Country Grain Bread

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Country Grain Bread

This healthy country grain bread recipe is filled with the goodness of oats, wheat, grains and flax. It is excellent for making hearty sandwiches or paired with soup.

This recipe may be made traditionally as a hearth bread (see tips below), or simply complete the baking process in your bread machine.

1 1/4 cups	water
1/4 cup	skim milk powder
1 1/2 tsp.	salt
3 tbsp.	packed brown sugar
2 tbsp.	shortening
1 cup	whole wheat flour
2 cups	all-purpose (or bread) flour
1/4 cup	cracked wheat
1/4 cup	7-grain cereal (or 9-grain/12-grain)
2 tbsp.	flax seeds, ground
2 tbsp.	oat bran
2 tbsp.	wheat germ
2 tsp.	bread machine yeast

Bread Machine:

Simply measure ingredients into your baking pan in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Use the whole wheat cycle.

Hearth Bread:

Select the dough cycle on your bread machine.

Remove the completed dough to a lightly floured surface, cover and let rest for 10-15 minutes before forming. (Too much flour added at this stage will result in a heavy texture.)

Form the dough into a large oval shape with a high, round top. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet, cover (in a warm, draft-free place) and let rise until doubled in volume (about 30-45 minutes).

With a sharp knife, gently cut 3 diagonal slashes across the top of the risen loaf about 1/2 inch deep.

Extra seeds, oats or cracked wheat may be sprinkled on the top, as desired. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 35-40 minutes. (You know it is baked correctly if the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.)

This recipe makes excellent buns too! Form them into small oval shapes (3 inches long and about 1 inch high). Slash each bun lengthwise down the center about 1/2 inch deep. Bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes.

Healthy Tip:
The flax seeds used in this recipe are a great source of linoleic acid (omega-3). Research shows that omega-3 acids help protect against postmenopausal breast cancer, bone deterioration and heart disease. Please note that flax seeds must be ground in order for our bodies to digest them.

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