Bannock (2024)

FAQs

What is a bannock in the art of manliness? ›

A bannock is a small, flat loaf of bread risen by a leavening agent, most often a chemical one, although yeasty bannocks are sometimes baked, as in a sourdough recipe. They are meant to be cooked hearth-side, whether a fireplace or a campfire. They are simple, and in the woods, simple is good.

Despite its controversial origins, Bannock bread symbolizes resilience within Indigenous communities. Creatively blending traditional ingredients with the concept of breadmaking, Indigenous peoples transformed and adapted Bannock, showcasing their resourcefulness in the face of adversity.

The word derives from the Gaelic bannach, meaning morsel, which in turn likely came from the Latin panis, which means bread. Bannock is usually unleavened, oval-shaped and flat. The version that we know today came from Scotland. In its most rudimentary form, it is made of flour, water, and fat or lard.

It is a simple bread, but quick to make and useful for travelling and while in the wilderness. It's a source of carbohydrates, and a fulfilling meal, which was a staple for wilderness explorers, trappers, and prospectors. Camping enthusiasts still make it, old-fashioned style, while traipsing around the wild.

Bannock, a round of mostly flour, baking powder, water and some sort of fat, has been a part of Indigenous peoples' diets since the 18^th century.

Bannock is not to be confused with Australian Damper. Bannock refers to any large round article baked or cooked from grain, whereas damper, is traditionally baked or cooked from wheat flour and water. Bannock was taken to North America and Canada by the Scottish explorers and fur traders.

The word “bannuch” is Gaelic for “morsel” and Selkirk Scottish explorers survived on stone-baked peameal, oatmeal or barleymeal bannuch in the 18th century. The common story is that these explorers shared their recipes with local Indigenous nations and bannock was introduced.

Hungry and desperate, the Bannock, along with the Northern Paiute, revolted in 1878. The short Bannock War ended with the defeat of the Indians. The surviving Bannock were sent back to Fort Hall. About 200 Bannock lived in the United States at the end of the 20th century.

“The Aboriginal staff of life, Bannock, is common to the diet of virtually all North America's first peoples. The European version of bannock originated in Scotland and was made traditionally of oatmeal. The bannock of Aboriginal people was made of corn and nut meal, and flour made from ground plant bulbs.

Definitions of Bannockburn. noun. a battle in which the Scots under Robert the Bruce defeated the English and assured the independence of Scotland. example of: pitched battle.

What is bannock consuming colonialism? ›

It is important to recognize what bannock means to Indigenous people: on the one hand, this food kept Indigenous people from starving in some cases; on the other hand, bannock is food not inherent to our cultures, but of colonial imposition. Bannock was introduced when the colonization of Indigenous people began.

The Bannock have traditionally made pottery, utensils from bighorn sheep horns, and carrying bags from salmon skin. Their petroglyphs date back before European contact, and, after the introduction of glass beads, they transferred their geometric design to beadwork. For water transport, they have made tule reed rafts.

According to Cameron, a bannock was the whole circular quick bread or cake, while a scone was the individual piece cut, like a pie slice, from a bannock. It dawned on me that this old distinction is reflected in the way my Scottish mother-in-law made her cheese scones. From my mother-in-law's recipe collection.

Classic bannock has a smoky, almost nutty flavour blended with a buttery taste, while dessert bannock can have flavours resembling a donut or shortbread. Making bannock is an art that takes years to perfect.

Bannocks can be distinguished from oat cakes because they are baked (cooked) on a girdle (think griddle) whereas oatcakes are toasted before the fire after having been partly baked on a girdle.

Bannock (British and Irish food), a kind of bread, cooked on a stone or griddle served mainly in Scotland but consumed throughout the British Isles. Bannock (Indigenous American food), various types of bread, usually prepared by pan-frying also known as a native delicacy.