A Relaxing Saturday (and whole wheat bread)

Craig ready to leave for a trip downtown

Craig packed up for a trip to the Farmer's Market and to check out other Zipcar locations.  The nearest Zipcar to our house is on North Campus.  The two cars that are assigned to this location are reserved much of the time. So Craig is looking for the next nearest cars.

While Craig rode around town, I baked a loaf of whole wheat bread and tried a new recipe from the Vitamix binder - an oatmeal apple cake.  I had to made some modifications as I didn't have any apples or the right-sized pan.

I gave the bread dough plenty of time to rise and baked it in a slimmer loaf pan - I think it's called a Tea Loaf pan.  It measures about 3X11 which is almost the same size as a 4X8 loaf.  The kids seem to prefer a "smaller" sandwich for lunch. I used the standard whole wheat bread recipe from the Vitamix binder with the addition of a 1/2 cup of vital wheat gluten and allowing for 2 rising time. 

100% whole wheat bread baked in a tea loaf pan

In a medium bowl, combine :
350 grams (about 1 3/4 cups) of wheat kernels that have been ground to flour or 300 g/2.5 cups wheat flour
1 tablespoon yeast
1 tsp salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
1 1/4 lukewarm water

Mix with a wooden spoon until combined, then knead for 5 minutes or so until smooth and elastic. 

Add a bit of olive oil to the bottom of a clean medium bowl and roll the smooth ball of dough in oil, cover bowl with plastic wrap and leave to rise for 30-45 minutes or so until double and no longer springs back when indented with a finger.

Knead gently for a few turns and place in a greased 4X8 or 3X11 pan, spray with Pam, cover losely with plastic wrap and let rise for another 30-45 minutes until well above rim and no longer springs back when indented.

Bake until golden brown in a 350 degree oven for 35-40 minutes.  Remove from loaf pan onto a rack and allow to cool completely.

Pear Oatmeal Cake

In a Vitamix container, add and following ingredients and process on high for 1.5 minutes
3 large pears, quartered with seeds/stem removed but not peeled
2 egss
1/4 cup honey
1/2 lemon peeled, seeded
1/2 cup dates
1 tsp cinnamon

In a medium sized bowl, add:
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 cups oats
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder

Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and gently stir to combine.  Pour into a 9 inch spring form pan or a 9X9 pan that has been sprayed with Pam. 

In a clean Vitamix container, chop 1/2 cup of walnuts with 2 tablespoons of brown sugar.  Sprinkle nut mixture over cake.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 45-50 minutes.  If baked in a square pan, let cool on a wire rack.  I carefully removed the ring after 10 minutes and after about 30 minutes, I removed the cake from the bottom of the spring form and continued to let cool on the wire rack.

Astrid