Recipe: Crunchy Farmhouse Bread (with bread machine variation)

Crunchy Farmhouse Bread
Source: Canadian Living Magazine; Feb, 1999
Makes 1 loaf

This rustic crisscross-topped loaf is hearty and flavorful with a combination of different grains, including millet, a small round and crunchy grain. Look for it in bulk or health food stores.

1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 cup warm water
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
2 tablespoons honey (liquid)
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 egg, beaten
about 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
1/4 cup cornmeal
1/4 cup natural bran
1/4 cup millet or sesame seeds
1 teaspoon salt

In large bowl, dissolve sugar in warm water. Sprinkle in yeast; let stand for 10 minutes or until frothy. Whisk in honey, butter and egg.

With wooden spoon, stir in 2 cups of the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, oats, cornmeal, bran, millet and salt until smooth. Gradually stir in enough of the remaining flour to form slightly sticky dough.

Turn out onto floured surface; knead for 8 to 10 minutes or until smooth and elastic, dusting with as much of the remaining flour as necessary to prevent sticking. Place in greased bowl, turning to grease all over.

Cover with plastic wrap; let rise in warm draft-free place until doubled in bulk, 1-1/2 hours.

Punch down dough; turn out onto lightly floured surface. Knead into round loaf, stretching dough down all around and pinching underneath to shape. Dust top with flour; place on greased baking sheet. Cover with clean towel let rise until doubled in bulk, 45 to 60 minutes.

Using serrated knife, slash shallow grid pattern on top of loaf. Bake in center of 375F oven for 45 minutes or until golden brown and loaf sounds hollow when tapped on bottom. Remove from pan; let cool on rack.

Bread Machine Crunchy Farmhouse Bread:
Choose whole grain setting; let baked loaf cool on rack.