The Bread Butler: A new rising vendor at the market

Goat Cheese Crostini with Garlic Greens

Before The Bread Butler opened its doors in 2020, Adreas Mergner would bring bread to his daughter’s school or when she had playdates.

“People were saying it was some of the best bread they have ever eaten,”

Andreas Mergner reminisced.

Mergner opened The Bread Butler during the Covid19 pandemic after he became a stay-at-home dad when his escape room business declined because of the pandemic. Through his love of baking bread, Mergner transitioned his life toward a new business and began delivering baked goods to his customers. In April 2020 is when Mergner officially opened The Bread Butler.

Mergner says The Bread Butler relies on good reviews and word of mouth. “Really, we just want people to try it. We do have samples at the farmer’s market. Come by look at it, smell it,” Mergner said, “That’s really all we try to do at the farmer’s market is get people to try it.”

Their weekly staples include Italian-style loaves, crispy crust semolina flour loaves, and flavorful whole wheat sourdough loaves with poppy and sesame seeds. You can also find banana crumble – a moist banana bread with a coffee cake-like topping, lemon poppy cake, and peach hibiscus muffins.

In addition to these offerings, The Bread Butler brings various items week-to-week, including baguettes, black currant croissants, challah, cheddar jalapeno loaves, ciabatta, and more.

“Market-goers are the ideal customer for us because they care about quality. We use organic flour, we mill our own whole wheat and rye, and we care about what we make. We try to make tasty stuff,” Mergner said.

All of their breads use organic, local flour. And almost all of their breads use a sourdough starter in various amounts, which can be attributed to their flavor.

The Bread Butler attends Wednesday and Saturday markets at High Rock Park. You can also find their bread at Honest Weight in Albany and their store on Central Avenue in Colonie. Flexible delivery options allow customers to pre-order by phone or on their website, thebreadbutler.com. Freshly baked bread can be delivered to your front door once a week for a small delivery fee.

The Saratoga Farmers Market is 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturdays in the food court of the Wilton Mall. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for previews of what’s fresh.

YIELDS: 6-8 servings | PREP & COOK TIME: 25 min

INGREDIENTS:

*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market

• 1 baguette*, sliced into ¼-inch thick slices

• 2 Tbsp olive oil

• 2 cloves minced garlic*

• 2 bunches leafy greens* (kale, dandelion, mustard, or beet)

• 11 oz goat cheese*, room temperature

• 1 Tbsp fresh parsley*

• 1 Tbsp minced chives*

• 1tsp lemon zest (more for garnish)

• ¼ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp pepper

INSTRUCTIONS :

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lay sliced baguette on sheet pan and lightly drizzle with olive oil on both sides. Bake 5-7 minutes or until slices begin to brown around the edges. Remove from oven, flip and bake another 2-3 minutes. Remove crostini from oven and let cool.

2. Heat olive oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add garlic and saute until fragrant and just beginning to brown. Add greens ad season lightly with salt and pepper. Saute until greens wilt and become tender. Remove from heat and let cool.

3. Combine goat cheese, parsley, chives, lemon zest, and salt and pepper in a mixing bowl, mixing until well combined.

4. Spread each crostini with 1 Tbsp of the herbed goat cheese and then top with wilted greens.

5. Garnish with more lemon zest. Enjoy!

Recipe adapted by Jennifer Spaide at Mealthy

by John Reardon for Saratoga TODAY