Anyone who knows me well knows about my ongoing obsession with using whole ingredients when I'm cooking or baking, especially flax seed. I found this recipe online a few months ago and have tried baking this bread regularly every couple of weeks or so. It has been delicious from the beginning, but now... perfection. After several attempts using different measurements and ingredients I have come up with what I believe is FANTASTIC, healthy, homemade bread. But here is the absolute best part - it's super easy. I don't have a bread machine so I do this by hand. (I know that sounds intimidating relative to time management, but trust me, it doesn't take long at all). Here it is:
Ingredients:
1 3/8 c. hot water
1/6 c. olive oil (I use Smart Balance oil sometimes)
2/3 c. milled flax seed
1/6 c. honey
1 tbsp. molasses
1/2 tbsp. sea salt
about 3 c. whole wheat flour
1 tbsp. active yeast
1. Mix together water, oil, flax seed, honey, molasses and salt.
2. Add 1 c. flour and the yeast. Mix.
3. Add the other 2 c. of flour a little at a time while mixing until the consistency becomes even. There should be just enough flour to keep the dough from sticking to the bowl. The less flour you can get away with using the better. I usually don't need more than a total of 3 cups. Try not to overmix it.
4. Leave the dough in the bowl and cover with a dish towel or cloth. Let it rise for about 45 minutes. It should almost double in size.
5. Grease a loaf pan with cooking spray. (I like to use a stoneware pan. It always comes out perfectly baked all the way through without being too tough on the outside. I also use Smart Balance cooking spray to grease the pan).
6. Knead dough and drop it on to a floured surface. Knead some more. Return dough to bowl. Allow to rise for another 30 - 45 minutes.
7. When dough has doubled in size again, remove it from the bowl and place on a floured surface once more. Knead again and shape into oblong loaf. Place into loaf pan. Let it rise. This part takes a couple hours some time. I have the best luck when I leave the dough in front of a sunny window. It should just about double in size.
8. When the dough looks like it is about ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
9. Bake for 30 - 35 minutes.
10. When bread is done, remove from oven and pan and cool on rack.
You can eat it right away. We love it with a mixture of extra virgin olive oil (or grapeseed oil), a little fresh ground black pepper and grated parmesan cheese. When the bread is completely cool, wrap it in a layer of plastic wrap and a layer of foil. You can leave it out on your counter, and it should stay fresh for a few days.
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