Provident Living: Whole, Wheaty, Wonderful!

Last week, I talked about food storage and how to start building it one item at a time. A core staple of food storage is hard wheat because it’s really versatile and stores well long term. But if you don’t know what to do with your wheat, it’s like having cans of rocks stored in your basement!

Years ago, I bought a wheat grinder, and it’s been one of the best investments I ever made. There is nothing as delicious and wholesome (or as comforting) as hot homemade wheat bread—made from flour you’ve freshly ground yourself! I’ve been making my own bread for almost as long as I’ve been scrapbooking—yes, that long!--and it is a favorite treat of my family’s. In fact, they’d probably be perfectly happy having a meal consisting solely of hot bread, a little butter, and a dab of honey. It’s the best!

For preparing the bread, there are a number of great machines out there; I use the Nutrimill for grinding and my bread mixer is a Bosch. They are both terrific. Both machines can be pricey, but if you’re ready to commit to healthy homemade bread, I guarantee they are an investment that will repay itself again and again. I’d also recommend having a hand-grinder mill on hand (no pun intended), just in case you need to grind your wheat without electricity. Quality versions can be purchased for about $50, and they’re great for when you want to grind your own wheat cereal or make a quick, small batch of wheat pancakes.

Here’s a recipe I really like for freshly-ground whole wheat—it really does require a professional mixer, but you’ll be thrilled with the results when you use one. (You can also use white flour and that’s delicious, too.) I found this recipe more than 20 years ago on the container of dough enhancer—this is what the dough enhancer looks like today and it’s definitely a magic ingredient.

Try this recipe and you’ll see it really is as fool-proof as the name promises!

“Foolproof” Whole Wheat Bread

6 cups warm-hot water (Like the temperature of bath water)

10-12 C. whole wheat flour

2/3 C. oil (I use vegetable oil)

2/3 C. honey

2 T. instant yeast

2 T. salt

2 T. dough enhancer

1. Combine water, 6 cups whole wheat flour, oil, honey and yeast in the Bosch mixing bowl.

2. With dough hook, mix on low speed for 2 minutes.

3. Add 2-3 cups flour and dough enhancer.

4. Mix on low speed while slowly sprinkling additional whole wheat flour into the mixing bowl until the sides of the bowl come clean.

5. Continue kneading for 8 minutes.

6. Remove finished dough, shape into 5 loaves, (pull the ends of each loaf and tuck under), and place into bread pans.

7. Let bread rise until double, then bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes until tops are golden brown.

Enjoy!