“It took me a long time to settle on the title for this post. Why? Because it’s quite a statement to suggest that a humble loaf of bread will change your life.” So said Canadian Holistic Nutritionist Sarah Britton in her My New Roots blog when she first posted the recipe that I’m going to share here today.I can see where she’s coming from and don’t think the name’s too exaggerated at all.
Why? Because for most of us, me included, bread is at the heart of our diets and so of our lives. It makes sense so that, if we can make that bread as nutritionally dense as possible and replace lots of the less nutritious bread we eat with it, then it’s going to make big changes for the better in the way we feel. So according to Sarah here is that loaf, it has no downside.
“The Life-Changing Loaf uses whole grains, nuts, and seeds. It is high in protein. It is incredibly high in fiber. It is gluten-free and vegan. Everything gets soaked for optimal nutrition and digestion. I will go so far as to say this bread is good for you.”
And yet she’s realistic in her approach saying that when you feel like tearing into a crusty baguette you should have it and enjoy it. But once you’ve tried this style of bread based less on grains and more on nutritious seeds and nuts and held together by healthy psyllium fibre, I guarantee you’ll make it again, making it and eating it is no hardship. The process is simplicity itself with no complicated method (just mixing, waiting and baking) and the taste and texture are amazing, moist, chewey and nutty. I really urge you to try this one, it might just be life changing.
Ingredients
- 1 cup / 135g sunflower seeds
- ½ cup / 90g flax seeds
- ½ cup / 65g hazelnuts or almonds
- 1 ½ cups / 145g rolled oats
- 2 Tbsp. chia seeds
- 4 Tbsp. psyllium seed husks (3 Tbsp. if using psyllium husk powder)
- 1 tsp. fine grain sea salt (add ½ tsp. if using coarse salt)
- 1 Tbsp. maple syrup (for sugar-free diets, use a pinch of stevia)
- 3 Tbsp. melted coconut oil or ghee
- 1 ½ cups / 350ml water
Directions
- In a flexible, silicon loaf pan combine all dry ingredients, stirring well. Whisk maple syrup, oil and water together in a measuring cup. Add this to the dry ingredients and mix very well until everything is completely soaked and dough becomes very thick (if the dough is too thick to stir, add one or two teaspoons of water until the dough is manageable). Smooth out the top with the back of a spoon. Let sit out on the counter for at least 2 hours, or all day or overnight. To ensure the dough is ready, it should retain its shape even when you pull the sides of the loaf pan away from it it.
- Preheat oven to 350°F / 175°C.
- Place loaf pan in the oven on the middle rack, and bake for 20 minutes. Remove bread from loaf pan, place it upside down directly on the rack and bake for another 30-40 minutes. Bread is done when it sounds hollow when tapped. Let cool completely before slicing (difficult, but important).
- Store bread in a tightly sealed container for up to five days. Freezes well too – slice before freezing for quick and easy toast!
