Monday, March 8, 2010

An Experiment, Part I.

One of my most popular posts to date is my recipe for Granny Bread. And why shouldn't it be, hmm? It's gosh darn delicious! And if you haven't made it yet, DO!

Unless...

UNLESS...

You haven't made it because you don't have a KitchenAid Mixer.

I don't blame you.

Granny Bread is wonderful, but there are two problems with it. The first problem is that you're more or less in a pickle if you don't have a mixer. The second problem is that it takes a good chunk of time to make it. Thankfully, I DO have a mixer, and am therefore NOT in a pickle. But one thing I've been running short on lately is time. And so another thing we've been running short on is BREAD.

So I decided to experiment today.

I decided to try making a no-knead, healthy, fast, and easy sandwich bread. Yes, you read that right. No-knead. No need to knead.

I'm currently in the midst of this experiment, but I've got a feeling. (Woo, hoo.)

I think it's going to be good. Let me show you what I've done so far.

Five cups of white bread flour. You know, for the gluten, people.

Gee.

One cup of whole wheat flour, for the health factor. (Six cups flour total, which will be important to remember later on.) This will make about two loaves.

Two tablespoons of sugar (or one-eighth cup, which is the same thing!)

About 1.5 tablespoons of salt.

Now, just for kicks, I added 2 tablespoons each of whole flax seeds, ground flax seed, wheat germ, and wheat bran. I didn't want to go crazy with the grains yet, but if this works, I just might go crazy in the future.

With the grains, I mean. Brian, be quiet!

Now about 2 tablespoons of yeast. I should have added less. What was wrong with me? If I was THINKING, I would have added about one heaping tablespoon. ONE.

Whisk together well.

Get your hot tap water running...

... and add three cups of hot water.

I added three because I started out with SIX cups of flour. This basic bread recipe calls for half as much water as flour, and I figured the extra grains (flax, germ, bran, etc.) that I'd added would add a little bit more stiffness, so I didn't compensate for them by adding more water.

If that made sense to you, run with it. If not, ignore! You'll be fine, either way.

Stir together well with your favorite sturdy butter knife...

And cover with plastic wrap and a towel.

To be continued...

1 comment:

  1. I don't know if this is in the right spot or not, but OMGosh (that part was for you), nice birthday note for B! Happy Birthday Brian!!!!! Your wife sure loves you!!!

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