cookbook of yummy and nutrient-dense sweet and savory muffins, I recommend Rise & Run. No need to be a runner to enjoy these recipes—seeking to fuel our families so we can better love and serve God and each other is plenty of reason to make their grain-free pineapple coconut, yam spice, or everything bagel muffin.

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Click to tweet:
I know baking is work, but I have found that it roots me into the Sabbath day. #catholicmom

I know baking is work, but I have found that it roots me into the Sabbath day. It brings me away from my phone or the television. It captures the attention of my family—they want to help or enjoy a treat with me. I also can’t help but make the connection between the Bread of Life we receive in the Eucharist at Mass and preparing and baking bread for my family. If the prayers of lighted candles and smoke of incense reach heaven, I have a feeling that the scent and service of fresh baked bread does as well.

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