Recipe

Hearty Harvest Bread

Hearty Harvest Bread

Photo by boulangere

  • Chef

    boulangere's Notes: It's pumpkin season, when I tend to remember how much I like pumpkin seeds. And when I start thinking of something I really like, I start thinking about how I could work it into a bread...

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Makes 2 generous loaves

  1. Pour 7-grain cereal into a stainless steel bowl. Add the hot water, stir, then cover with a plate to retain the heat and let the cereal soften while you scale everything else.

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  2. To the bowl of a mixer fitted with the dough hook, add the bread flour, whole wheat flour, pumpkin seeds, flax seed meal, wheat germ, sesame seeds, salt and instant yeast. Swish the dough hook through the ingredients to disperse the yeast.

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  3. Next, add the 7-grain cereal and all its water, the milk, honey, eggs, and butter.

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  4. Mix with the hook just until all ingredients are well blended. Turn off mixer, cover bowl with plastic, and allow to autolyse for 20 minutes. The autolyse is a rest period which permits all the large particles in the various ingredients to be come fully hydrated. The gluten strands also take up more water and form a windowpane than they would if continuously kneaded.

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  5. After the autolyse, turn on the mixer and let bread knead for a few minutes - say, 3 or 4. It should come together and leave the sides and bottom of the bowl. If it doesn’t, add some flour in small amounts until it does. Stop mixer and test for a windowpane by pulling of a walnut-size piece of dough, and gently stretch it over your fingertips. You want to get the center as thin as possible without it tearing. This tells you if you've adequately developed the gluten, and you bread should for a perfect, beautiful dome when you bake it. If at first it doesn't windowpane, continue kneading in 2-minute increments until it does reach a good, strong windowpane.

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  6. Stop mixer, remove hook, and cover bowl with a piece of plastic. Allow to proof until doubled, an hour to an hour-and-a-half.

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  7. Line a baking sheet with parchment or pan-spray 2 bread pans. Turn dough out onto your work surface. Divide it in half. Shape it as hearth loaves, or to bake in conventional bread pans. Dust the tops of the loaves with bread flour, drape with your piece of plastic, and allow to proof until doubled, about an hour, maybe 45 minutes, depending on how warm your kitchen is. My kitchen faces south, so In the fall and winter, when the sun is lower on the horizon, I have sun all day long. Bread tends to move along more quickly.

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  8. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Just before placing your loaves in the oven, slash them 3 or 4 times with a serrated knife. A note on the bake time. In the Comments, you'll see that lapadia and drbabs experienced shorter bake times. I'm known to refer to my oven as Barbie and Ken's oven, in which I baked this for 50 minutes, rotating loaves halfway through the bake time. Bread is done when it reaches an internal temp of 185. It's a good idea to get a temp on it at 30-35 minutes and add time accordingly. Clearly I need to join the 21st century of ovens.

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  9. Remove it from the oven and immediately turn it out of bread pans if you've used them. Cool on a rack until you can handle the loaves comfortably. At that point, cut a slice and admire your good work.

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63 Comments on Hearty Harvest Bread

Img_2764 Reply

So glad that a tempest has brought views to a good bread.

Wedding_pictures_162 Reply

Ah, the glug has been defined. Let's hope that #glugate will come to an end.

Scan0004 Reply

Suddenly, with your detailed instructions (and some new yeast), I can bake again! You get all my thumbs up and mouth full on this delicious and beautiful bread. Mine have a sprinkle of cornmeal on top and bottom, baked on my pizza stone, one round and one elongated. Love the crunch from the 7 grains, and the seeds. Next time I'll use loaf pans for a better sandwich size, and next time will have to be soon!

Img_2764 Reply

Oh, susan g, welcome to the fold! So good to hear you've come back to baking. I love the cornmeal idea!

Copy_of_me Reply

Woo-hoo, susan g...I wondered how long it was going to be, before you made this bread. thumbs up:)

Wedding_pictures_162 Reply

Can't figure out how to upload a photo...thoughts?

Img_2764 Reply

Lapadia had the same problem yesterday, drbabs. I'm not sure the function is enabled yet to allow this. But maybe post it on the Hotline page and see who bites. I'd LOVE to see your photo, and am so glad you jumped into the pool.

Copy_of_me Reply

Yes, would LOVE to see you photo, drbabs! Thought about the Hotline, too, but my food site link worked out perfect.

Copy_of_me Reply

Hi Boulangere, I posted this recipe (a couple of my little tweaks) and photo on my foodie website, would be happy if you get some time to check it out! PS-I made this bread yesterday & today...love it.
http://lapadia.wordpress.com/2011/11/01/boulangere%e2%80%99s-hearty-harvest-bread/
Thanks for such a great recipe!

Chocolate_peppermint_truffle_cookies_032 Reply

I am STILL laughing about this. So funny!!! I actually don't want you to pay attention to your fingers - this is much more entertaining!!!

Copy_of_me Reply

LOL....I LOVE it!

Img_2764 Reply

I second the motion, hla and CS. Surely I'm not the only one who makes gaffes like this. But I am still chuckling over it, lapadia.

Img_2764 Reply

I'm still chuckling over it too!

Shamrock-medal Reply

Maybe instead of the defunct "eat your words" article they should add a "hilarious typos" article!

Chocolate_peppermint_truffle_cookies_032 Reply

Oh yes!!! This one would get my nomination.

Img_2764 Reply

I had no idea you had a blog! Your photos and story are beautiful and so kind. I love the sunflower seeds. AND I subscribed to your lovely blog. Thank you so much for your assiduous testing and notes.

Copy_of_me Reply

Hi again, well yes, I have a foodie site, but I don't really do the "blog" thing like everybody else does, so I don't have it linked from here on F52...it basically started out because I had SO much on my harddrive (wrote that in my site profile). Then I discovered Food52 and quickly learned how the rest of the world blogs. That was never my mission, for using wordpress, but it is fun. Thank YOU!

Img_2764 Reply

Foodie, blog, tomayto, tomahto . . . .

Chocolate_peppermint_truffle_cookies_032 Reply

I can see the water is warm and I need to jump in the pool too. And I just subscribed to your blog too, lapadia!! I love it.

Img_2764 Reply

Very warm!

Copy_of_me Reply

I saw that CS, I will be checking yours, too!

Img_2764 Reply

She's done a beautiful job. Be sure to check out her Panty tab.

Img_2764 Reply

Please, please, please give us an Edit function!!!!!!! Be sure to check out her for crying out loud PANTRY tab!

Copy_of_me Reply

:) :) Thanks for the laugh, B! :) Yes we need an Edit function, think it should go hand in hand with any section that involves comments and interaction!!!!!! HAND & HAND FUNCTIONS, INDEED.

Img_2764 Reply

OMG! I screamed out loud when I realized what was posting before my very eyes and I could do nothing to (a) stop it or (b) edit it! I only hope ChezSuzanne is amused as we've been. Sheesh! And hopefully responses and edits will post one heck of a lot more quickly. Again, sheesh!

Shamrock-medal Reply

Y'all are a riot! This thread is cracking me up! The bread looks and sounds fabulous, too.

Copy_of_me Reply

Well hello, HLA! Join in the fun...bake some bread, this recipe is delicious and fun :) @ boulangere, I bet CS will be amused. You should have heard me LOL when I first saw your posting. The bad part is that if you didn't re-comment, I might not have caught it for a while.

Img_2764 Reply

OMG, I caught it the second I hit the ADD button. Seriously, I shrieked out loud about it. But, hla, please do try the bread, panties or pantries aside. Sheesh.

Img_2764 Reply

24 hours later, I still can't believe my typo. Susan's pantRy tab gets better by the day. By all means check it out. As I'm going to be checking out my typing from now on. Seriously, this was my worst gaffe ever. Susan, I'm so sorry. I hope you are able to see the humor as others did. Sheesh.

Img_2764 Reply

Seriously, the cats and dogs all jumped to attention. The birds set up a conversation that lasted a good 20 minutes. Edit function, please oh please!

Chocolate_peppermint_truffle_cookies_032 Reply

I am running late to a function, but was trying to quickly catch up on my gmail emails from Food52. This caught my eye and honestly I burst out laughing!!! STILL laughing. My husband thinks I'm crazy now. This has happened to all of us, but maybe not with so much humor :-) Love all of you!

Img_2764 Reply

You can't imagine how relieved I am. I was starting to think you'd seen the thread and were taking your own sweet time preparing a scathing response. Not really, but I'm glad we all got a good laugh. I've jumped the gun on new year's resolutions: pay attention to my fingers!

Chocolate_peppermint_truffle_cookies_032 Reply

Love the photo!! I can't wait to try this!

Img_2764 Reply

Thank you so much! Please let us know how you like it.

Oldies_joemare_bd Reply

The picture is gorgeous!!

Oldies_joemare_bd Reply

I had forgotten about this wonderful bread. I just copied the recipe into evernote will report back with results. I use Uncle Sam cereal would that work instead of 7 grain cereal?

Img_2764 Reply

Seriously, any whole-grain cereal will be great. And I'd love see your photo!

Copy_of_me Reply

Ditto to your beautiful photo! Except it doesn't look like the new site is set up for use to post photos on other cooks recipes.

Scan0004 Reply

This sounds fantastic! My bread baking skills are failing me lately, but I keep trying. Right now I'm smelling just popped corn and remembering how baking bread smells -- wonderful! (Sign me up for a class!)

Img_2764 Reply

Ok, susan g, there is a plan afoot for food52'ers to come to Montana next summer! I don't know exactly what shape the time will take, but I have a feeling there will be some heavy baking going on. I have bedrooms and beds and tents and sleeping bags. I'll accommodate as many cooks/bakers as want to come to Big Sky Country. And it will be far from all work and not play, as Yellowstone Park is a half day's drive from my back yard. This summer in Montana, next summer in Provence. Come January I'll be asking for people's ideas for a week's time when they'd like to come on out. If you want me to put you on the list, just say the word.

Img_2764 Reply

AAArgh! Sometimes the Reply button works, and sometimes it doesn't. At least I finally got a photo posted. But you just gave me an idea that I hope is a great one. When I give decorative bottles of your Kahlua for Christmas presents, would you mind if I also included your recipe printed right off food52? Sort of the gift that keeps giving idea.

Copy_of_me Reply

Yes, linking the recipe would be a wonderful idea! PS - I have trouble with the reply button now and then, right now it is working for me.

Img_2764 Reply

Thank you, lapadia! I suspect that there will be much continuous giving from your lovely recipe.

Img_2764 Reply

The Reply button doesn't seem to be working at the moment, Lapadia. I've been trying to post a photo too, as well as post a couple of edits. Patience in all things. Hang onto your photo, and I'll look forward to seeing it whenever you can get it posted. Love the cast-iron idea!

Copy_of_me Reply

If you don't mind, I would like to post your recipe on my recipe site to share with family and friends not on F52?

Img_2764 Reply

Please do! Food is for sharing generously!

Copy_of_me Reply

Hi Boulangere, This is a beautiful loaf of bread to make, hearty indeed and what a wonderful earthy taste; love your informational instructions. I baked mine in a cast iron pan lined with parchment. I only had KA white wheat flour so went with that. Thanks for sharing! Posted a photo…

Copy_of_me Reply

OOPS...well I have a good photo of this recipe, looks like I can't post it, though. Where can I sent it to...message me, if you would like. Thanks.

Chocolate_peppermint_truffle_cookies_032 Reply

I've got a bunch of 7-grain that is pleading to be used in this recipe! Making it this week!!! Love it!

Img_2764 Reply

Oddly, it was an abundance of both pumpkin seeds and 7-grain that gave rise, pun very much intended, to this!

Copy_of_me Reply

Love this, I have everything except for the 7-grain...I think. For that do you mean like the dry general mills type? I do have multi grain oats on hand? I even have a "glug" of honey :)

Img_2764 Reply

Your multi-grain oats will be perfect. Hail to the "glug!"

Img_2764 Reply

I SO want you to see photos!

Copy_of_me Reply

Cool! I hope to do the bread tomorrow...if not Tue., will post a photo, for sure. Recipe sounds delicious and yes, "hail" to the glug!

Copy_of_me Reply

In the middle of making a half recipe of this bread, just finished resting for the first 20 minutes. Noticed the ingredients list doesn't show the wheat germ. I used a tablespoon.

Img_2764 Reply

It should show 1/4 cup. If I can, I'll add it. Thanks for catching that!

Img_2764 Reply

LOL! Thanks for point out an important omission, drbabs. Yes, it should read, "Dust the tops of the loaves with bread FLOUR." Haven't had much luck with the edit function this afternoon, but I'll fix it when I can. Also, the bake time should read 50 minutes, not 30. I know you can do this!

Copy_of_me Reply

Question about the bake time = I made this recipe twice, the first time it only took 40 minutes (in a cast iron), today, the second time on a baking sheet it was done at 33 minutes. Thinking the difference in ovens? Also maybe just start checking around 30 minutes?

Wedding_pictures_162 Reply

lapadia, I'm so happy you posted this. I had 2 loaves in the oven at the time --for about 40 minutes. They were close to 200 degrees when I took them out--I'm hoping they're OK--they're GORGEOUS!! Boulangere, I sent you a desperate message when I couldn't get the dough to window pane, but it seems to have worked out. I can't wait till they're cool enough to eat. I'll upload a photo.

Img_2764 Reply

I know, I know, I need to trade up from Barbie and Ken's oven to something more reliable. I'm so grateful you're all checking so assiduously. I'm sure they'll be absolutely fine, drbabs.

Wedding_pictures_162 Reply

They are absolutely wonderful. I have to take them to work tomorrow or I will eat two loaves of bread.

Img_2764 Reply

I hear you.

Wedding_pictures_162 Reply

I swear I'm going to learn to make bread this winter--I love this recipe! I have a couple of questions: why don't you test the yeast first? (I ask this because I went to make bread last week and my yeast didn't bubble at all.) Also, in step 7, do you mean dust the tops of the loaves with flour? Or something else?

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