Wheat Bread Photo Tutorial

I know that many people really enjoy having pictures to accompany instructions in a recipe, so I thought I would do a series of posts this week that describe in detail--and in pictures--all of the steps for making this whole wheat loaf.  This is the basic recipe, and there will be more detailed instructions embedded in the text over the next several days.

Whole Wheat Bread

3 Tbsp. oil
+ water to equal 2 cups wet ingredients

2 c. whole wheat flour
2 c. white bread flour
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. yeast
3 tsp. sugar

Mix the wet ingredients in a microwave-safe dish and microwave for 45 seconds.  Mix dry ingredients separately.  Place preheated wet ingredients in the bottom of a mixer bowl and add the dry ingredients on top.  Mix for 2 minutes, until the dough has pulled away from the sides of the bowl.  Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth.  Before shaping, cover and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.  When dough is doubled in size, punch down and roll out into a rectangle.  Roll up the loaf, pinching all of the seams closed.  Let rise for another 30 minutes.  Cut diagonal slashes in the top.  Bake for 10 minutes at 400 ℉, then reduce the temperature to 375 ℉ and cook 25 minutes longer.  Turn off the oven and let sit in the oven for 10 minutes more.  Cool before slicing.