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Yeast mixture:
1 cup milk, scalded and then cooled to lukewarm
1/3 cup honey
1 package active dry yeast (1 tablespoon)
1 cup lukewarm water
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
Dough:
2-1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup mixed grains of choice, such as Stone-buhr 4 Grain
Cereal Mates
About 3 cups all-purpose flour
In
large bowl, mix milk and honey. In small bowl, stir
yeast in lukewarm water; let dissolve 3 to 5 minutes,
then add to milk/honey mixture. Add flour and, with
whisk or wooden spoon, whip for 100 strokes. Cover bowl
with towel and let stand 45 to 60 minutes.
To yeast mixture in large bowl, add salt, oil, grains
and 2-1/2 cups of the flour. Mix with wooden spoon,
then fold by hand gradually until dough holds together
and begins to come cleanly off sides of bowl.
Flour
hands and begin kneading dough on lightly floured board
or countertop until dough feels springy (consistency
of an ear lobe). Add more flour a little at a time,
if needed -- and only enough to prevent dough from sticking
to hands. (It's better to be a little on the sticky
side than too dry with too much flour.)
Place in large, clean and oiled bowl. Cover with a towel
and let rise until doubled in size.
Punch
down dough, knead, then return it to bowl. Cover and
let rise again; this time it will double in size more
quickly.
Punch
down dough, knead and divide it into 4 equal portions.
Shape into large buns (mini-loaves), flouring hands
if dough gets too sticky. Place 2 buns each on 2 lightly
greased cookie sheets, allowing 4 inches between buns;
let rise until almost doubled in size.
Bake
35 minutes in a preheated 375-degree oven. Makes 4 crusty
buns, each 8 inches or larger in diameter.
Or
make 3 loaves, each 5 by 9 inches; or 4 loaves, each
3 by 7 inches. If desired, sprinkle some grains on top
of loaves before baking.
Store
in plastic bag as soon as bread cools. Freeze portion
you don't plan to use within 2 days.
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