I thought I would take a little break from my trip posts to feature something I have made. The first thing I have baked since my return was, of course, bread. I ran out of my stock of bread for sandwiches! This is a simple machine bread that is foolproof and really quite tasty.
Chewy Grain Machine Bread
1 cup milk
2/3 cup water
2 Tablespoons oil
2 Tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup grains of choice or cereal mix (one single grain such as oats or flax, or a combination will both work)
3 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
2 1/4 teaspoons yeast
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger (optional)
Place all ingredients in bread machine pan in order given, or according to manufacturer's instructions for whole wheat cycle. This makes one large loaf, although size setting will depend on machine.
This is the bread I used to serve my salmon burgers on from yesterday. It is not a typical burger bun, or even a type of bun at all, but that does not matter, especially if you are looking to serve a rustic-style burger. Why did I buy a bread instead? For a few reasons; the grocery store did not have the type of buns I really like, this bread was a good deal, and I really wanted to try this bread.
I like to make as many of my own breads as I can, but sometimes it isn't always possible. When not, I like to turn to specialty, fresh bakery breads, with simple, wholesome ingredients, just like I would make at home. This is a bread made with whole wheat flour, flax, sesame seed, and millet, with a little honey.
To use for burgers, I simply cut some thin slices and toasted it. This bread is so good and crisp toasted. Aside from burgers, this bread is good for breakfast, other sandwiches, and as a small side for meals. It is yummy spread with jam or nut butters, or dipped into a sauce, or with melted cheese, hummus, or a flavored oil dip. The possibilities are endless.
Multigrain Machine Bread
1/4 cup each: ground flaxseed, oat bran, natural wheat bran, and wheat germ
1/2 cup oats
1 cup warm water
1 large egg, beaten, at room temperature
2 Tablespoons oil
2 Tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon salt
grain mixture from above
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons yeast
Mix together the grains and oats, set aside. Place all ingredients except in bread machine pan in order given, or according to manufacturer's instructions for whole wheat cycle. This makes one large loaf, although size setting will depend on machine.
This is a bread machine recipe I came up with myself that truly combines all my favorite hearty grains. Some may find this bread a little bit heavier or dense, but it is certainly a nutritional powerhouse, and is meant to be sliced quite thinly. To ensure the bread rises better, as multigrain breads do tend to contain less gluten, a tablespoons or two of wheat gluten may be added along with the flour.
This is another individual breakfast I came up with. It makes one large, moist pancake with plenty of apple flavor and the goodness of many grains. In addition, it is quite quick to whip up so you have a hot breakfast in minutes!
Apple Whole Grain Pancake
1/4 cup whole grain flour or cereal mix (or dry multigrain oatmeal mix - I use this: Hot Cereal Mix)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup applesauce
1-2 Tablespoons milk of choice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Heat a little oil in a small frying pan over medium heat. Mix all batter ingredients together and pour into pan to form one large pancake. Cook for a few minutes per side until golden.
Serving Suggestions: all-natural peanut butter, caramel sauce and chopped apple, apple slices and maple syrup, yogurt and berries, honey and cinnamon.
This is a tasty twist on cinnamon raisin bread. It is definitely healthier as it is 100% whole grain. This does make the bread a bit heavier, but that way it is satisfying. This isn't a sweet, snack-like raisin bread, but more of a hearty sandwich bread enriched with some raisins.
Multigrain Raisin Bread
1 1/4 cup water
3 Tablespoons honey
2 Tablespoons oil or softened butter
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup multigrain mix (I use this:{Hot Cereal Mix})
2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon yeast
3/4 cup raisins
Place all ingredients except raisins in bread machine pan in order given, or according to manufacturer's instructions for whole wheat cycle. Add the raisins when the mix in signal chimes. This makes one large loaf, although size setting will depend on machine.
Oatmeal Quick Bread
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
1 cup mixed whole grains (bran, wheat germ, oat bran, flax, etc.)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1-2 Tablespoons sugar, honey, or molasses
2 cups buttermilk
2 teaspoons baking soda
3 large eggs, beaten
Preheat oven to 350◦F. Grease or line a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
In a large bowl, mix together the oats, flour, grains, baking powder, and sugar, if using. In a separate bowl, mix the milk and soda, wait until it foams up (be sure to use a larger bowl). Beat in the eggs and honey or molasses, if using. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly in prepared pan. Bake for about 50 minutes.
This is a really quick bread! No kneading or rising times, it goes together in 10 minutes and finished baking within the hour. It has a nice taste and texture, and makes a nice high loaf.
