I grew up with Grandma Aune’s (pronounced OW-NEE, it is Finnish for Anne) cardamom bread (pulla is the Finnish term for bread). My best friend Kiija and I used to bound into her parents refurbished 18th century plantation home kitchen from playing outside to the smell of this bread. That is, if we didn’t catch Grandma Aune making it herself, then we’d somehow weasel our way into helping her out, tasting everything as we went along!

Last week I called Kiija to get this recipe. Much to my suprise (and chagrin) she told me that she had a life-alterning epiphany. One of the smartest and most talented women I know (fluent in Russian, is a painter/drawer, works in public health immunizing thousands of children in former Soviet satellite countries), she tells me that she has just gotten over a major mental hump and is now free! Free? I ask, From what? Well, she says, I have just come to the conclusion that I am going to allow myself to pursue my passion for creativity and live my life as I’ve always felt it from my heart. Living up to other’s expectations and over achieving in areas that never really made me happy, she says, has taken it’s toll, but these experiences have allowed me to realize this very important aspect of myself and I will not ignore it any more. I am super excited for her and pretty much gave her a standing ovation over the phone! Her first steps towards a more creative life are taking continuing ed classes in letterpress, silkscreen, book making, and who knows…applying for an MFA? Starting a business? You go girl!

I just wanted to share this lovely little story as possible inspiration. I feel like it is a good time to be optimistic about what it is you truly want from life right now. Since change is already upon us in one way or another (spring time, new administration, the stars aligning, you know what I mean why not embrace it for what it is and make it your own? Kiija’s epiphany was a reminder for me in my own life to continue taking chances but build from what I’ve learned in the past. I hope you have a lovely day!

Grandma Aune’s Pulla
This is my adaptation of my Grandmother’s recipe. She never wrote it down, so this is the closest I’ve come to replicating it with my own spin of course -Kiija

Bread
2 c milk
1/2 c brown sugar
1/2 c white sugar
1 Tbs. crushed cardamom seeds
2 pkgs. dry yeast (or 2 Tbs)
6 c unbleached white flour
2-3 c whole wheat flour
2/3 c butter
1 tsp salt
1 egg

Topping
1 egg yolk
1 Tbs water
plus about 1/4 c Turbinado sugar

1. Scald milk with cardamom and 2 Tbs of sugar from 1/2 c of white sugar
2. Cool to lukewarm, and add yeast. let sit for 5 minutes or until doubled
3. In seperate bowl, add remaining white sugar and brown sugar, salt and 1 1/2 c white and 1 1/2c wheat flours
4. combine melted butter cooled to lukewarm, egg and milk/yeast mixture
5. add wet mixture to dry, adding remaining flour as necessary
6. knead for 10 minutes, then allow to rise about 1 1/2 hours or until doubled in greased bowl covered in a damp dish towel.
7. Shape into braids (2-3 depending on size) or rolls*, cover with dish towel and allow to rise 45 mins or until doubled
8. For braids, brush with egg mixture and sprinkle with turbinado sugar
9. bake in 350 degree oven for 15-25 minutes