Brick Ovens without Boundaries #2

  As I go into my fourth year of building and baking in brick ovens,  I am seeking to expand the conventional North American conception that brick ovens are for pizza (a bit ironic).

 

Türk Ekmek (1)

This YouTube has captured, in detail, the Turkish use of brick ovens.  Remarkably and sadly, the narrative suggests that if Turkey joins the European Union, wood-fired brick ovens will be prohibited.

With the upsurge of interest in wood-fired brick ovens in the U.S. it really flips the world upside-down to shut down traditional bakeries in European Union member states.

 

 

 

 

Breadmaking in Russia

"This was on the shore of Black Sea near Novorossyisk, Russia. Our guest are baking medium-size round breads in a traditional brick stove.
The embers in the bottom keep the walls at the right temperature with a good inertia. Gorgeous bread made the most traditional way."

 

I try to keep in mind that many ethnic foods and techniques that are brought to the U.S. tend to get 'Americanized'. Traveling to the source country offers a fresh experience of the most ancient traditions.