Norma Bannerman

This month, we're delighted to feature Norma Bannerman as our celebrity baker. A native of Alberta, Norma is used to the long, cold Calgary winters. So it should come as no surprise that many of her recipes have one common theme - and that's comfort. After all, there's nothing more comforting than sitting down to a warm, wholesome meal with friends and family. Especially when it's freezing cold outside.

Norma has been involved in the food industry for many years, and her areas of expertise include everything from recipe testing and food seminars to cooking classes, food styling and telephone baking consulting.

Most recently, she's been busy with her home-based food consulting business. So when she's not teaching a cooking class, you can be sure she's either product testing or developing new recipes.

What's more, Norma donates her time to a number of professional and community-based volunteer programs. In fact, she is co-author and editor of the following series cookbooks - developed as part of a fundraising project for underprivileged families in Alberta:

• Comfort Food for Cold Days
• Comfort Food for Families
• Comfort Food for Company
• Comfort Food with a Heritage
• Comfort Food for Sharing, Caring and Giving
• Comfort Food for Congenial Times

Just scroll to the bottom of this page for information about these books. And, if you're looking for a recipe that will warm your body and soul right away, just try out this wonderful recipe for Whole Wheat Buttermilk Bread...

WHOLE WHEAT BUTTERMILK BREAD

3 cups	ROBIN HOOD Best for Bread Whole Wheat Flour	750 mL
1/4 cup	honey or sugar	50 mL
2 tsp	baking soda	10 mL
1 tsp	salt	5 mL
2 cups	buttermilk	500 mL
	rolled oats or oat bran (optional)

PREHEAT oven to 325°F (160°C). Thoroughly grease a 6-cup (1.5L) loaf pan.

COMBINE flour, sugar (if using), baking soda and salt in large bowl. If using honey, whisk into milk.

STIR milk into dry ingredients and mix just until blended. Pack into prepared pan. Smooth top and sprinkle with rolled oats or oat bran, if desired; press in gently with back of spoon.

BAKE for about 55 minutes or until loaf has pulled from sides of pan and crust is deep golden brown. Loosen sides and turn out on cooling rack.

TIP:
This recipe is delicious on its own. But feel free to vary the recipe by adding your favourite ingredients, whether it's wheat germ, oat bran, ground almonds or raisins.

If you would like information about the Comfort Foods Cookbooks, please contact the publisher by mail, phone or fax at the following:

Hummingbird Wings
Box 63066
2604 Kensington Road N W
Calgary, Alberta T2N 4S5
Phone: (403) 714-8666
Fax: (403) 714-0225

Or you can visit their website.