Homemade Ezekiel Bread Recipe – Healthy & Delicious

Making your own Ezekiel bread might just be the pleasant endeavor your kitchen needs. This recipe combines sprouted grains and legumes, creating a nutritious loaf that doesn’t compromise on flavor. By skillfully blending together ingredients like wheat, spelt, and lentils, you’re not only crafting a delicious outcome but also reaping substantial health benefits. As you commence on this journey to homemade goodness, you might find yourself surprised by the trade-offs you can make for a tastier, healthier option. Curious about how to get started?

Key Takeaways

• Combine equal parts of soaked and ground ancient grains like wheat, barley, and legumes such as lentils for the flour mix.
• Activate yeast with warm water, honey, and a pinch of salt, allowing it to foam before mixing with the flour.
• Knead the dough for about 10 minutes until smooth, then let it rise in a greased bowl until doubled in size.
• Bake the risen dough in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes until golden brown.
• Enjoy Ezekiel bread as a healthy, fiber-rich option, packed with nutrients and no added sugars.

History

While exploring the history of Ezekiel bread, you’ll find that its origins are deeply rooted in the prophetic actions of Ezekiel, a figure from the Old Scripture. Ezekiel’s narrative unfolds in the Book of Ezekiel, where he symbolizes the suffering of Israel and Judah during a siege. His actions included:

• Creating a miniature Jerusalem with siege towers.
• Lying on his sides for specific durations as an act of prophecy.
• Adhering to strict diet restrictions.

Ezekiel consumed a particular bread, combining grains and legumes like wheat, barley, and lentils. This bread served as a stark reminder of the scarcity faced by the people during famine conditions. The ingredients, such as barley cakes, reflected common foods of the time, emphasizing simplicity and deprivation. Ezekiel’s bread is made from diverse grains and legumes to symbolize the sustenance needed for survival during this period of hardship.

Baking methods were primitive and troubling; baking over human excrement highlighted the humiliation the people endured. Ezekiel’s bread, though nourishing, represented a shift from prosperity to hardship, contrasting sharply with the sweet breads of earlier days.

Modern interpretations often misunderstand its significance. Many focus on nutritional benefits, overlooking the austere reality Ezekiel faced, which was meant to symbolize deep hardship rather than gourmet sustenance.

Recipe

Making homemade Ezekiel bread is a rewarding process that combines a variety of nutrient-dense grains and legumes. This recipe embraces the ancient tradition of sprouting grains and legumes to improve their nutritional profile, making it not only a healthy alternative to regular bread but also a delicious one. The unique combination of wheat, spelt, millet, barley, and various legumes creates a hearty and flavorful loaf that pairs well with a wide range of toppings, from butter and honey to avocado and nut butter.

The preparation involves grinding the grains and legumes to form a flour-like consistency, followed by an efficient mixing and kneading process to develop a smooth, elastic dough. The careful rising technique guarantees the bread develops a wonderful texture and crumb structure. Each serving of Ezekiel bread provides essential nutrients, making it a nutritious choice for meals. After baking, the aroma of freshly made bread will fill your kitchen, inviting everyone to enjoy a slice.

Ingredients:
– Wheat
– Spelt
– Millet
– Barley
– Oat bran
– Green lentils
– Black beans
– Kidney beans
– Great northern beans
– Garbanzo beans
– Water
– Honey
– Olive oil
– Yeast
– Salt
– Lecithin (optional)
– Egg (optional)

To prepare the Ezekiel bread, start by grinding the grains and legumes together until they reach a flour-like consistency. In a separate bowl, mix together warm water, honey, olive oil, and yeast. Allow this mixture to sit for about 5 minutes until it foams up.

Once foamy, gradually combine the ground grains and legumes with the yeast mixture and mix until fully combined. The dough will be sticky and wet, so knead it for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, or use a stand mixer for ease.

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise until it doubles in size. After the first rise, shape the dough into a loaf, place it in a greased loaf pan for a second rise, and then bake at 350°F for 30-50 minutes or until golden brown. Remember to let it cool on a rack before slicing.

An important tip is to confirm that when grinding the grains and legumes, you don’t overload your blender or flour mill to achieve an even consistency. Additionally, if you’re opting to include sprouted grains, soak and sprout them properly before grinding.

Experimenting with different types of beans or adding spices such as cumin or coriander can also offer a unique twist to your Ezekiel bread. Enjoy your baking adventure!

Final Thoughts

Homemade Ezekiel bread not only offers a unique flavor and texture but also packs a powerful nutritional punch. Choosing this bread means you’re embracing a healthier lifestyle. Here are some key nutritional benefits you can expect:

• Rich in Fiber: Each slice contains 3 grams, supporting digestion and stable blood sugar levels.

• High in Protein: With 5 grams per slice, its protein mainly comes from soybeans and lentils.

• Low in Sodium: It’s a heart-friendly option for those with hypertension or kidney issues.

• Packed with Vitamins and Minerals: You’ll gain zinc, calcium, magnesium, and iron.

• No Added Sugars: Unlike traditional white bread, Ezekiel bread has no added sugars.

The sprouting process improves digestibility and nutrient absorption. By reducing phytates, it makes essential minerals more accessible and increases vitamin content. This sprouting process can help you manage your weight and cholesterol levels effectively.

In short, incorporating homemade Ezekiel bread into your diet offers substantial health benefits that far exceed those of white bread.

You’ll nourish your body with wholesome ingredients while enjoying a delicious product that aligns with your health goals.

Make the switch for better health today!

FAQ

Curiosity often leads to the most common questions about Ezekiel bread. Here’s a brief overview to help you understand its ingredients, preparation, and benefits.

Ingredients in Ezekiel Bread:

• Wheat is the primary ingredient according to biblical scripture.

• Barley, millet, lentils, and various beans improve the mix.

• Ancient grains like spelt and Kamut are preferred for their nutrition and flavor.

• Optional ingredients include olive oil, honey, sunflower lecithin, egg, and salt for added taste.

Making Ezekiel Bread:

1. Combine grains and legumes to form the Ezekiel mix.

2. Mill or grind the mix into flour.

3. Mix the flour with warm water, oil, honey, and lecithin or egg.

4. Add instant yeast to help the dough rise.

5. Bake the dough in a loaf pan.

Health Benefits:

• High in protein and fiber, Ezekiel bread supports a complete diet.

• Sprouting grains and legumes boosts nutrition and digestibility, making it a rich source of complete protein.

• You can make variations like muffins or pancakes for versatility.