Before we delve into the recipes, let’s brush up our knowledge on what to look for when you pick your bread from that huge aisle.

A tip: always look for the first ingredient on the package.

• White bread – it is made up of bleached flour that makes it lighter in color. It is bleached with chemicals through an artificial process, unlike brown bread which mostly contains natural elements. A lot of people say that white bread is softer and tastier than brown bread. White bread has more calorie content than brown bread. 100 grams of white bread contains 361 calories whereas brown bread has 293 calories per 100 grams.
• Brown bread – It is made of whole wheat flour and white flour. So it is safe to say that brown bread is more nutritious and healthier than white bread.
• Multigrain bread – It contains enriched flour, like a mix of wheat, oats, ragi, etc thus increasing the fiber content of the bread.

• This is the best to pick up when looking for a healthier option between white and brown bread.

Tips when choosing bread in the market

• Avoid refined flours
• Avoid hydrogenated fats,
• Avoid refined sugars
• Check for sodium content
• Check for preservatives, fillers and colorings
• Choose bread with higher fiber content
• Go for wholemeal bread
• Check the expiry date.

Types of bread
Bagel: It is a round circle of yeast dough, which is first boiled and then baked.
Baguette: A long, narrow loaf with a very crusty outside and tender inside.
Multigrain bread: It is prepared by combining assorted whole meal, white, or rye flour.
Whole wheat bread: Whole wheat bread is made from coarse and unpolished wheat.
Brown bread: Brown bread gets its rich brown color from wheat and soy.
Rye bread: This type of bread originated in Europe and is made from a mix of rye and wheat flour.

Recipe for homemade brown bread

What you need:

• 1 cup milk, warm (not boiled)
• 2 tbsp sugar
• ½ tbsp dry yeast
• 3 cup whole wheat flour/atta
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp oil
• ½ cup water, as required
• ½ tsp butter, to brush

Method:

1. In a large mixing bowl take 1 cup warm milk.
2. Add 2 tbsp sugar and ½ tbsp dry yeast and mix well.
3. Allow it to rest and allow the yeast to activate. (Wait till it becomes frothy)
4. Further on add 3 cup wheat flour, 1 tsp salt and 2 tbsp oil. Mix well making sure everything is combined well.
5. Additionally, add ½ cup water and knead well.
6. Cover with cling wrap or moist cloth and rest for 2 hours.
7. After 2 hours, the dough will double in size. Knead again to a cylindrical shape.
8. Cover and rest for 30 minutes or till dough rise just an inch above the loaf pan.
9. Place the bread loaf pan in preheated oven and bake at 180-degree Celsius for 30 minutes.
10. Finally, serve whole wheat bread or atta bread with jam or make a sandwich.

Recipe for Homemade Multigrain bread:

What you need:

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup ragi flour
• 3/4 cup maida
• 1/4 cup broken corn
• 1/2 cup instant oats
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 tsp salt
• Water as needed
• 1 egg (just to brush the top, substitute can be milk)

For the yeast mixture

• 1 tbsp yeast
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 cup warm water

Method:

• To a mixer, jar adds oats and broken corn. Grind to a smooth powder.
• Transfer to a mixing bowl and add maida, ragi flour and whole wheat flour.
• Mix well and set aside.
• Add warm water to another mixing bowl.
• Add sugar and yeast. Mix it and set aside undisturbed for 10 mins. It will be frothy in a few mins it shows that the yeast is active.
• Add oil, salt, and mix well.
• Add more water and knead well to smooth dough.
• Transfer to the working surface and start kneading. Fold and knead for at least 5-7 mins. Brush it with oil and keep it inside the mixing bowl, keep covered and set aside to rise for 1 hour.
• Keep this in a warm place.
• It will almost double up. Now punch down to knock out the air.
• Brush with oil, dust with flour and keep the bread pan ready.
• Shape the dough in the form of a log. Seal the edges and fold inwards.
• Transfer to the bread loaf tin and let it rise for 30-45 mins. Brush it with an egg and sprinkle oats.
• Bake in a preheated oven at 200 deg C for 45 mins or until the top turns golden.
• Cool down for 15mins then invert and remove the bread loaf.
• Cooldown completely then slice and serve.

 Important tip

• Slice only after cooling down completely.
• Adjust water quantity according to the dough consistency.

How to keep your bread fresh

• Wrap bread in plastic or aluminum foil.
• Keep bread at room temperature for no more than two days.