Dukan Diet - Bread Recipe

During the consolidation phase of the Dukan diet it it nice to know that you are allowed to eat two slices of bread a day.

You will probably enjoy it more if you make it yourself, so here are a few tips for making some really tasty bread.

The whole-wheat bread you bake at home will surpass in flavor, fragrance and nutritive value any bread you can buy. The old excuse that it takes too long to bake your own bread is refuted in the recipes you will find here and your own satisfaction in knowing that you are giving your family the best bread that can be made is more than worth the little time it takes.

You will discover that it's fun to knead and shape the dough, and that it somehow satisfies the elemental desire of woman to prepare fine food for her family. True, bread-making is an art and you may have to experiment to find the exact technique suited to you. But it's worth it, just as it is to take any basic recipe and, by imagination and experiment, make it your own.

The best bread is that made with wheat you grind yourself. However, there are sources of excellent freshly stone-ground flour in most neighborhoods or from reputable mail-order and internet based firms.

It is best to heat milk gently rather than scald it, in order to promote enzymatic action and prevent the destruction of phosphatase in both the grain and the milk.

Allow the sponge or first mixture to rise slowly so that the bran may soften and more gluten may develop. For the rising, cover with a clean linen cloth.

BASIC WHOLE WHEAT BREAD RECIPE

Dissolve 2 yeast cakes or 2 pkgs. dry yeast in 1/3 c. lukewarm water. In a 4-qt. kettle bring to blood heat 2 c. milk. Add 3 tbsp. oil or other fat, 3 tbsp. honey or unsulphured molasses or a mixture of both. Stir in dissolved yeast. Add 3 c. whole wheat flour and beat well for 5 minutes.

Cover tightly and set in warm place, away from draught, until it rises to twice its bulk. Turn out on floured board, add 2 tsp. salt and knead about 10 minutes, until satiny, adding more flour if necessary. Dough should be soft and pliable but not stiff. Divide in half and shape into 2 loaves. Place in greased bread pans and put in warm place until loaves double in size.

Bake in hot oven, 400°, for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350° and continue baking for 40 minutes. Brush loaves with soft butter and turn out on rack to cool.

Variations
1. Wheat germ may be substituted for 1 c. flour.
2. Soy flour may be substituted for 2 c. flour.
3. Unbleached white flour may be substituted for 3 c. flour.
4. Cracked wheat may be substituted for 1 c. flour.
5. Sesame seeds may be used to cover the dough when shaping for pans.
Brush loaves with egg white so seeds will stick.
6. Raisins and nuts may be added if a sweet bread is desired.

For More Dukan Diet Recipes See: