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Whole Wheat French Loaf

Contributed by: Melinda

This is a very easy and relatively quick french style loaf. I use a bread maker using the dough setting, then form the loaf, do final 30 minute rise and bake in my oven. You could bake it entirely in a bread maker, or follow any recipe for hand made french loaf, substituting the ingredients listed here.

What you need

  1. 2 cups white whole wheat flour
  2. 1/2 cup dark rye flour - or - substitute almond meal/flour
  3. 1 1/2 teaspoons rapid or bread machine yeast
  4. 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons water
  5. 1 tsp kosher salt
  6. 1 1/2 tablespoons agave syrup or 2 tbl sugar
  7. 1 1/2 teaspoons apple cider or white vinegar
  8. 1 tablespoon olive oil
  9. 1 egg whisked with 1 tablespoon water
  10. Assorted seeds; I use black sesame, celery seed (very tiny amount), flax and chopped sunflower seeds

How to make it

  1. Add water, vinegar and olive oil to bread pan
  2. Add salt and agave or other sweetener
  3. Add whole wheat flour, then rye flour
  4. Top with yeast
  5. Set to dough setting and run
  6. Just before dough is finished, prepare a baking sheet lined with foil and brushed with olive oil - dust with cornmeal
  7. Preheat oven to 375º
  8. Mix seeds
  9. When dough is finished, pour out onto a floured board and gently form into an oblong or rectangle
  10. Beginning on the short side, roll snugly, but not pressing, into a long loaf
  11. Pinch edges all along the loaf, and place seam side down on prepared baking sheet
  12. Using a very sharp knife or clean razor blade make several cuts in the top diagonally from one side to the other
  13. Cover with a cloth and set in a warm place for 30 minutes
  14. Remove cloth and very gently brush with egg/water mixture
  15. Sprinkle liberally with seed mixture and bake for 25-35 minutes, until browned and hollow sounding when tapped
  16. Cool before slicing

Delicious with butter to accompany soup. Makes excellent grilled bread or toast as well.

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