Quick and Easy Whole Grain Bread
(Everything is made in one container)


This recipe is so easy my 5th grader can make bread starting from wheat berries and ending in freshly ground, nutritious, hot, home baked, whole wheat bread. Did I mention the soothing aroma?

There is a lot to be said about the therapeutic benefits of getting your hands into warm, yeasty dough and kneading until all your troubles melt away. However, when you have little ones demanding your every moment, it may seem more like Brair Rabbit stuck to Tar baby than therapy.

On those busy days I get all the homemade healthy goodness in short order. Here is what I do:

* Sorry – it requires a Vitamix

Vitamix Whole Wheat Bread

1 ¾ Cups whole wheat berries
(or you can use 2 ¾ cups whole wheat flour)
1 teaspoon salt
1 ¼ Cup water
1 Tablespoon active dry yeast
1 Tablespoon agave (or honey)
1 Tablespoon oil (I sometimes used garlic infused olive oil or coconut oil)
1 Teaspoon lemon juice

Measure 1 ¼ cup water (a glass measuring cup is the best) add 1 Tablespoon yeast and 1 Tablespoon agave (or honey) to the water. Stir and set aside 3-5 minutes. In the mean time you can grind the wheat.

Put the wheat berries and salt into the dry blade container and process on high for 1 ½ minutes (this makes the flour warm so you don’t have to heat the water in order for the yeast to be activated)

After the wheat has been ground there will be a hole in the center of the flour. Pour the water, yeast and agave into the hole.

Add 1 tablespoon oil and 1 teaspoon lemon juice.

Secure the lid and turn machine on high and run for 1 second bursts until all the ingredients are wet.

While the dough rests oil your (8 ½ X 4 ½ inch) pan

To knead the dough: on the high setting quickly turn on and off 5-6 times for 1 second bursts then scrape down the sides of the container with a spatula. Repeat until the dough forms a ball. (Sometimes my dough pretty wet like stiff cake batter – that’s OK)

Pour the dough into the loaf pan using a wet spatula to shape the loaf.

Let rise just to the top of the pan (15-20 minutes)

Bake at 350˚ for 35-40 minutes. Remove to cooling rake. Makes 1 loaf.

Yumm – This cool afternoon as I type this recipe my keyboard is sticky with agave fingers from eating piping hot homemade whole wheat bread with organic butter melting on top with the dripping of agave nectar – mmmm, and so easy.

We use our Vitamix regularly. If you wish to purchase a Vitamix - the best price you will get is at a demo - like when they come to Cosco, Sam's Club or the Fair once a year or so. The dry blade/container is sold separately - (I highly recommend it. You need it to make bread and nut butters).

But if you are ready to purchase your Vitamix soon I can get you FREE SHIPPING! When you call in or order on line if you will tell the operator my code - you will save money.

To order Call: 1-800-848-2649 and give them CODE #: 06-003804

Tip of the day:

Garlic Your Olive Oil

Perpetual Garlic Infused Oil- I have two items on my counter top at all times: my bottle of vanilla extract and my drizzle bottle of garlic infused olive oil. I do it the lazy,… I mean, convenient way. I buy or make dehydrated  garlic and simply insert about 1/4 cup into a clean glass bottle. Do not use fresh garlic because it can cause bacteria to grow in your oil .  You may buy a decorative bottle or simply recycle something like an empty and pretty wine bottle. After your garlic is in the bottle, simply pour in extra virgin olive oil to the top. Seal with a pour cork (you can find them in the grocery store, liquor store, kitchen supply store or even Kirkland's) and within hours you will have garlic infused olive oil. When you get low, simply refill with more olive oil. When you refill simply change the dehydrated garlic and add oil.

I sauté almost all my veggies in garlic infused olive oil or coconut oil. It is great to drizzle in the pan before your omelet; I also use it in making homemade breads and pizza crust.