500gManitoba flour or strong bread flourOrganic if available
300gWholemeal flour Organic if available
200gSpelt flour
620mlWater
80gSunflower seeds
60gFlax seeds
20gSalt
2tbspOlive oilextra virgin
Instructions
These instructions are for using a mixer, but it can be done by hand, place all dry ingredients onto clean workbench and slowly incorporate the liquid into the flours and then work the dough and knead it for 5-10 mins until the dough is not sticky and smooth and shiny.
Add the yeast to the water in your mixing bowl, if making by hand put water into a just and add yeast, either way let the yeast dissolve. If using dry yeast follow instructions on the pack.
Weight out your dry ingredients, and put into mixing bowl
Attach bowl to your mixer and fit the dough hook
With the mixer running on slow gradually add the water with the dissolved yeast, and then add the oil
Let the bread mix for approx 5-7 mins
Once mixed I just leave it in the mixer bowl and I cover it with a damp tea towel and let it rest and prove for the first time, depending on the ambient temperature this will take around 1 hour but can be longer if cold. Either way you want to leave it until it doubles in size
When it has doubled take it out of the bowl onto a work surface and 'knock it back', just give a knead for around 20-30 seconds, form it into a ball and place it back into the bowl and cover again for the second prove
After around another hour the dough is ready to be shaped into loaves. At this stage you can divide and shape it as you want. I normally split the dough into 3 equal amounts and shape into round loaves, once you have shaped your loaves place them onto an oven tray leaving space between them to rise and cover with a clean damp tea towel
Nearly there now, just the final rest and prove, let your loaves rise and double in size, this will take around another hour, but will be quicker if the environment is hot. Around 30-45 mins later I normally put my oven on, set to 220°C / 425°F / Gas mark 7.
When your loaves have risen you can top them with seeds or just dust with flour, I have a small spray bottle, if I am topping with seeds I spray the tops with a little water to help the seeds to stick, then score your loaves with a very sharp knife or a blade, I use a blade
This next step is optional, place a tray on the bottom of your over and add a cup or 2 of hot water. the steam from this will help your bread rise and give you a nice crust, or if you have a fancy oven that creates steam then use it
Place your loaves into the middle shelf of you oven and let the magic happen
Bake the loaves for around 30-35 mins, my oven takes 35 mins, all ovens are different to it is good to check after 30 mins, once your happy with the colour take out the over and place on a cooling rack. Let the loaves rest and cool before cutting. Enjoy.