Homemade Citrus-Poppyseed Bread

Though we didn't bake it this morning, this is one of Rick's and my favourite breakfasts. It is adapted from a traditional soda bread recipe. This is a dense, filling bread is low in saturated fat and provides a good source of elements: phosphorus (bone health), selenium (thyroid health), and manganese (bone health). Aside from being good for you, this bread is delicious, too. The sweetness of the bread is tempered perfectly by the tanginess of citrus.

Enjoy!

Homemade Citrus-Poppyseed Bread

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from the kitchen of Kimberly Joki-DeLong

Serves 10

Makes 1 loaf or 10 thick slices

Nutrition: 162 calories ◦ 6g protein ◦ 4g fat

29g carbohydrates ◦ 5g fiber

Ingredients:

◦ 2 cups whole-wheat flour

◦ 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus some for dusting

◦ 3 T poppy seeds

◦ 1 t baking soda

◦ 1 t baking powder

◦ ¼ t salt

◦ 1 T pure honey, more for topping

◦ 1 large egg, preferably organic

◦ 1 T olive oil

◦ Zest & juice of 1 large organic orange, some for garnish if desired

◦ Purified water as needed

◦ Zest of half an organic lemon

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Meanwhile dust baking sheet with flour and set aside.

2. In a medium to large mixing bowl, mix all the dry ingredients together. In another bowl, whisk all wet ingredients together well, do no add the water.

3. Add wet mix to dry mix by cutting it in using a rubber spatula. Mix well until dough just comes together and there is little or no dry mix which has not been folded into the dough. You may need to add water at this point to make sure all the dry mix gets included in the dough. Your dough should be sticky, don't try handling it with your hands as it is very messy.

4. When everything is well-mixed, use the spatula to turn the dough out onto the baking sheet. Use spatula to shape the dough and press in orange slices for garnish if using. Use a knife to score the bread down the middle between the garnish.

5. Put pan in warm oven, bake for about 20 minutes or until the exterior is golden and “crusty.” Test the middle of the bread with a clean toothpick, if it comes out clean the bread is done. Using a metal spatula, transfer cooked bread to serving dish. Let cool briefly before serving.

Serving suggestions:

◦ Serve with honey and canola oil if you want some extra flavour

◦ To round out this meal, which focuses on the bread, try adding fresh fruit in a complementary colour. Try kiwi, blueberries, red grapes, or plums.

◦ You should always have good proteins in the morning to sustain you throughout the day, nuts like almonds and walnuts are tasty with this meal.