Oat, Honey and Wholemeal - BC20 style.

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My daughter and I were out walking today in Coed y Fron Wyllt, an area of forestry just by our house in Wales. 

We were discussing, predictably, bread! In fact, we were discussing how you could bake a loaf that would provide toddlers with, more or less, their daily intake of vitamins and minerals 

It would have to be a soft loaf, tasty and yet versatile enough to be suitable for sandwiches, toast and for nibbling 'on the go'. 

Well, we did it. A wholemeal and oat loaf that contains a balance of vital vitamins and minerals. The only addition is Vitamin K - provided by a tablespoon of crushed cashew nuts. 

So, let's move on. 

This is one of a series of bakes that I've called...

It's a simple idea. If you're an inexperienced baker, then here's a recipe for you for the first time you bake a wholesome, soft and tasty loaf. Then, bake it again, and again...

After that, adopt the formula, adapt the ingredients and the processes and improve the end product. That's the challenge!

That's what being a good home baker is all about. 

This is based on my BC20 Monastery Loaf. 

FORMULA

250 gms wholemeal flour

125 gms strong white bread flour

125 gms porridge oats (or oatmeal)

1½ teaspoon crushed sea salt

1 tablespoon crushed cashew nuts

1 teaspoon honey

25 gms unsalted butter

1 teaspoon rapid-action yeast

350 gms tepid filtered water. 

¼ teaspoon of Vitamin C powder (optional)

And to glaze? 

A milk wash and a sprinkle of the seeds of your choice. 

A note about the ingredients

FLOUR - you can enrich this even further by the use of rye or spelt flour in combination. However, I would retain the strong white to lighten the dough. Check whether flour in your region is fortified before sale)

Avoid iodised salt and tap water in heavily chlorinated or hard water areas. 

I really don't believe that there are any good substitutes for the best butter and boney in this formula...but, I'm ready to be proved wrong. 

Vitamin K  is found in abundance in green vegetables....and, fortunately, in pine nuts and cashews 

Additional seeds would be a good idea. Might I suggest the following: chia, linseed, sunflower, pumpkin, sesame and poppy? 

Vitamins and Minerals in the Wholemeal and Oat Loaf - BC20 style 

METHOD

1. Mix the dry ingredients together. 

2. Add the wet ingredients and mix thoroughly. 

3. Knead until you have a soft and silky dough. 

4. Place the dough in a lightly-oiled bowl, cover and place it somewhere warm until it has doubled in size. 

5. Tip out onto a floured board. Knock back and shape as desired. Place in tins / on a baking sheet, etc. 

6. Cover and return to a warm place until doubled. 

7. Preheat the oven to 190⁰C.

8. Glaze if desired and slash to allow expansion during baking. 

9. Bake for 30 minutes until golden and hollow when tapped on the underneath. 

10. Cool on a rack. 

First trial

Second Trial 

Third and final trial - I like the knobbly look and taste

Crumb 

Happy baking...