Basic Bread Recipe

Made with freshly ground wheat berries, this recipe will give your bread a rich and nutty flavor. With simple ingredients like hot water, oil, sweetener, salt, egg, lecithin (optional), fresh ground flaxseed, and yeast, you'll have two mouthwatering loaves of bread in no time.

Ingredients:

- 4 cups freshly ground wheat berries (which yields approximately 6 cups flour)

- 1 1/2 cups hot water (100 degrees)

- 1/3 cup oil (butter, olive oil or coconut oil)

- 1/3 cup honey

- 2 tsp salt

- 1 egg

- 2 tbsp lecithin (optional)

- 1/3 cup fresh ground flaxseed

- 1 tbsp yeast

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease two, 8” loaf pans.

2. Begin by grinding 4 cups of wheat berries to equal approximately 6 cups of flour. Set aside.

3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, oil, sweetener, salt, and egg. Mix well to ensure all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.

4. If using lecithin, add it to the bowl and give it a quick stir.

5. Add 2 cups of the freshly ground flour and the fresh ground flaxseed to the bowl. Blend thoroughly to create a smooth mixture.

6. Sprinkle the yeast over the mixture and gently mix it in.

7. Gradually add more flour, about 1/2 cup at a time, while mixing the dough. Continue adding flour until the dough starts to form a soft dough ball. You'll likely need approximately 4 1/2 cups of flour in total, but adjust as needed.

8. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead it for about 5-6 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic.

9. Place the kneaded dough back into the mixing bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise until doubled in size. This usually takes about 20 minutes.

10. Once the dough has doubled in size, divide it into two portions and shape each portion into a loaf. Place the loaves into the greased loaf pans.

11. Place the pans in a warm oven (can use oven light for warmth) and allow the dough to proof for another 25 minutes, or until doubled in size.

12. While pans are still in the oven, preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake the loaves for 25 -30 minutes, or until they turn golden brown. Half way through bake time, you can place foil over the top to keep it from browning too fast.

This basic bread recipe is nothing short of delicious and will fill your home with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked bread. Enjoy!