Rancho La Puerta Whole Wheat Bread |
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Prep Time: 30 Minutes Cook Time: 40 Minutes |
Ready In: 70 Minutes Servings: 6 |
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This is the bread served at The Ranch . It is a healthy, simple, and delicious recipe and was printed in The Rancho La Puerta Cookbook: 175 Bold Vegetarian Recipes from America’s Premier Fitness Spa . At the spa they prepare the bread without salt, but you may want to use it at home. Dough requires 40-60 minutes to rise. Recipe makes 2 loaves, each with 22 spa-sized slices. Ingredients:
1/4 cup honey |
2 tablespoons active dry yeast (2 packages) |
2 tablespoons canola oil |
6 1/2 cups whole wheat flour, plus more as needed |
2 teaspoons salt (optional) |
Directions:
1. In a mixing bowl, combine 3 1/2 cups tepid water, the honey, yeast, and oil. Stir and set aside for 5 or 6 minutes, until mixture bubbles and foams. In the meantime, spray two 8- by 5-inch loaf pans with cooking spray.
2. Add the flour, a cup or so at a time, and the optional salt, mixing with your hands or a wooden spoon until the dough comes together and forms a manageable ball. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes, until your hands come clean when lifted from the dough and the dough is smooth and elastic. [To test if the dough is well kneaded, insert a clean thumb into the dough, and count to 5. If your thumb comes out clean, the dough is kneaded properly, and you don’t need to add any more flour.].
3. Preheat oven to 350°F Divide the dough into two equal-sized pieces, and shape into loaves. Place loaves in pans. Cover with dish towels, and set aside in a warm, draft-free place for 40 minutes to 1 hour, until doubled in bulk.
4. Bake bread on the center rack of the oven for about 40 minutes, until the crusts are golden brown and the loaves sound hollow when thumped on the bottom. Cool completely on wire racks before slicing.
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