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Maureen’s Hearty Whole Wheat Raisin Bread


Ingredients:

1/2 cup cooked wheat berries or other favorite cooked unmilled whole grain
1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup honey
1 large egg, beaten
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon chamomile flowers, ground
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 package active dry yeast
2 1/4 cups water
6-7 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup raisins


Instructions:

1.) If uncooked, soak the wheat berries overnight, then cook for 2-3 hours or until tender.

2.) Soak raisins in warm water to plump, then drain, let dry, and coat with a little whole wheat flour to keep them from sticking together.

3.) Heat 2 cups of water until hot, then add to a medium-sized bowl with the old fashioned rolled oats. Let soak for an hour.

4.) Drain and add the wheat berries, oil, honey, and egg to the bowl.

5.) Heat 1/4 cup water to 120-130 degrees Fahrenheit. Dissolve 1 tablespoon of brown sugar in the water. Add yeast and let sit for two minutes to proof.

6.) In a large mixing bowl, put 3 cups of whole wheat flour.

7.) Mix in the salt, chamomile, and spices.

8.) Make a well in the center. Add the yeast mixture, then the wet ingredient mixture. Stir until thoroughly combined.

9.) Mix in the rest of the whole wheat flour gradually, until the dough pulls away from the edges of the bowl.

10.) Knead the dough for about 5-10 minutes, adding flour if necessary.

11.) Put dough into an oiled bowl, turn to coat, then let rise until double. (About 1 1/2 to 2 hours)

12.) Form dough into two loaves and allow to rise again until almost double. To encourage round loaves to rise up rather than out, gently surround them with a 1”-2” tall ring of aluminum foil

13.) Bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 35-40 minutes or until done.

14.) If desired, add an egg wash and top the loaves off with extra oats about 10 minutes before they are done.

15.) Allow the loaves to cool thoroughly on a rack before serving or storing.

If you like a sweeter bread, add some more brown sugar and amp up the spices a little bit, but into the dry ingredients. For more savory loaves, leave out the raisins, add a little more salt, and the herbs and/or vegetables of your choice. Have fun, play around with it, and by all means enjoy!