Bread From Anna: Gluten Free, Soy & Rice Free

So I again gave a stab at preparing Breads from Anna's gluten free, soy free and rice free bread mix. This time I used a BreadMan bread machine and awaited the results. From start to finish it took about 5 hours to create. Following the directions exactly, I did as was told and filled the baking tray with warm water, eggs, apple cider vinegar, and olive oil. The recipe said to use 2 large eggs and 1 large egg white - measuring between 2/3 and 3/4 cup. I thought my eggs were large, but they clearly didn't reach the 2/3 cup point- so I did add an additional egg.

Lastly I didn't trust the enclosed yeast pack- you never know how long those packages are waiting around for consumption. Instead I used my own package of yeast- freshly purchased and I sprinkled it on top of the mix. Okay - so perhaps I didn't follow the directions exactly.

I then instructed the BreadMan to create a quick wheat, dark crust loaf (or rather it instructed me) and voila- what eventually emerged was a bread that was lumpy on top but otherwise looked pretty bread-like. It smelled good- but not phenomenal like a bakery or anything.

As I had spent most of the snowy morning snacking, I had plenty of will power to not dive right in and cut a slice. I actually allowed it to cool! When the loaf had rested for a while, I took the plunge and cut a hefty portion. It felt weighty and substantial- but maybe a bit too moist. I figured a toast in the toaster wouldn't hurt. I buttered the hot slice and took a bite. Yes it was dense and didn't taste too bad. I think I was underwhelmed mainly because it seemed to have a strong gluten-free flour taste to it- which I theorize derives from all the bean flours.

So my original complaints about this bread remain- it's too heavy, with too strong of a bean flavor. But all is not lost- Rob certainly enjoyed having a slice of buttered bread- and I didn't really mind either!

Ingredients:
Cornstarch, tapioca flour, powdered skim milk, chickpea flour, pinto bean flour, navy bean flour, sorghum flour, Montina flour (perennial bunch grass, achnatherum hymenoides), maple sugar, xanthan gum, salt and yeast.

Nutrition Facts:
Serving size: 28 g
Servings per container: about 20
Calories: 90
Calories from fat: 0
Sat. fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 180 mg
Total carb: 22 g
Dietary fiber: 3 g
Sugars: 3 g
Protein: 3 g

Bread: Breads From Anna Gluten Free Bread Mix

Breads From Anna is a gluten free, yeast free, corn free, dairy free, soy free and rice free bread mix. With so many seemingly missing ingredients, one might wonder if it is taste-free! Though this bread did take a bit of getting used to, it had far more flavor than expected.

With this mix, I combined 2 tablespoons oil, 1-1/2 cups milk (recipe calls for soy, rice or nut milk), 2 large eggs, 1 large egg white in the mixer. I blended the wet ingredients first, then added the dry ingredients- again trying very hard not to over mix. I placed the batter into a greased and lightly dusted (rice flour) loaf pan and popped in a pre heated oven for 70 minutes at 375 degrees.

What emerged was truly a satisfyingly dense loaf that was browned all over- but nearly obscenely heavy. I cut thick slices, added some butter and apricot jam and voila- except the bread wasn’t quite as light and airy as expected. It also had a rather yeasty- or rather a bean-like flavor- which is not surprising since it is comprised of chickpea, pinto, and navy bean flours. It really did resemble much more of a bean loaf rather than a soft spongy white bread. This is a truly hearty loaf! By day 2, though, the bread had taken on a bit more flavor if that makes sense, and after heating in the toaster and adding some cream cheese, it tasted quite good for breakfast.

In sum, this isn’t bread for the faint of heart, and probably would not make the best gluten free sandwiches, but it will certainly get you up and at ‘em in the morning!

Ingredients:

Tapioca flour, arrowroot, chickpea flour, pinto bean flour, navy bean flour, potato starch, millet, Montina (perennial bunch grass and achnatherum hymenoides), crystallized honey, xanthan gum, salt, cream of tartar and baking soda.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 43 g

Servings Per Container: 12-14

Calories: 140

Calories from fat: 5

Total fat: 0 g

Sat. fat: 0 g

Cholesterol: 0 mg

Sodium: 530 mg

Total Carb: 32 g

Dietary fiber: 2 g

Sugars: 3 g

Protein: 2 g