Sunday, February 17, 2008

Healthy Whole Grain Bread

Sunday, February 17, 2008

I've been talking about losing ten pounds ever since I started this blog. Sometimes I think I'm just fooling myself, and other times I get inspired and determined. This was an inspired and determined weekend. I decided I could eat bread, but only good-for-you bread. I don't really like 100% whole wheat bread, but I thought I could modify a light wheat bread by cutting down on the white flour, so I modified Peter Reinhart's Light Wheat Bread, which calls for about 2/3 bread flour and 1/3 whole-wheat flour. I used 1/4 bread, 1/4 whole-wheat, 1/4 white whole-wheat, and 1/4 rye flour.
I know I'm not supposed to say this, but I really like white bread better than whole-wheat. This loaf just wasn't that great--especially not when compared to the wonderfully flavorful ciabatta that I made last week. I can see why the peasants, with their solid, healthy loaves of whole-wheat bread, moved up the bread ladder to white bread as soon as they got a chance. I would have been better off reprising Rose's Honey Oat Bread, or trying a recipe that gets more flavor from nuts or fruits. It didn't help that I didn't put any butter or jam on the bread either. On the good side, I lost a pound.
Also, when Jim photographed this bread, he insisted on taking only pictures of the ends, which--again--are rather odd looking. The last time I tried whole-wheat bread, the ends turned out looking like navels. This time, as Jim was more than happy to point out, they look like a plumber's butt.

Sounds really appetizing, doesn't it?

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am still laughing! I can't say I've seen many plummer butts, but it looks somewhat like the many generic butts I've viewed in my nursing career!

Your bread does look nice sliced. Alas, bread with butter and jam was made for each other. It isn't really the first slice that puts on the weight, it is the 18th one!

jini said...

well, unfortunately i have viewed as many generics as melinda has, but also the plumber variety. :( on a former remodel the wife of our contractor mentioned that she always told her hubby not to let his smile show when we bent over. i would say that bread has an excellent smile. :)

doughadear said...

You are too funny Marie! I have to agree that white bread kicks butt and in this case a very nice one.

jini said...

oops, that would be when HE bent over. :)

Marie said...

Melinda,
Your comment that bread, butter, and jam are made for each other is exactly right--and why I have so little success in dieting. Usually, after about 45 minutes, I start feeling deprived.

Jini,
I stay out of the kitchen when the plumber is there just for that reason.

Doughadear,
Funny!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing the plumber butt photo. It made me laugh out loud. I take my bread baking so seriously.

Marie said...

Anon.,
Glad you liked it--I was a little irritated at Jim for comparing my bread to a plumber's butt, but then I had to admit it was kind of apt.

Sunshinemom said...

I came here looking for healthy breads but this was so funny :). The top snap looks nice though! I looked at plumber butt photo twice wondering..........ha ha!

Marie said...

Sunshinemom,
Yes, it would definitely be a letdown to come to this blog looking for a healthy bread recipe, but I highly recommend the oatmeal bread recipe on realbakingwithrose.com