Four-Grain Bread

This is a recipe on allrecipes.com submitted by John Reed.  It makes excellent sandwich bread and if I plan well enough in advance I try to set up the bread machine to have the toasty hot bread ready with dinner.  The aroma of hot baked bread in the house is always welcome!

Makes about 24 slices.

Ingredients:

  - 1 1/2 c water (70 to 80 degrees - warm tap water)

  - 1/2 c honey (unfiltered and local if you can find it)

  - 1 1/2 tsp salt

  - 2 c organic bread flour

  - 1 c organic whole wheat flour
  - 3/4 c organic rye flour
  - 3/4 c organic cornmeal
  - 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast or one packet

In bread machine place all the dry ingredients, except for the salt, and mix with a fork so the different flours are evenly distributed.  Pour in the wet ingredients and start the machine on the basic bread setting with desired crust.  After the dough has started to mix add the salt - salt is an inhibitor to the yeast and the bread may not rise properly if salt and yeast are mixed together in the beginning.  If dough looks a little dry after mixing, add a tbsp or so of water.  Wait until machine has finished and enjoy!

- You definitely need a good bread knife when making homemade bread - it has a tendency to crumble or squish if you have a dull blade.