Recipe: Farmer's Whole Wheat Bread

Whole Wheat Farm Bread--I use this recipe most of the time to make my bread.
by Alana Lee

For 80% Whole Wheat
3-1/2 c. warm water
2 T. yeast
4 c. whole wheat flour
1/4 c. oil
1/2 c. honey
1-1/2 T. salt
1/3 c. gluten flour
1-1/2 c. bread flour
3-1/2 c. whole wheat flour

Directions:

1. In a large bowl combine water and yeast and wheat flour. Let sit five minutes (whole wheat flour absorbs more water.) Add oil, honey, salt, gluten flour and bread flour.
2. Add whole wheat flour. Stir as much as you can and then begin kneading in bowl. Once most of flour is incorporated, transfer dough to counter and knead until fairly smooth. Clean the bowl, spray it with Pam, and return dough to bowl. Turn once to coat dough. Cover and let rise until doubled*.
3. Punch down and divide dough into thirds. Knead each and form into loaves; place in greased bread pans. Let raise until doubled. Bake for 24-27 minutes at 375 degrees. Makes three loaves.

Cook’s Note: I got this 80% recipe from the farmer’s wife from whom we buy our hard red wheat. Can be doubled. Also, if your whole wheat flour is warm from being freshly ground, the water you start with should be cold.

*I like to raise my dough on a heating pad. I place the bowl or pans directly on the heating pad, loosely covered with plastic wrap, on a medium setting.

Variations
For 65% Whole Wheat
3-1/2 c. warm water
2 T. yeast
4 c. whole wheat flour
1/4 c. oil
1/2 c. honey
1-1/2 T. salt
1/3 c. gluten flour
3-1/4 c. bread flour
1-3/4 c. whole wheat flour

For 50% Whole Wheat
3-1/2 c. warm water
2 T. yeast
3 c. whole wheat flour
1/4 c. oil
1/2 c. honey
1-1/2 T. salt
1/3 c. gluten flour
4-1/2 c. bread flour
1-1/2 c. whole wheat flour

*The Farmer's wife usually made 80% whole wheat. She noticed that her son's asthma would worsen if she increased the percentage of whole wheat in her bread. Some people's tolerance for wheat is altered because of medical conditions. I suggest starting with 50% and then working your way up gradually. That's what I had to do after my appendix surgery. I actually had to start with white bread and then work my way up.