rancho bread

Since my posting about Rancho La Puerta yesterday I wanted to share some of my favorite recipes from one of their cookbooks.  The Whole Wheat Ranch Bread makes a healthy, dense loaf.  I like it best toasted with a generous schmear of butter and honey.  My husband likes it thick sliced with turkey, mayo, mustard and provolone cheese .  Since it is made with simple ingredients it is best eaten within a a couple of days of baking.

Whole Wheat Ranch Bread

1/4 cup Honey (I add more for a sweeter bread)
2 TBLS (2 packages) active dry Yeast
2 TBLS Canola Oil
6 1/2 cups Whole Wheat Flour, plus more as needed

In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 1/2 cups tepid water, the honey, yeast and oil.  Stir and set aside for 5-6 minutes, until mixture bubbles and foams.  Begin adding the flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing with your hands or wooden spoon until the dough comes together and forms a manageable ball.  Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes, or until our hands come clean when lifted from the dough and the dough is smooth and elastic (see note).

Divide dough into 2 equal-sized pieces and form into free-form loaves.  Put the loaves on an ungreased baking pan.  Alternatively, shape dough into loaves and put in two 5x8-inch loaf pans.  Cover with dish towels and set aside in a warm, draft-free place for 40-60 minutes, until doubled in bulk.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Bake the bread on the center rack of the oven for about 40 minutes until the crusts are golden brown and sound hollow when thumped on the bottom.  Cool slightly on wire racks before slicing. (I find that the bread doesn't turn a typical "golden" brown so watch you don't over bake).  Sometimes I brush butter over the top of the bread prior to baking to give it a nice color and shine.

NOTE:  to test if the dough is well kneaded, insert a clean thumb into the dough and count to 5.  If your thumb comes out clean, the dough is kneaded properly and you do not need to add any more flour.  Store the bread in a well-sealed plastic bag and foil to last longer.