Health Nut Bread

Loaded with healthy ingredients, this bread boasts wonderful flavor. A dense, coarse, heavy, high-fiber bread—you may like it better than some of the breads you had to give up. PREPARATION TIME: 20 minutes. RISING AND BAKING TIME: about 60 minutes. SERVING SIZE: 1 ounce (28 grams). AMOUNT PER SERVING: 3.3 grams of carb, 9.2 grams of protein. TOTAL YIELD: about 27.0 ounces. 11⁄3 cups cold water 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1⁄2 stick) or coconut oil 1⁄2 teaspoon Stevia Plus (or equivalent) 3 dates, finely chopped (optional) 2 packages active dry yeast (or 4 teaspoons) 13⁄4 cups vital wheat gluten 3⁄4 cup blanched almond meal 1⁄2 cup flaxseed meal 1⁄4 cup flaxseeds 1⁄2 cup toasted sunflower seeds 1⁄2 cup sesame seeds 1⁄2 cup pumpkin seeds, toasted, coarsely chopped salt to taste (about 1⁄2 teaspoon) Add Stevia Plus to the hot water-butter mix and stir. Add the finely chopped dates. Combine all the dry ingredients, including the nuts and the seeds. Transfer the dough to a cutting board or countertop and knead for about 20 seconds, until well mixed. The dough should be fairly soft yet firm enough to shape. Once you have made a batch or two of loaves, you will get a feel for it. If the dough seems too soft—and this is a judgment call—add a tablespoon or two of soy protein powder to it. (Run hot water promptly into the empty mixing bowl for easy cleanup later.) Divide the dough in portions, depending on the size of your baking pans. Shape each loaf to fit the pan. Put a portion of the reserved butter in your palms as you shape the loaves; this will help create a smooth loaf and also give the crust some extra shine. For French bread, make two ropes, each about 11 to 12 inches long (the finished loaves will be about 15 inches in length) and place them in a French bread pan. If you want to make rolls, see Rolls to Go (page 43). Set the bread pans in the prewarmed oven and allow the bread to rise for 30 to 45 minutes. The oven temperature should be between 85ºF and 90ºF; it should feel just mildly warm to the hand. When the loaves have risen sufficiently, don’t remove them from the oven. Just reset the oven temperature to 350ºF and bake the loaves for 25 to 28 minutes or until done. The crust should be light golden brown. Variation: Smooth Health Nut Bread This is for those who like a bread with a smooth texture yet delicious flavor. Follow the directions for Health Nut Bread above, but finely grind the sunflower and pumpkin seeds in a food processor before adding them to the dry mix.