Simple Whole Wheat Bread

Out of all the bread recipes I have come across, this is our absolute favorite!!  I adapted the recipe from it's original here on allrecipes.com.

Simple Whole Wheat Bread

3 cups warm water (110 degrees F)
4 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast (2 - .25 ounce packages)
1/3 cup honey
2 cups bread flour
3 cups whole wheat flour

1 cup oats
1/4 applesauce
1/3 cup honey
1 tablespoon salt
2 tablespoons wheat germ
5 tablespoons wheat gluten
~ 3 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

~ 1 tablespoon butter, melted

In a large bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and 1/3 cup honey. Add 2 cups white bread flour and 3 cups whole wheat flour, and stir to combine. Let set for 30 minutes, or until big and bubbly.

Mix in applesauce, oats, 1/3 cup honey, gluten, wheat germ and salt. Stir in 2 cups whole wheat flour. Flour a flat surface and knead with whole wheat flour until not real sticky - just pulling away from the counter, but still sticky to touch. This may take an additional 2 to 4 cups of whole wheat flour. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to coat the surface of the dough. Cover with a dishtowel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled.

Punch down, and divide into 3 loaves. Place in greased 9 x 5 inch loaf pans, and allow to rise until dough has topped the pans by one inch. 

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes; do not overbake. Lightly brush the tops of loaves with melted butter or margarine when done to prevent crust from getting hard. Cool completely.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

3 ripe bananas
1 1/4 cup sugar
2/3 cup oil (You can also do 1/3 c. oil and 1/3 c. applesauce, for healthier version)
1/2 cup sour cream
2 eggs

Mash bananas, blend all ingredients until smooth, then add:

2 cups flour
1 1/4 tsp salt
1 cup chopped nuts (I used choc chips instead and usually a little more than a cup)
1 1/4 tsp soda
 1 tsp vanilla

Mix until well blended.

You can either make this recipe in one bread loaf pan, two bread loaf pans, or 24 muffin cups.  Either grease and flour your pans, use muffin cups or use Pam "Baking" Spray.

The cooking time is as follows for each:

Bread loaf pans: 325 degrees, 30-35 minutes or until center is set, check carefully
Muffin tins:  325 degrees, 20-25 minutes or until center is set, check carefully
 
Take out of pans when finished baking and let cool on cooling racks.

Whole Wheat Garlic Naan

Whole-Wheat Garlic Naan

Ingredients:

1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast

1 cup warm water

1 teaspoon white sugar

1/4 cup white sugar

3 tablespoons milk

1 egg, beaten

2 teaspoons salt

2 cups whole-wheat flour

2 1/2 cups bread flour

2 teaspoons minced garlic

1/4 cup butter, melted

Directions:

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water and 1 teaspoon sugar. Let stand about 10 minutes, until frothy. Stir in 1/4 cup sugar, milk, egg, salt, and enough flour to make a soft dough. Knead for 6 to 8 minutes on a lightly floured surface, or until smooth. Place dough in a well oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and set aside to rise. Let it rise 1 hour, until the dough has doubled in volume.

 Punch down dough. Pinch off small handfuls of dough about the size of a golf ball. Roll into balls, and place on a tray. Cover with a towel, and allow to rise until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.

Mix melted butter and garlic together and let sit for 5 minutes. 

Preheat George Foreman grill.  Roll one ball of dough out into a thin circle.  Place dough on grill, brush uncooked side with garlic butter.  Cook 2 to 3 minutes or until puffy and lightly browned with top of George Foreman grill up.  Turn over.  Brush cooked side with butter.  Close top of the George foreman grill and cook until browned another 1-2 minutes.  Continue until all dough balls are cooked.