Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra said, "All sorrows are less with bread." And the great food writer James Beard said, "Good bread is the most fundamentally satisfying of all foods." Put these two thoughts on bread together and the absolute necessity of having a good bread recipe - or a good baker nearby! - is clear. That is never easy, but if you are following a gluten-free diet, it becomes even trickier. Many gluten-free breads have a brick-like consistency and flavour. While that can be okay for a slice or two once in a blue moon depending on what you top it with, you probably want something lighter and more versatile in the bread you eat day to day - or meal to meal! This is the recipe that does it for us. Bread-making can be time-consuming, we admit. But here's yet another quote on bread for you, this one from M.F.K. Fisher. "[Bread-making is] one of those almost hypnotic businesses, like a dance from some ancient ceremony. It leaves you filled with one of the world's sweetest smells... there is no chiropractic treatment, no Yoga exercise, no hour of meditation in a music-throbbing chapel. that will leave you emptier of bad thoughts than this homely ceremony of making bread." With this in mind, taking your sweet time making bread attains a new significance! Once finished, this bread keeps well in the refrigerator and is lovely both cold or warmed up
Soak it up...
Some advance strategising is required to soak the nuts and seeds you're going to use to draw together all the ingredients here and - essentially - keep them together. Hydrating your nuts is also thought to reduce the phytic acid found in them, which people suggest prevents your body from optimising all the minerals and nutrients that nuts have to offer. If, like us, you're not much of a planner when it comes to cooking, it can be a turnoff. However, it really just means throwing the ingredients, including Erbology Organic Hemp Seed Powder and Erbology Organic Chia Powder, in a bowl and filling with water, then setting aside for a few hours. Go take a walk. Organise your sock drawer. Water your plants. Stare out of the window and dream, a cup of good coffee by your side.
... and bake
Halfway through the baking time, release the loaf from its confining tray. After all, this is a free-spirited gluten-free bread recipe. That is to say, it wants to finish up its time in the oven somewhere it can expand and shape itself according to its own will. Similar to the German rye (another bread we love), no yeast or rising is required for this bread.
The virtues of hemp and chia seeds
Eating a variety of nuts and seeds is a great idea for many different reasons. Firstly, there are so many flavours and textures to savour! Further, each nut and seed offers slightly different nutritional benefits, while many do share similar properties. For instance, hemp seeds are remarkable for their perfect ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and their status as a complete plant-based source of protein. Moreover, they can also offer magnesium and iron. On the other hand, chia seeds are a wonderful go-to for soluble fibre. However, no need to choose between the two this time, though - you are getting both with this gluten-free bread recipe!Baking
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Ingredients
1 ⅓ cups gluten-free oats 1 cup psyllium husks 2 tsp Erbology Organic Chia Powder 1 tsp Erbology Organic Hemp Seed Powder ¼ cup sesame seeds Fourth of a cup hazelnuts ¼ cup pumpkin seeds ¼ cup sunflower seeds 1 tbsp maple syrup 3 ½ cups water Pinch of salt
