Birch Grove Delicious Homemade Bread

One ingredient that has improved our bread baking is Matthew's Eight Grain Flour. This blend has a rich complex flavour, excellent texture and reliable results.

Why did we choose Matthew's Eight Grain Flour?

Having been making our own bread for over a decade in a bread machine, when we started hosting, we knew we wanted to provide fresh bread for our guests. Wanting to try something a bit different and special, we came across Matthew's Eight Grain Flour and decided to give it a try. The bread has a delicious taste, speckled texture and golden crust with the grains contributing to a complex flavour that is slightly sweet and nutty.

Guests at Birch Grove Cabin have often commented on the delicious taste of our homemade bread. It's even made its way as sandwiches to the top of nearby munro mountains, Beinn Alligin and Beinn Eighe.

Our homemade bread recipe

Ingredients

5g dried yeast (suitable for bread machines)

400g Matthew's Eight Grain strong multigrain flour

5g sugar

5g salt

15g olive oil

190 ml lukewarm water

Method

We currently make our loaves using a Panasonic bread machine on a 5-hour, medium-size loaf setting.

Ingredients are added to the bread machine in the order they are listed above. When baked, turn out onto a cooling rack. Allow to cool for about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Serving suggestions

• Warm it up: Serve the bread warm with a pat of butter or a drizzle of olive oil.

• Accompaniments: Serve with a selection of cheeses, jam, or honey.

• Rustic touch: Slice the bread thickly to highlight its texture and serve with hot soup after a day out in the hills.

Tips for making your own bread

Inspired to make your own bread at home? Consider these practical points:

• Store flour in a cool, dry place.

• Use a kitchen scale for precise measurements.

• Keep a baking journal to note what works best for your oven/bread machine and taste preferences.