New Year's Healthy Cookbook: Healthy harvest bread recipe

For this recipe, use your favorite grains: cornmeal, rice, etc. or nuts: pine nuts for example, for added variety.

Find everything you need to make this healthy bread at your local Meijer.

• 1/2 T active dry yeast
• 2 1/2 cups warm water
• 1/3 cup molasses
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 t olive oil
• 4-5 cups whole wheat flour, plus extra for kneading
• 1/2 cup wheat bran
• 1/2 cup oats
• 1/4 cup each: cashews, almonds, walnuts (roasted and chopped)
• 1/4 cup sunflower seeds, roasted
• 1/2 t sea salt
• butter for pan
• 1 egg white

1. In a large bowl, whisk together yeast and water. Set aside to proof 10-15 minutes, or til foamy. Whisk in molasses, sugar and oil. Set aside.
2. In a separate large bowl, mix flour, bran, oats, nuts and salt.
3. Slowly add wet mixture to dry, mixing well til flour is incorporated. Turn dough out onto a well floured surface. Knead dough about 5 minutes or til a smooth and non-sticky dough forms.
4. Preheat oven to 375°. Generously butter a large baking pan.
5. Shape a round loaf out of the kneaded dough and carefully transfer to prepared pan. Cut three slits in the top of the loaf with a sharp knife. Brush top of loaf with water or a water and egg white mixture. Bake 45-55 minutes or til loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
6. Transfer to a rack and cool 45 minutes to 1 hour before slicing.
7. Note: For a crusty loaf, I baked the bread with a small pan of water and misted it with water every 10 minutes or so. This is not in the original recipe.