12 Grain Spiced Fruit and Nut Loaf

[picture to come]

This bread is wholesome and grainy, nutty and fruity, earthy and spicy. It is the kindling one needs for a firey morning in the garden in winter, it is the comfort one needs matched with a tea for a midnight snack, it is the intrigue one needs at a moment of pause in the day, when at any moment one cannot discern all the components involved so just surrender and let the unique combination of spices dance.

I want to try it as a sourdough but havent yet.

Ingredients

450g strong white wheat flour
200g spelt flour
150g "10 grain hot cereal mix" (wheat, corn, millet, rye, triticale, oats, soy, barley, brown rice, flaxseed)

2 tsp yeast
1 tsp honey
Approx 400ml warm water plus extra

2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cardamom
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp mixed spice
2 tsp fennel seeds caramelized in brown sugar and butter
2 tsp salt
1 tbsp olive oil

Handful of walnuts
Handful of pecans
Handful of almonds
Handful of pistachios

Handful of sultanas
Handful of chopped figs
Handful of chopped apricots
Handful of cranberries

Chia Seeds for the top

Method

Place half the water, honey and yeast into a cup and mix. set aside.
Place the remaining 200ml water in a bowl with the 10 grain mix and leave to soak for 15 minutes.
Place the flours in a large bowl and add all ingredients together. Knead and mix together with claw like movements of the hands. Add some water if the dough is slightly too dry. It needs to be sticky, but not as fluid as a cake mix dough, not as firm as a normal pizza dough. Knead for 10 minutes.

Line two medium-small bread tins with paper and coat in olive oil.
Place half the dough in each and cover with plastic bags, adding a cup of boiling water in each to create humidity and warmth. (note this may not be required on a hot summer day).

Leave to Prove for approximately 45 minutes to 1.5 hours until the dough slightly springs back when touched. Pre-emt this and preheat the over at the 30 minute mark to 200 C.

Bake for 25 minutes till golden brown. The bread is heavy so it is not going to sound hollow like other simple white breads.

Enjoy with tea !