Tall Grass Wild Rice Bread

Tall Grass Prairie Bread Co.'s Wild Rice Bread began its life in their bakery after being approached by a Manitoban aboriginal band who were forming a co-op to market their own wild rice. Inspired by this idea, Tall Grass quickly decided to design a bread. It has had its fan base ever since.

The Wild Rice Bread is a blend that celebrates the pristine lakes of the shield country and combines it with heritage Red fife wheat. A bread that is nutty, earthy and delicious.

INGREDIENTS

1 ½ cups whole wheat flour

1 cup white flour

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. instant yeast

1 tsp. ginger powder

½ cup wheat sour (optional, if available)

1 to 1 ½ cups of water

½ cup cooked wild rice

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix everything except for the cooked wild rice, adding enough water to create a workable dough.
2. Knead dough by hand or in a small mixer for about 7 to 9 minutes, until gluten is strong. Then work in the cooked wild rice, ensuring it is fully mixed in.
3. Let rise in a warmish place, until about double in size, approx. 1 hour.
4. Divide into loaves, as many as appropriate for your oven size (should give about 2 average size loaves). Gently shape into loaf: can be baked in a loaf pan, or left freestanding on parchment paper. Wait until almost double in size. You will know when it is ready to bake when a floured finger pressed against the loaf still springs back but leave a distinct indent.
5. Bake at 380°F for about half an hour. The bread should be nice and brown and have a hollow sound on the bottom when tapped.
6. Recommend serving fresh on the side of your favourite hearty lunch or dinner, or with a healthy dollop of homemade jam.