Cracked Bulgur Wheat Loaf

I have always liked superior grainy bread with all the goodness and flavour from the grains. This recipe is so easy to make at home using Bulgur medium cracked wheat.

Ingredients make 2 loaves

Starter mix

750 g lukewarm water

70 g honey

1 packet dry yeast (7g)

160 g medium or coarse cracked bulgur wheat

160 g plain white flour

320 g wholemeal flour

Final mix

50 g vegetable oil

20 g salt

320 g wholemeal flour

Method

Place water, honey, yeast and cracked wheat in a large bowl and combine evenly. Add the flour and blend for approx. 1 minute until consistently mixed. Cover the bowl with cling wrap and a towel. Leave to rise at room temperature for 1 hour. Add the other ingredients and mix for approx. 5 minutes. Cover the dough in the bowl with a towel and leave for approx. 60 minutes until doubled in size. Remove the dough from the bowl and place on a lightly floured kitchen table. Deflate the dough and shape the dough into a log shape. Place the dough in a greased 10 x 10 x 28 cm Pullman tin. Place a towel on top and let the dough rise until 1 cm from the top approx. 90 minutes. Preheat oven to 200ºC. Remove the towel and place the lid on the tin. Place the tin in the middle of the oven and bake for approx. 40 minutes. Remove the bread from the tin and allow cooling for at least 30 minutes on a wire rack before cutting.

Note: Try adding other grains and seeds such as rye, oats and Chia seeds.