
I sure didn’t plan on posting another bread recipe so soon but a Reddit follower asked if Five-Star Bread could be prepared with whole wheat flour. So, I made some adjustments and added a lot of Good Stuff like honey, wheat germ (which has Vitamin A and Folic Acid) and 1/3 cup steel cut oats. (Steel cut oats are a whole grain, like wheat, rye and barley, but contain higher levels of protein than other grains – how about that?)
I love nuts so I added 1/2 cup chopped walnuts. Walnuts are actually very good for your health. Among other things, they’re are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, and contain antioxidants that boost heart health and help with stress.
++ I’m pleased to report my Reddit follower is happy with this new, healthier version of Five Star Bread. And, after enjoying some toasted Request Bread with butter and jam, I’m pretty darn pleased with it myself!
Enter the ingredients in the order written and set your bread machine for ‘grain’.
- 1 cup lukewarm water – PLUS an extra 1 Tbs. ++ If dough seems too stiff when the machine is kneading – add another tablespoon. Bread making isn’t an exact science! ; o )
- 1/3 cup lukewarm milk
- 3 Tbs. butter – softened just a bit
- 2 Tbs. honey
- 1/3 cup Steel-Cut Oats
- 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
- 2 cups bread flour
- 2 Tbs. wheat germ ++ There’s a new one out with honey!!
- 1 1/4 tsp. salt
- 2 tsp. rapid rise (bread machine) yeast
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts OR pecans ++ To be added about 15 minutes after bread machine has started to knead the dough.
You make just about the prettiest bread in the world Cecile. I’m no bread expert, but I’ve been trying to get my hands dirty and floury and learning the process. I don’t have a bread machine, so I’ve been doing it with brute force. Can’t wait to try this recipe, thank you!
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Hi Pamela – aren’t you just the sweetest thing EVER – thanks so much! I think I’m on a Bread Kick… you know how those things go.
Just a minute ago I looking up some info. to see if there’s anything big difference when making this bread ‘the good old fashioned way’ – compared to a bread machine.
I think there won’t be any problem – just make sure your water and milk are warm enough. That’s the tricky part… esp. in the beginning – having the liquid (and the butter) not too hot or too cold.
My ‘rule of thumb’ is the liquid should feel warm to your fingers – not hot, not cold and not even ‘lukewarm’. On my ‘exploration’ today I learned it’s recommended to use a thermometer, which sounds like a good idea to me.
I also learned that the liquid should be about 115F BUT now, with the rapid rise yeast, it is recommended that the liquid be about 130F.
And – when using rapid rise yeast, such a bread machine yeast, you only have to let the bread ‘rest’ for 10 minutes, then form it into a loaf (or loaves) and allowed the dough to double in size. I SURE LIKE THAT IDEA!!
I plan to actually prepare this ‘the old fashioned way’ to give people without a bread machine… and there’s TONS of people without one… instructions for making this bread.
In fact, I think I’ll go do that right now…. crap… I’d better wait until tomorrow. There’s other things I have to do… but I’d rather be baking or cooking. You know how that feels!! ; o )
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I can’t wait for that! Thanks for those tips!
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This sounds real good, Cecile, and I applaud your ability to modify the original recipe like you did. You not only changed it but you made it healthier in the process. And now your talking about adding chia seeds, too? I wouldn’t know where to begin. Then again, how would I? We ate Wonder Bread as children. 😀
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Hi My Honey! Oh yes… good old Wonder Bread! My father, who was born in 1906 (which I believed I may have told you before…) ate bread with ‘supper’ – as do the Quebecois! And he was used to good, hearty (probably) homemade bread.
I think Wonder Bread was allowed in the house…. perhaps…… twice. I remember him rolling a bit of Wonder Bread into a solid ball with his fingers and stating, ‘THIS is NOT bread!” To which we replied, ‘But it has 12 vitamins”.. or something like that. (
I remember when the company had to remove the statement that the bread contained ’12 vitamins’ from their advertising. (You know, I think that was the beginning of my understanding that Not All Things Are What They Seem – curses upon you Wonder Bread for your lies!!!
And I’m sure you also enjoyed lots and lots of good, solid Italian bread as well as the fabulous and ever-popular Wonder Bread!! ; o )
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I eat any type of bread but of course I prefer the one loaded with good stuff like this one. I love the addition of oats, honey and wheat germ. I’ve never used a bread machine and neither do I own one. I just love the process of kneading by hand but for large doughs I sometimes use the dough hook. Have a lovely week, ahead.
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I like the convenience of a bread machine but I sooo understand how wonderful it feels to knead dough by hand. Don’t you feel connected to all the woman who had no choice but to bake their own bread for their families to enjoy? I don’t have either a good mixer or a food processor…. so…. no dough hook….. I think I’m having a big of Food Processor Envy!!
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My husband and I prefer a whole grain bread and this one sounds good, Cecile
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Hi Karen! I like both types of bread but I know bread with ‘The Good Stuff’ is much better for you.
I forgot to add some Chia Seeds to this recipe but I very much like the crunch they give – and Chia Seeds are so good for the health. I think the next time I make this bread I’m going to add in not only some Chia Seeds but some other ‘good for you things’ like sunflower seeds.
I’m gonna go visit your site to see how you guys are doing in Florida. (Once again, I’m behind with ‘visiting my friends’.)
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This version sounds really good! Walnuts are good for your brain too. Saving this to my recipe page along with your previous version.
After being lazy all morning I got my tax stuff done for our appointment yesterday while it rained, then drew a little Bewick’s Wren and added a watercolor wash after dinner instead of breaking out my bread machine, and dusting it off.
I’ll have to double check all the ingredients for the 1st version and perhaps make it today. Another storm is on the way.
Have a great day!
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Wow – you had a productive day yesterday after all. And I’m sooo impressed you can draw and paint!!! ; o )
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I did get busy. 🙂 I’m amateur when it comes to drawing and painting. I’ve been learning how to do it most of my life. Only in my 30’s did I finally get beyond stick figures, and now in my 50’s perspective is coming along, but proportions I still struggle with. Maybe in my 60’s perspective and proportions will finally click! 🙂 I’m planning to post my little Wren then you’ll see what I mean. 🙂
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Perfect – looking forward to seeing your wren. And I give you so much credit for continuing to learn and improve!! About the storm – are you talking SNOW?!
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No not snow. We rarely get snow here in the valley here in San Jose. When we have it melts straight-away. We do get snow on the surrounding mountains though. The storm we had yesterday and last night was rain; pouring rain and wind. We need the rain! More rain later today with hopefully less wind. 🙂
I don’t know how you live in the snow and cold winters back east! I think I would die.
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Oh – I hadn’t realized you lived in San Jose. About ‘The Winters”, it seems that both myself and m twin brother HAVE ABSOLUTELY HAD IT WITH WINTER…. It’s not even the snow so much… it’s the short and dark days that I’m just fed up with. I never thought I’d think about wintering in Florida but I really, really am… which is a big shift in my thinking. I don’t need a big condo there… I just need something small where I can go and see the ocean and the palm trees – and greenery!!
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My Mom and Step Father retired in FL several years ago, gosh maybe 5 yrs already! She loves it, and she can maintain the lifestyle she had here there on her retirement income.
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You sure can get ‘a lot of house’ on not a lot of $$!! I’m glad she’s happy there!! I wouldn’t want to live in Florida full-time… I do love New England!!
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I know the short days are awful…dark when you get up and dark when you leave work. I’m so happy the days are getting longer!
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Me too – I have so much more energy!!
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Love the look and texture of this bread. I find that adding the “good things” to most anything, makes it better! 😉 This is a beautiful loaf and I’m sure it is tasty, too!
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Aren’t you sweet!! Thanks for taking the time to comment! ; o )
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How nice of you to alter your recipe like that. The additions so healthy and tasty. Looks wonderful. 🙂
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Thanks so much Ronit!! Once again, I’m soo behind in visiting my fellow blogger friends like you. I plan to rectify that tomorrow!! ; o )
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I know it’s not always easy to keep track of all the wonderful posts around…. 🙂
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I like both of your breads . There is nothing better than warm bread coming out of the oven.
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Thanks Gerlinde!! Once again, I’m behind visiting my fellow blogger friends like you BUT I plan to catch up tomorrow!!!! ; o )
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That’s a shame Shane – looks like you won’t be making this bread – or any bread – any time soon!
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Sounds totally delicious!
I haven’t got a bread maker and I try to keep carbs low in my diet – one look at bread and the weight goes up!
Shane
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