Dumb bread

Dumb bread

Dumb bread
Type	Bread
Place of origin	Virgin Islands
Serving temperature	Room temperature
Main ingredients	Flour, water, butter, salt, sugar, baking powder, milk, often shredded coconut

Dumb bread is a traditional bread that originates from the Virgin Islands. ^{[1] [2]} The name comes from the cooking technique dum pukht , which originated from India and was brought to the Caribbean when the Indian indentured workers replaced the slaves. ^{[1] [3] [4]}

This bread does not require any yeast. ^[5] Ingredients include flour, water, butter, sugar, baking powder, salt, and milk; oftentimes, shredded coconut is also added to the dough. ^{[1] [6]} Sometimes, cornmeal may be used. ^[7] The same dough can be used to make johnnycakes. ^[8] The bread can be filled with cheddar cheese. ^{[9] [10]} It is served cut into triangles and often along with bush tea or coffee. ^[9]

On Annaberg in Saint John, the docents will sometimes act as bakers and make dumb bread. ^{[3] [5]}

Preparation

The dough is first made with the dry ingredients combined with butter then milk with shredded coconut being optionally added. ^[6] The dough is then kneaded and formed into a round loaf. ^[6] The dough is then allowed to rest. ^[6] It is then cooked in a skillet or dutch oven over hot coals with additional hot coals on top of the skillet lid to cook the bread from above and below. ^{[1] [4] [8]} The bread is cooked until golden brown and sounding hollow when tapped. ^[1] The bread requires a resting period after baking or it will be damp and doughy on the inside. ^[6]

See also

• List of breads

References

1. "Traditional Bread From United States Virgin Islands". TasteAtlas. 2021-08-10. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
2. Morse, K.J. (2022). The Americas: An Encyclopedia of Culture and Society [2 volumes]. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 234. ISBN   979-8-216-04766-7 . Retrieved 2024-04-23.
3. DK Eyewitness (2020). USA National Parks: Lands of Wonder. DK. p. 357. ISBN   978-0-7440-3657-2 . Retrieved 2024-04-23.
4. "A SMART, MODERN-DAY WAY TO MAKE DUMB BREAD". St. Croix Source. 2003-01-12. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
5. Potter, S.H. (2015). Moon U.S. & British Virgin Islands. Moon Handbooks. Avalon Publishing. p. 649. ISBN   978-1-63121-168-3 . Retrieved 2024-04-23.
6. B, Dienia (2014-08-27). "Virgin Islands Dumb Bread Recipe". Recipezazz.com. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
7. Allsopp, R.; Allsopp, J. (2003). Dictionary of Caribbean English Usage. University of the West Indies Press. p. 207. ISBN   978-976-640-145-0 . Retrieved 2024-04-23.
8. McWilliams, M. (2018). Food and Landscape: Proceedings of the 2017 Oxford Symposium on Food and Cookery. Proceedings of the Oxford Symposium on Food and Cookery. Prospect Books. p. 252. ISBN   978-1-909248-62-5 . Retrieved 2024-04-23.
9. Greenberg, H.; Greenberg, D. (2006). The US Virgin Islands Alive!. Alive guides. Hunter. p. 136. ISBN   978-1-58843-584-2 . Retrieved 2024-04-23.
10. Porter, D.; Prince, D. (2006). Caribbean For Dummies. --For dummies (in Spanish). Wiley. p. 472. ISBN   978-0-471-96251-9 . Retrieved 2024-04-23.