It's the new year and eating healthy is probably on the top of the resolution list for many of us. Which is why I asked the BreadBakers group to come up with some 'healthy breads' for this month's event. I made this Whole wheat white bean bread and I think the name says it all. 
'Healthy' is a very subjective word and nowadays with the internet there is way too much information about everything. If you are looking for healthy food, 10 sites will give 10 different ideas for that. So it is really up to each and everyone of us to decide what we can and cannot eat.
As for me, being a vegetarian I am always looking for ways to add protein to my dishes. I was looking for recipes to add some protein right into the bread, so I can be sure that my kids are eating something healthy. This recipe is from Vegan Richa's blog. Only change I made is to add some whole wheat flour along with all purpose flour.
This bread is not a high riser, it was slightly dense but still soft from the mashed beans in it. It is great to eat toasted with some cream cheese or in a grilled cheese sandwich. I made a hummus and harissa sandwich and it was amazing.
Check out the Healthy Breads that our fellow Bread Bakers have baked this month:
- Amaranth Flatbread from Mayuri's Jikoni
- Beet Rye Bread from What Smells So Good?
- Blueberry Almond Bread from Cindy's Recipes and Writings
- Brain Booster Pancakes from A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Chocolate Banana Flax Almond Meal Muffins from Spill the Spices
- Eggless Whole Wheat Brioche Buns from Gayathri's Cook Spot
- Grain-free Nutty Carrot Flatbread from A Baker's House
- Healthier Applesauce Spice Bread from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
- Healthy Whole Grain Bread from The Bread She Bakes
- Honey Almond Brioche from Kidsandchic
- Honey Oatmeal Bread from Food Lust People Love
- Multigrain Pesto Swirl Bread from Herbivore Cucina
- Oatmeal Crispbread (Oatmeal Knäckebröd) from Baking Sense
- Organic Honey Whole Grain Bread from Hostess At Heart
- Quick Whole Wheat Bread from Ambrosia
- Spiced Besani Paratha from Sneha's Recipe
- Sprouted Wheat Bread from Palatable Pastime
- Sweet Potato Bread with Honey from The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Sweet Potato Millet Bread from The Schizo Chef
- Ten Grain No Knead Bread from Karen's Kitchen Stories
- Whole Wheat Carrot Apple Walnut Quickbread from A Salad For All Seasons
- Whole Wheat White Bean Bread from Cooks Hideout
#BreadBakers is a group of bread loving bakers who get together once a month to bake bread with a common ingredient or theme. You can see all our of lovely bread by following our Pinterest board right here. Links are also updated after each event on the #BreadBakers home page.
We take turns hosting each month and choosing the theme/ingredient.
If you are a food blogger and would like to join us, just send Stacy an email with your blog URL to [email protected]
Whole Wheat White Bean Bread
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup Cooked White Beans (like small white beans, cannellini, great Northern etc)
- 1 cup Warm Water
- 1 tbsp Instant Dry Yeast
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp Dried Italian Seasoning (or other dried herbs of choice)
- As needed Rolled Oats or Sesame seeds, for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients (except for the oats and sesame seeds) in a big bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix and knead till a smooth dough forms, about 7 minutes on the machine and 10 minutes by hand.
- Transfer into a lightly greased bowl, cover and set aside for 1~1½ hours or until the dough doubles in volume.
- Gently deflate the dough and form into a log. Place in a lightly greased 8½x"x4½" loaf pan. Cover loosely with greased plastic wrap and set aside to rise for 45minutes ~ 1 hour or until the dough crests 1" over the rim of the pan.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Brush the top of the bread with water and sprinkle the oats/ sesame seeds on top and press lightly.
- Bake for 30~35 minutes or until an instant read thermometer inserted into the center reads 190°F.
- Remove the bread from the oven onto a wire rack and cool completely.
Karen
I never thought about putting beans in bread, but then why not? It sounds delicious! Thanks so much for hosting this month.
Stacy
You say this bread is not a high riser, Pavani, but it looks like the perfect loaf to me. Full of protein and flavor! This would be great toasted to dip into tomato soup. Thank you so much for hosting this month!
Holly
What a beautiful loaf of bread! I never would have guessed that it held a cup of beans within. Thank you for organizing this month's Breadbakers, Pavani. Your time was much appreciated!
Namita
Hello Pavani, I want to let you know that you chose a wonderful theme for baking this month. It is a great idea to start the New Year with healthy bread. You bread looks beautiful. I am also a vegetarian and would love to add local beans to my loaf. It is a wonderful idea.
Cindy's Recipes and Writings
I'm intrigued by the beans in here. I must try this bread! Thanks for hosting Pavani!
sneha datar
A healthy and nutritious bread.. its has a lovely crust too. Thank you for hosting this month event.
[email protected]
I always love how you experiment with breads. This one is just as great as all the other breads you got us in previous editions. Besides, thanks for being such a wonderful host and coming up with this wonderful theme Pavani!
Julie
I bet this bread would be delicious toasted and a little cream cheese would be amazing!
Sarah Reid, CNP (@jo_jo_ba)
I have GOT to get into the kitchen and make this!
rocio
Fantastic bread Pavani
Wendy
I like the idea of adding beans to a bread. Great share Pavani, thanks again for hosting.
Nadji
Un pain réussi. Bravo!!!!
Chef Mireille
what a healthy and delicious looking bread
Ashley Woodward
This looks so amazingly delicious! I must try this as soon as possible! Thank you for sharing!