Five Seed Wheat Bread

    

    I am not exactly sure when I first became a customer of Penzey’s, but I think it was in the late 1980’s when an acquaintance requested that a catalog be sent to me.  I have been reading the catalogs like other people read novels and learned a great deal about herbs and spices. This bread is my salute to Penzey’s, my favorite purveyor of herbs and spices. It is also one of Billy’s new favorite breads.  April 9, 2005

Yield: 1 loaf                                                                                      

• 2¼ teaspoon dry yeast (1 package)
• 1 cup warm (110°-115°) water
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 cups bread flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 tablespoon bread dough intensifier, optional (recipe)
• 1 tablespoon each anise, caraway, dill, fennel, and white or black sesame seed
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½-1 tablespoon freshly ground black tellicherry pepper
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin.olive oil

1.  Proof yeast in water with sugar for 10 minutes.

2.  In food processor, place flours, bread dough intensifier (optional), seeds, salt and pepper. Pulse until combined.

3.  Mix oil into yeast and with processor running, add yeast mixture. Process until dough comes together in a ball, adding more flour, if dough is sticky, a tablespoon at a time.

4.  Remove dough from processor and place in a lightly oiled bowl, turning once to coat.

5.  Cover with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm place to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1½ hours.

6.  Punch down dough, shape into a loaf and place in an 8½" x 5" greased pan or on a lightly oiled bake sheet.

7.  Cover with plastic wrap and set aside again in a warm place to rise for 45 minutes. Slash top of  bread  with a bakers’ lame or a very sharp knife.

8.  Bake bread for 23-25 minutes in a 375° pre-heated convection or thermal oven to an internal  temperature of 190°-200°.

9.  Remove bread from pan or bake sheet and let cool on a wire rack before slicing. 

editor's note This was the  first of three of mom's recipes printed in Penzey's Magazine One back  in 2006. Billy from mom's intro was my dad the love of her life. The photo was scanned from the original magazine article.