Multi Grain Bread with Chia, Flaxseed, Wheat Germ and Sunflower seeds

Don't waste your money on a bread machine when you can make your own artisan bread at home without any special equipments. If I can make it definitely you all can make it :) so go ahead and give it a try and you will be thrilled with your baking skills and achievement. I absolutely love bread and as promised here is another bread recipe and this time its a multi-grain bread with Chia seeds, Sunflower seeds,Wheat germ and Ground Flaxseed. If you don't have the ingredients listed under the 'Multigrain Ingredients' you can skip it completely and the result would be a good gourmet whole wheat bread. 
I would also like to highlight the health benefits of these grains used for this bread.

Chia is a great source of Omega 3's. It is also high in protein and very high in fiber. Chia seeds are easy to digest and don't need to be ground or mashed to release their nutritional benefits. One ounce of chia seeds, roughly 3 tablespoons, contains 150calories, 10 grams of healthy fat (mostly polyunsaturated fat) 0 mg cholesterol,6 milligrams of sodium, 5 grams of protein, 200 milligrams of calcium,and 12 grams of fiber. Chia seeds also contain phosphorus, magnesium, manganese,copper, iron, niacin and zinc.

• Heart Health
• Increase Energy
• Relief From Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Feeling Good
• Anti Aging
• Regulated Blood Pressure
• Reducing Menopause Symptoms
• Gastro-intestinal Health
• Bone Health
• Mental Health
• Control Of Type ll Diabetes
• Prenatal Health
• Breast Health
• Prostate Health

For other Chia Recipe click here

Flax seed is also a good source of omega-3 , fiber and can be used as a fat substitute.

• Protection against Heart Disease, Cancer and Diabetes
• Helps Prevent and Control High Blood Pressure
• Lowers Blood Pressure in Men with High Cholesterol
• Rich in Beneficial Fiber
• Protects women against breast cancer and may serve a role in protecting post-menopausal woman from cardiovascular disease
• Reduces Hot Flashes Almost 60%
• Helps with Dry eye syndrome

Sunflower seeds: A handful of sunflower seeds will take care of your hunger, while also enhancing your health by supplying significant amounts of vitamin E, magnesium and selenium.

• Improved Detoxification and Cancer Prevention from Sunflower Seeds' Selenium
• Calm Your Nerves, Muscles and Blood Vessels with Sunflower Seeds' Magnesium
• Sunflower Seeds' Phytosterols Lower Cholesterol
• Anti-Inflammatory and Cardiovascular Benefits from Sunflower Seeds' Vitamin E

Wheat germ contains vitamins and minerals but it is especially rich in Vitamin E.It is also a good source of important B vitamins, such as folic acid, thiamin, vitamin B6 and minerals like magnesium, manganese, and zinc.
It has been found that oil derived from wheat germ improves strength and increases longevity. Studies found that the active elements in the germ are vitamin E and the essential fatty acids.

Wheat germ also contain Octacsanol a substance that helps to :

• Fight against muscular disorders such as muscular dystrophy and neuro-muscular problems.
• Lower cholesterol bad cholesterol levels
• Improve muscular energy and provides endurance during exercise.
• Provides longevity and vitality
• Improves reflexes
• Improves the utilization of oxygen during exercise.
• Adjust the body during stress.

Makes 2 Loaves


Ingredients
For the yeast mixture
1 3/4 Cup plus + 2 tablespoon - Warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1 (.25 ounce)packet  = 2 1/4 Tsp. Active dry yeast
2 1/2 Tablespoon - Honey
Dry Ingredients
2 1/2 Cup - Bread flour or All purpose flour (* Refer Notes)
1 3/4 Cup - Whole wheat flour

1 1/2 Teaspoon - Salt

Multigrain Ingredients
3 Tablespoon - Chia seeds
3 Tablespoon - Ground Flax seed
3 Tablespoon - Sunflower seeds
3 Tablespoon - Wheat Germ

1 1/2 Tablespoon - Butter, melted

For brushing (optional but recommended)
1 Tablespoon - Butter, melted

Directions

1. To 1 3/4 Cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C) add yeast, and 2 1/2 tablespoon honey and keep it aside until the yeast becomes forthy. Less than 5 minutes
2. Mix the dry ingredients (2 1/2 cups white bread flour or all purpose flour, 1 3/4 cup wheat flour, chia seeds, wheat germ, ground flax seed sunflower seeds and salt) together. 
3. To a stand mixer or food processor and add the dry ingredients, the frothy yeast mixture and melted butter. Process until you get a dough ball. I had to add 2 tablespoons of water to get the right dough consistency. If you dont have a stand mixer or food processor you can use your hands to combine the ingredients.
4. Take the dough out and place it in a greased bowl. Coat the surface of the dough with oil. Cover the bowl with a wet towel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled.
5. Punch down the dough. Divide the dough into 2. Shape the dough into 15*3 inch rolls. Place in greased baking dish and make slits with a knife in a pattern of your choice. Allow to rise until dough has risen by one inch.
6. Preheat the oven at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and bake for 30 to 35 minutes; do not over bake. Lightly brush the tops of loaves with 1 tablespoons melted butter or margarine when done to prevent crust from getting hard. Cool completely and store it in an airtight container.

Notes and Tips

• This recipe was updated in June 2015
• The substitution for bread flour is an equal amount of All purpose flour (Maida). Bread flour is ideal for making yeast breads. Bread flour contains between 12 and 14 percent protein, whereas all-purpose flour only has between nine and 11 percent protein. Its higher protein content and gluten strength make it easier to create substantial breads. Bread flour is available in most grocery stores, but not all. If you can't find bread flour, use an unbleached all-purpose flour. Other flours can be used as well, but you may need more or less yeast and flour to create yeast breads.
• If you don't have the ingredients listed under the 'Multigrain Ingredients' you can skip it completely and the result would be a good whole wheat bread. But you might require a little more whole wheat flour.
• Lightly brush the tops of loaves with 1 tablespoons melted butter or margarine when done to prevent crust from getting hard.

*The nutritional information and health benefits are from various websites on the Internet.