Basic Whole Wheat Bread From The Whole Foods Diabetic Cookbook Recipes

BASIC WHOLE WHEAT BREAD (FROM THE WHOLE FOODS DIABETIC COOKBOOK)

Steps:

• 1. On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough until it's soft and springy.
• 2. Form into a loaf and place in a lightly oiled 9x5 inch bread pan. Cover the pan with a clean table cloth and let rise until almost double in size.
• 3. For bread machines follow the instructions for adding the wet/dry ingredients and adjust the amounts needed as per your machines instructions. When done turn out onto a wire rack and cool thoroughly before slicing.
• 4. Enjoy!

100% WHOLE WHEAT BREAD, PLAIN AND SIMPLE (NO-KNEAD)

Steps:

• Whisk together the flour, yeast, salt and vital wheat gluten in a 5-quart bowl, or a lidded (not airtight) food container.
• Add the water and mix without kneading, using a spoon. (You might need to use wet hands to get the last bit of flour to incorporate.).
• Cover, not airtight, and allow the dough to rest at room temperature until is rises and collapses (or flattens on top), approximately 2 hours.
• The dough can be used immediately after the initial rise, though it is easier to handle when cold. Refrigerate it in a lidded (not airtight) container and use over the next 10 days.
• On baking day, dust the surface of the refrigerated dough with flour and cut off a 1-pound (grapefruit-sized; 450 grams) piece. Dust the piece with flour and quickly shape it into a ball by stretching the surface of the dough around to the bottom on all four sides, rotating the ball a quarter-turn as you go.
• Allow the loaf to rest, loosely covered with plastic wrap, on a pizza peel prepared with cornmeal or lined with parchment paper for 90 minutes (40 minutes if using fresh, unrefrigerated dough). Alternatively, you can rest the loaf on a silicone mat or greased cookie sheet if you don't have a pizza peel.
• Thirty minutes before baking time, preheat oven to 450F (230C). Place a baking stone on the middle rack. Place an empty metal broiler tray on another rack.
• Just before baking, use a pastry brush to paint the top with water. Sprinkle with your favorite seed mixture. Slash the loaf with 1/4-inch deep parallel cuts using a serrated bread knife.
• Slide the loaf directly onto the hot stone. (Or place the silicone mat or cookie sheet on the stone.) Pour one cup hot tap water into the broiler tray and quickly close the oven door.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes, until richly browned and firm. If you used a mat or cookie sheet, remove it and bake the loaf directly on the stone for the last third of the baking time.
• Allow the bread to cool on a rack before slicing and eating.
• Variation: Honey whole wheat sandwich bread.
• Add 1/2 cup honey and decrease the water by 1/2 cup. Bake a 2-pound (900 g) piece of dough in a loaf pan at 350F (180C) for 50-60 minutes.

BASIC WHOLE WHEAT BREAD

Steps:

• Proof yeast by mixing with 1Tablespoon honey and 1/4 cup warm water in a glass measuring cup.
• Set aside and allow to stand until it bubbles up.
• 5-10 minutes.
• If using instant yeast, skip this step and mix yeast in with dry ingredients.
• In a large mixing bowl blend together water, salt, honey, oil and vitamin C powder.
• Add 3 cups of the flour and the yeast mixture.
• Mix thoroughly.
• Add in as much of the remaining flour as you can stir in.
• Then turn out onto a board and knead for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
• Try not to add too much more than the 6 cups called for in the recipe.
• Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover and let rise until doubled in size.
• About 1-1/2 hours.
• Punch down, divide in half and shape into two loaves.
• Place in oiled pans, cover and let rise until doubled.
• Bake in a 350 degree oven for 35 to 45 minutes until golden brown.
• Turn out of pans and let cool on a rack.
• Enjoy!
• You can also use 1/2 whole wheat flour and 1/2 unbleached flour if you prefer.

100% HONEY WHOLE WHEAT/CRACKED WHEAT BREAD

Steps:

• In the bowl of your electric mixer (I use a KitchenAid ) dissolve yeast in warm water. Add milk, honey, oil, salt and eggs. Mix until blended.
• Add 2 1/2 cups of the flour and beat for 3 to 4 minutes. Cover bowl with plastic wrap or a warm towel and allow sponge to rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 30 minutes.
• Mix in remaining flour reserving 1/2 C for kneading. At this point you may add the softened cracked wheat if desired. This may seem a little stickier than you may be used to but as long as your fingers don't stick in the dough you have the right amount of flour.
• Turn out onto floured board or counter top or use the dough hook from your mixer. Knead for 8 to 10 minutes until elastic and smooth.
• Put in a large buttered bowl and let rise in warm place until doubled in bulk.
• Punch dough down. On lightly floured board or counter top divide into 3 equal portions. Shape into loaves and place in buttered loaf pans approximately 8" X 4".
• Cover and let rise for the third time until doubled in bulk.
• Bake at 375 degrees for 30 - 35 minutes. The bread tests done when the crust make a hollow sound when tapped.
• Remove from pans and brush with melted butter. Cover with a hot damp towel to soften crust if desired.