Light Wheat Bread

Since I can't have dairy I find it very difficult buying store bought bread, especially here in Japan.  In the states it wasn't that big of a deal as there are many alternatives and breads are much more fresh than what I can buy here on base.  So I've been trying out a few different bread recipes hoping to find something relatively healthy, no dairy and great for things like sandwiches.  My husband bought me The Bread Bakers Apprentice book for Christmas and this was one of the first recipes I've tried from it.  I was very pleased with the results.  It is light and fluffy and definitely can be used for sandwiches.  It did take a bit of elbow grease and time because you have to knead it for about 10 minutes by hand before letting it rise.   I opted to not use the powdered milk the recipe calls for to keep mine dairy free and you can substitute the shortening for butter as well to give it an even nicer flavor. 

2 1/2 cups (11.25 oz) unbleached high-gluten or bread flour
1 1/2 cups (6.75 oz.) whole-wheat flour
2 tablespoons (.75 oz.)  honey
2 teaspoons (.38 oz.) salt
3 tablespoons (1 oz.) powdered milk (*optional)
1 1/2 teaspoons (.17 oz.) instant yeast
2 tablespoons (1 oz.) shortening (or unsalted butter), at room temperature
1 1/4 cups (10 oz.) water, at room temperature
 
Stir together the high-gluten flour, whole-wheat flour, salt, powdered milk, and yeast in a 4-quart mixing bowl (or in the bowl of an electric mixer). Add the shortening, honey (if using), and water. Stir (or mix on low speed with the paddle attachment) until the ingredients form a ball. If there is still flour in the bottom of the bowl, dribble in additional water. The dough should feel soft and supple. It is better for it to be a little too soft that to be too stiff and tough.

Sprinkle high-gluten or whole-wheat flour on the counter, and transfer the dough to the counter, and begin kneading (or mix on medium speed with the dough hook). Add more flour if needed to make a firm, supple dough that is slightly tacky but not sticky. Kneading should take about 10 minutes (6 minutes by machine). Lightly oil a large bowl and transfer the dough to the bowl, rolling it around to coat it with oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
Ferment at room temperature for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the dough doubles in size.

Remove the dough from the bowl and press it by hand into a rectangle about 3/4 inch thick, 6 inches wide, and 8 to 10 inches long. Form it into a loaf by working from the short side of the dough, rolling up the length of the dough one section at a time, pinching the crease with each rotation to strengthen the surface tension. It will spread wider as you roll it. Pinch the final seam closed with the back edge of your hand or with your thumbs. Place the loaf in a lightly oiled 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 inch bread pan; the ends of the loaf should touch the ends of the pan to ensure an even rise. Mist the top with spray oil and loosely cover with plastic wrap.

Proof at room temperature for approximately 60 to 90 minutes, or until the dough crests above the lip of the pan.
 
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F with the oven rack on the middle shelf.  Place the bread pan on a sheet pan and bake for 30 minutes. Rotate the pan 180 degrees for even baking and continue baking for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the oven. The finished loaf should register 190 degrees F in the center, be golden brown on the top and the sides, and sound hollow when thumped on the bottom.  When the bread is finished baking, remove it immediately from the loaf pan and cool it on a rack for at least 1 hour, preferably 2 hours, before slicing or serving.

I used a little bit of egg wash and to make some oats stick to the top of my loaf just to make it look pretty.