My love
affair with yeasted bread is extensive and has gone on for decades. The type of
sandwich bread we are making today is an absolute keeper.
The group
choose Whole Wheat Loaves from Baking with Julia, the book we´re baking our way
through for our Tuesdays with Dorie group. A wonderful recipe by contributing
baker Craig Kominiak.
This is as
easy as whole wheat bread can get. Very similar to the one I make all the time, which I´m sad to part with, but this one is better because oil is used instead of butter, and honey
instead of sugar. A bit healthier and practically the same flavor and texture.
Baking bread is such a rewarding experience in my opinion. The radical change of what goes into the oven and what comes out, is enough to make me giddy with anticipation. The aroma that fills the kitchen, and if you´re lucky, the whole house, is reason enough to be caught with your hands in the dough. Literally.
If you
follow the recipe carefully, there´s not much that can go wrong. The only thing
I find that betters the final loaves a bit is that, if you have doubts about
the dough being doubled in volume, let it rise a bit more. Whole wheat bread
doesn´t rise as much in the oven as all white flour bread does. So I make a point of being happy
with how tall the loaves are before baking; they will rise of course, this is
yeasted bread after all, but in a moderate way.
This is the
perfect recipe to make if you want a bread with seeds. I´ve made it with
sesame, poppy, flax and sunflower seeds. Any combination and no more than 3 or
4 Tbs total. Toasted seeded bread makes the best breakfast.
These regular whole wheat loaves are perfect for sandwiches and toast of course. I love to use it for an open sandwich with hummus, roasted red peppers, fresh tomatoes and arugula. One of my favorite lunches.
Our hosts
today are Michele of Veggie Num Nums and Teresa of The Family That BakesTogether. Go check their blogs for this wonderful recipe.
Many people say that it's easy to bake with yeast.. but I am that minority that manages to do something wrong and ruin it.. :D
ReplyDeleteThe secret to yeast is an instant-read thermometer. When you get the temperature right the yeast does what it is suppose to! Blessings, Catherine www.praycookblog.com
DeletePerfect looking bread, Paula! And I love your new blog design.
ReplyDeleteBaking bread is pretty magical (when it works!). I'm just starting to get a feel for it and I loved this loaf too!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bread, Paula.
ReplyDeleteLove the pictures & your site looks great.
What a lovely post, Paula. I enjoyed reading every bit of it.
ReplyDeleteI have a love affair with this bread and I suppose that most of the people that will bake it, will easily fall in love with him, too.
A keeper, this recipe is definitely a keeper.
I love your photos and the addition of grains and seeds gives to this bread an extra healthy touch.
Thanks a lot for having visited me and best regards from Switerland.
I also enjoy baking bread. I will check out this recipe because I do like a good wheat sandwich bread.
ReplyDeleteThis bread really is easy to love. I like your comment about letting the dough rise a little more before putting it into the oven - it makes sense that heavier whole wheat would rise a little less than all purpose or bread flour. Adding seeds to this bread would make it bakery-worthy!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I enjoyed this bread making experience as well!
ReplyDeleteYour bread looks great, glad you liked it!
ReplyDeleteI feel a butter-slathering festival in my future! There is nothing like homemade bread and yours looks fabulous! ~ David
ReplyDeleteI liked this version as well because of the honey. It smelled great out of the oven.
ReplyDeleteYour bread looks great! Thanks for the tip on the rising before the oven.
Seeds would be a great addition. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteVery vintage look! And the loaves and slices look deliciously nubby from the whole grain. I think I want some toast!
ReplyDeleteLovely looking loaves. I agree, this was a great recipe in every way.
ReplyDeletePerfectly risen delicious loaves, love them :D
ReplyDeleteCheers
Choc Chip Uru
You are the queen of bread! ;-) love your new blog design btw
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures!! Yum yum.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I was just looking for a good whole wheat bread recipe. I want to start baking bread at home. It would be great to achieve something like yours!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely adore your pictures! I get in such a hurry to take pictures I forget to use some sunlight ... You are inspiring me! Thank you, Catherine www.praycookblog.com
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to know this works with seeds. I love seeded bread. I agree with you how bread is so magical. Such simple ingredients for such a complex result. Your hummus sandwich sounds great. I made one with cheddar cheese, sliced apple, and whole-grain mustard.
ReplyDeleteSuch a hearty looking bread!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous loaves! I love that pic with the bread on the rustic looking wooden board. Great job!
ReplyDeleteGreat job, Paula. We also love adding seeds to bread. Great photography.
ReplyDeleteI adore homemade wholemeal bread and make variations on the same recipe every week too - your loaves look lovely!
ReplyDeletePaula, perfect looking Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread Loaves - to be honest, I did not expect anything less from you, I knew that your bread would look just picture perfect and it does! Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWasn't this just gorgeous tasting bread? I am now hooked.
ReplyDeletePERFECT, Paula! Not a tunnel in sight ;) And your blog looks fabulous~
ReplyDeleteLove the new look & your bread looks perfect! Great job!
ReplyDeleteFabulous new look, Paula! This bread was so delicious and yours looks absolutely perfect! Beautiful photos!!
ReplyDelete