Ten-Grain Bread

Directions

1. 1
   Place the yeast, water, honey, salt, oil, cereal, and flaxseeds in a dishpan or large bowl and stir with a wooden spoon.
2. 2
   Add the white flour, and beat with the spoon until well blended.
3. 3
   Add 3 cups of whole wheat flour, then squeeze the mixture with your hands until the flour disappears.
4. 4
   If it is too wet to pick up, add more flour.
5. 5
   As soon as you can handle the dough, sprinkle with a bit more flour and begin to knead directly in the bowl (or on a floured board), adding more flour as necessary.
6. 6
   Knead for 10 minutes, or until the dough comes away from the sides of the bowl and your hands easily.
7. 7
   (It will feel solid and somewhat less elastic than dough made from lighter bread mixtures.)
8. 8
   Shape into a ball.
9. 9
   Spread a little oil on the bottom and sides of the bowl.
10. 10
    Add the ball of dough, then turn it over, oiled side up.
11. 11
    For this recipe, a slow rise is better than a quick one for good texture, so cover the bowl and set in a fairly cool spot for 40 to 60 minutes, or until the dough doubles in bulk.
12. 12
    Lightly sprinkle a large baking sheet with cornmeal and set aside.
13. 13
    Punch down the risen dough, knead for 2 minutes, and form into a ball.
14. 14
    Cut in half, then shape each half into a round loaf.
15. 15
    Place the rounds on the prepared baking sheet, leaving enough space between them to allow for expansion.
16. 16
    Let rise for 20 minutes.
17. 17
    Cut a 1/2-inch-deep cross on the top of each risen loaf.
18. 18
    Brush or spray the loaves with cold water, sprinkle the tops with flaxseeds, and place in a preheated 500F oven.
19. 19
    Spray the oven walls with cold water to create steam.
20. 20
    Reduce the oven temperature to 400F, and bake for 40 minutes, spraying the loaves and oven walls with cold water every 10 minutes.
21. 21
    The loaves are ready when they are very dark brown and hollow-sounding when rapped on the bottom with your knuckle.
22. 22
    Cool on a wire rack before serving.