Success!

[AuraShadows]

Operation Wholemeal Bread has been a success! It tastes good eventhough it hasnt risen as much as the white loaf I made so maybe I need more yeast. Apart from that its gone well

[Activity2004 Visitor]

It looks good! What does Wholemeal taste like? Is it like rye?

[AuraShadows in reply to Activity2004]

It has a more nutty/grainny texture and its denser than white bread. I find it more filling and less sweet than white bread too ive never tried rye bread though so im not sure if its like it.

[AuraShadows]

Just read this article about fibre. Apparently it reduces the absorption of calories! Ill have to start getting wholemeal pasta too!

naturallysavvy.com/eat/fibe...

[Activity2004 Visitor in reply to AuraShadows]

Is it gluten free?

[AuraShadows in reply to Activity2004]

No, but I dont know if you can get gluten free wholemeal flour? Im wanting go experiment with gluten free bread at some point as my dad finds bread seems to trigger his ibs so I will do some google searching!

[Activity2004 Visitor in reply to AuraShadows]

I've got a gluten sensitivity and went gluten free now for almost 4 years. Can't eat something with wheat in it. Severe cramps and can't move when that happens.

[AuraShadows in reply to Activity2004]

Sounds awful! at least you know the cause and can avoid it though!

[Activity2004 Visitor in reply to AuraShadows]

You're right about that one!

[albinohedgehog in reply to Activity2004]

You can get 'Hale and hearty' wholemeal gluten free bread mix from Tescos for £3. I just bought some but havent made it up yet. I think you just add water and bake in a tin. X

[Activity2004 Visitor in reply to albinohedgehog]

Is it in the USA? How much would it cost if it is?

[albinohedgehog in reply to Activity2004]

Hmm not sure sorry, but the US seems to have all sorts of healthfood products that UK doesnt have, so i imagine any big supermarket or whole foods store would have something similar. ☺

[Activity2004 Visitor in reply to albinohedgehog]

Thanks! Will check.

[Penel in reply to AuraShadows]

Gluten free bread is a bit tricky to get right, it's never going to be like ordinary bread when it comes to taste or slicing. You could try making some rolls to test out any recipe you find.

withoutgluten.co.uk

Gluten free pitta breads can be a reasonable option if you want a 'sandwich'. I tend to make pancakes if I want a gluten free 'bready' option.

[MW50]

I use 400g wholemeal & 75g strong white in my breadmaker, this rises whereas 100% wholemeal tastes better but doesn't rise, even with extra yeast.

[AuraShadows in reply to MW50]

The recipe i used said 500g wholemeal flour and 100g strong white flour. Maybe I have to much wholemeal flour then? That was for a 1kg loaf. Hmmm.

[Itsbab]

I think you have helped me make up my mind to buy a bread maker as I have been dithering about one for a while.

That bread looks delicious and healthy. 👍😊

[AuraShadows in reply to Itsbab]

Thanks! Homemade bread defo tastes better. Apparently costs something silly like 10p a loaf too! Its really easy as well because you just shove ingredients in and then leave it be for around 3 hours! Even on my one which is about 15 years old you can set a timer so you put the ingredients in and then it switches it self on so the breads made for the time you put, so im sure these fancy new ones do the same! You could wake up to fresh bread in the morning!

My nan has one and hasnt bought a loaf of bread in like 20 years! She adds vitamin c tablets to make it last longer but she has tried slicing and freezing the bread once its cooked and then getting it out when needed.

[Itsbab in reply to AuraShadows]

I am going to take a look and buy a small one I think as too much fresh bread and I would pile the weight back on but I like the idea of basic wholesome ingredients in it and no additives but I would never have thought of adding a vitamin c tablet.

[AuraShadows in reply to Itsbab]

Might have to start rationing the bread I make! Other downside is I cant seem to slice is quite so thin and straight more like wonky wedges of bread! XD

[Itsbab in reply to AuraShadows]

It's strange but when I slice with a normal knife I usually end up with a doorstop wedge but if I use the electric knife I don't.

Does the bread freeze well when you slice it up first then?

[AuraShadows in reply to Itsbab]

Didnt think of using an eletric knife! Not sure about freezing as I havent personally done it but my nan said it was ok. Lasts around 3 days anyway so is normally eaten by then!

[Itsbab in reply to AuraShadows]

Ok thanks for that will treat myself tomorrow to one and let you know how I get on. Keep posting any other healthy bread recipes you find especially if there's any with pumpkin seeds etc

[Ottomummy Healthy BMI]

Don't expect it to rise like a white loaf, it won't - but it'll taste yummy.

[radioactiveblue]

Adding gluten would help the bread to rise more. Either by using a bit more white flour or adding some gluten flour. Whole flour is not as strong as white flour (the wheat germ and bran that are removed from white flour reduce the effectiveness of the gluten), so the resulting structure is denser than white bread because it can't trap all the gases released by the yeast and the bread isn't as light.

I like my bread dense so I don't add any gluten or white flour, but I do add a touch more water than the bread maker recipe suggests, which helps to soften the wheat germ and bran. Also, make sure to use the whole wheat setting if you're using a bread maker so you get the extra rising time.

[Itsbab]

Just thought I would let you know after your post I bought a Hairy Bikers Breadmaker and made my first wholemeal loaf last night I was like a kid waiting for Santa to arrive but Wow it came out brill and tastes fantastic no more shop bought bread for me I think. Thanks for posting and helping me make up my mind. 😊 Bev