Bread with flax seeds

Flaxseed Bread – A Nutritious and Easy-to-Make Delicacy

Flaxseed bread is not only a delicious choice but also a rich source of essential nutrients. This simple recipe will guide you step by step to achieve a crispy, flavorful, and healthy bread, perfect for breakfast or as an accompaniment to meals. Whether you are an experienced cook or a beginner, this recipe will bring you the satisfaction of baking an exceptional bread at home.

Preparation Time:
- Preparation: 20 minutes
- Rising: 1 hour
- Shaping and second rising: 30 minutes
- Baking: 40 minutes
- Total: 2 hours and 30 minutes

Number of servings: 8 slices

Ingredients:
- 400 g white flour (type 650)
- 100 g whole wheat flour
- 7 g dry yeast
- 30 g flaxseeds
- 350 ml lukewarm water (approximately 37-40 degrees Celsius)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt (approximately 7 g)
- 1 tablespoon sunflower oil (for added flavor and texture)

A Bit of History
Bread is one of humanity's oldest foods, and adding flaxseeds not only gives it a unique taste but also remarkable nutritional benefits. Flaxseeds are rich in omega-3, fiber, and antioxidants, making this bread an excellent option for a healthy lifestyle.

Step by Step – Making Flaxseed Bread

1. Mixing the Ingredients
In a wooden bowl or large bowl, mix the white flour with whole wheat flour, dry yeast, flaxseeds, and salt. Ensure that the ingredients are well combined to prevent lumps of yeast.

2. Adding Water and Kneading
Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the lukewarm water and sunflower oil. Use a spatula or your hands to mix the ingredients until you achieve a homogeneous dough. Then, knead the dough for 8-10 minutes. The dough is ready when it no longer sticks to your hands and becomes elastic.

3. Letting the Dough Rise
Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1 hour, or until it doubles in size. This step is crucial for achieving fluffy bread.

4. Shaping the Bread
Once the dough has risen, sprinkle a little flour on the work surface and turn the dough out. Gently stretch it with your fingers to release the air, then fold it several times to shape it. Form it into the desired shape and place it in a banneton, a special bread proofing basket. Cover the banneton with a cloth and let it rise for 25-30 minutes.

5. Preparing for Baking
While the dough is rising, preheat the oven to 250 degrees Celsius. Prepare a baking tray for the bread and optionally, another vessel with hot water to create steam in the oven, which will help form a crispy crust.

6. Scoring and Baking
Carefully turn the bread from the banneton onto the tray. Using a blade or a very sharp knife, make several slashes on the surface of the bread. These not only provide a beautiful appearance but also help the bread expand during baking. Place the tray in the oven and add the vessel with hot water. Bake for 15 minutes.

7. Reducing the Temperature
After the first 15 minutes, carefully remove the vessel with water from the oven and reduce the temperature to 220 degrees Celsius. Continue baking for another 25-30 minutes, until the bread is golden and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

8. Cooling and Serving
Once baked, remove the bread from the tray and mist it with a little water to retain moisture. Wrap it in a clean towel to cool slowly. This will help form a soft crust.

Serving Suggestions
Flaxseed bread is delicious served warm, with butter or fresh cheese. It can be used as a base for healthy sandwiches or as an accompaniment to soups and salads. A wonderful idea would be to serve it with avocado spread or hummus for a healthy snack.

Possible Variations
For an even richer flavor, try adding dried herbs (such as rosemary or oregano) to the dough. You can also combine flaxseeds with sesame or sunflower seeds for varied texture and taste.

Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use fresh yeast instead of dry yeast?
Yes, you can use fresh yeast, but you will need about 21 g. Dissolve it in lukewarm water before adding it to the ingredients.

2. What can I do if the dough doesn’t rise?
Make sure the yeast is fresh and that the water is not too hot. You can try letting the dough rise in a warmer place.

3. How can I store the bread?
The bread keeps well in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days. You can also freeze it to preserve it for a longer time.

Nutritional Benefits
Flaxseed bread is rich in fiber, which aids digestion, and omega-3 fatty acids, essential for heart health. Additionally, flaxseeds are a good source of protein and antioxidants.

This flaxseed bread recipe not only offers a delicious taste but also a pleasant cooking experience at home. So gather the ingredients and enjoy the process of baking a healthy and flavorful bread!