Homemade brown bread

Makes 1 large loaf

Ingredients:

• 6½ cups (6 x 250 ml + 125 ml) brown bread flour
• ¼ cup (60 ml) crushed wheat (optional)
• 1 x 10 g sachet instant yeast
• ½ tsp (2,5 ml) salt
• 1 tsp (5 ml) sugar
• 3 tbsp (45 ml) sunflower oil 
• about 700 ml lukewarm water
• ¼ cup (60 ml) oats

Process:

1. Mix flour, wheat, yeast, salt and sugar together in a mixing bowl.
2. Stir in the oil and 2 cups of the water. Stir well.
3. If necessary, add more water to form a dough that you can knead. It shouldn’t be too sticky, or too dry.
4. Knead on a lightly floured surface for 10 minutes or until a smooth soft dough forms. If you press the dough lightly with your finger it should spring back.
5. Place in a clean bowl and cover with cling wrap. Allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in size.
6. Knock down the dough with your knuckles. Knead lightly.
7. Lightly grease a 2 litre bread tin. Shape dough into a loaf and place in tin.
8. Cover with a clean tea towel and allow to rise for 20-30 minutes or until doubled in size.
9. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 200 °C. Brush bread with a little milk and sprinkle oats on top.
10. Bake for 45 minutes or until it sounds hollow when tapped.
11. Turn out onto a cooling rack.