1. Grains
I purchase all of my grains from Bread Beckers. Whole Foods does carry many of these grains, but I have found it to be more cost efficient (and better quality!) to purchase in bulk from Bread Beckers. Since I use a combination of the Hard Red and Hard White Wheat for my breads, I buy the largest size (6 gallon/45 pound bucket) available for each of these (and I usually purchase the organic). Please note that each cup of grain, yields approximately one and a half cups of flour.
- Hard Red Wheat : This wheat has your traditional nuttier flavor and is great for making breads since it has a high gluten content which is required proper rising of a yeast bread. The 6 gallon bucket of organic runs $35.65 (non-organic is $31.52) This huge pail lasts for several months and I just store it in my pantry where my kids have found they make great stools to climb on to reach hidden treats :) I use the Hard Red for 2/3 of what goes into my loaves of bread and also occasionally for muffins or pizza dough. You will want to purchase a gamma seal lid for your wheat buckets (one time purchase) to make storage and access much easier. I have a red one for my "red" wheat and a white one for my "white" wheat.
- Hard White Wheat : The flavor of the hard white is more mild than the hard red and sometimes referred to as white wheat. This wheat also has the higher gluten content making it a great choice for yeast breads. The 6 gallon bucket of organic runs $36.70 (non-organic is $33.13). I use 1/3 of the Hard White in my bread. You can really use any combination of a variety of grains by experimenting. I also sometimes do a 1/3 spelt, 1/3 hard red, and 1/3 hard white.
- Soft White Wheat: Because of it's high moisture content and low gluten content, this wheat is used for baking cookies, cakes, pastry, etc. It's known as a pastry flour and makes excellent pie crusts and cookies! You can also use the hard white or hard red for cookies. The soft white just can't be used for any yeast breads. Since I don't go through a high volume of this grain, I purchase it in the smaller, 1 gallon/7 pound pail (organic) for $15.94.
- Spelt: This is ancient grain with a similar nutty flavor to the hard red wheat. I don't use as much of this grain, so purchase it in the 1 gallon/7 pound pail (organic) for $24.90. I love the flavor, but since it is pricier, I don't use as much of it. Some people with intolerance to wheat tend to tolerate spelt. Because it has a lower and more fragile gluten content, you don't get as good of a rise from your bread when using it.
- Kamut: I have just recently started using this ancient grain for dinner rolls and just love it's sweeter, buttery taste! It has higher protein content than regular wheat and like spelt, it is also tolerated by some who have sensitives to wheat. It is a bit pricier than the regular wheat, but I love it so much that I went ahead and bought the 6 gallon bucket for $47.79, but you can always start off with the 1 gallon pail for $18.18
- Ezekiel Blend: The is a mix of both beans and grains that make a complete protein. One bag at $4/ bag contains 2 1/2 cups hard red wheat, 1 1/2 cups spelt, 1/2 cup hulled barley, 1/4 cup millet, 1/4 cup green lentils, 2 Tbs. great northern beans, 2 Tbs. red kidney beans and 2 Tbs. pinto beans. You could buy each of these individually and then mix up your own Ezekiel blend, as I have done this in the past. Only I find it much easier to just buy several of these pre-mixed bags from Bread Beckers. We are talking some serious nutrition (and fiber!) from this combo! I use this blend for all of my pancakes and muffins. I promise your children will not have a clue!
- Millet: I use the millet in my mini-muffins for extra crunch and only use 1/4 cup per batch of muffins, so I typically buy the millet either in bulk at Whole Foods or in the 2 pound baggies from Bread Beckers for $5.32
2. Honey: While Bread Beckers does sell honey and a high-quality (1 gallon/12 pounds for $44.28), I tend to purchase most of my honey from Costco. They carry an 80 oz./5 lb bottle for around $11. It's not raw or unpasteurized honey (like Bread Beckers carries) but it's a great value and seems to work great for my breads. The zoji bread recipes calls for 1/4 cup of honey per loaf. Each batch of muffins calls for 1/2 cup or honey. You can also use Sucanat (evaporated cane sugar juice) in the muffins or bread, but I think the honey provides the best flavor and texture. I do purchase the Sucanat in the 1 gallon/6 pound pail for $9.22 and use it exclusively for my cookies and other sugar substitutions. You can also use Sucanat with Honey which gives you something more similar to white sugar (where regular Sucanet is a healthier alternative to brown sugar). The Cookie recipe actually calls for both, but I have always used all Sucanat and been pleased with my results.
3. Olive Oil: I also purchase my extra virgin olive oil (for use in bread, muffins and pancakes) at Costco for $10 for a 2 liter bottle.
4. Sea Salt: This is really a personal preference, but once again, I prefer a Costco brand I get for a few dollars. I've also been pleased with the Natural Sea Salt I've purchased at Bread Beckers. It's such a low cost ingredient that I really don't over think this one too much.
5. Lecithin This is an emulsifier and is an optional ingredient in your breads. It helps to give your bread a softer, smoother texture which more closely resembles a store bought bread. I purchase it at Bread Beckers in the 1 pound bags for $6.86. I use 2 Tbs. per loaf of bread, so I usually buy a few bags at a time to hold me over. (store in refrigerator)
6. Gluten: As recommended by Bread Beckers, I use a small amount (1 tsp.) of gluten in my bread to help it rise and also contribute to a softer texture. A 1 pound bag at $5.59 will last you for a very long time. (store in refrigerator)
7. Yeast: Each loaf of bread calls for 1 Tbs. of yeast. I purchase the 1 pound bag for $5.24 from Bread Beckers and store it in the freezer to maintain freshness.
8. Bread Bags: If you are using the Zoji bread maker, you are making 2 lb. loafs of breads and will require a bakery size bag for storage. Bread Beckers sells a "Country Style Bread Bag" that is large enough and completely functional, but was still a bit too "country" for me.
I searched the internet high and low for a clear bag that I could use daily and occasionally add a cute label and bow for when I was "gifting" it to a friend or neighbor. I found exactly what I was looking for on amazon (50 bags for $6.95) and on king arthur (100 for $15.95)
Here's a picture of the clear bags and how you can fancy them up for a gift with a simple label and bow!
These are the staples I always purchase in bulk from Costco.
