Not gonna lie – the first time someone told me to eat ezekiel bread I was like ummm no you can keep your weird bread thanks! So I headed off in search of a “clean” bread option and after reading what seemed like 100’s of labels I could not find anything that met my standards. It was almost impossible to find a bread without sugar added (albeit organic sugar but sugar is sugar) or canola oil or some sort of preservative or only 10% whole wheat and the rest refined wheat.
Still not convinced, I turned to my trusty bread machine to make it myself. Which turned out fabulous I must admit. I could control the ingredients and it was very cheap & easy to do. Plus, what smells better than fresh bread right? Buuut that got old fast. So after a rather humorous attempt to DIY whole wheat pita, I decided to throw in the towel and try something new.
What is Ezekiel Bread? A Bread Lovers Dream come True!
Ezekiel bread is made from organic, sprouted whole grains. The sprouting process changes the nutrient composition of the grains significantly. In contrast to most commercial breads, which consist primarily of refined wheat or pulverized whole wheat and SUGAR, Ezekiel bread contains several different types of grains and legumes:
- 4 types of cereal grains: Wheat, Millet, Barley and Spelt.
- 2 types of legumes: Soybeans and Lentils.
All the grains and all the legumes are organically grown (no GMOs) and allowed to sprout before they are processed, mixed together and baked to produce the final product.
Bagels and English Muffins and Pita! Oh My!
My first time experimenting with Ezekiel Products I bought the works – bread, bagels, pita, tortillas, english muffins, everything! Here’s my personal opinion on each:
- Bread must be toasted! But not over toasted. Perfect warm and a little golden. The cinnamon raisin is delicious and my kid’s favorite too – they use it for PBJ Sandwiches almost everyday.
- Bagels are awesome! Thick and chewy just like you’d expect. Really good for egg sandwiches!
- Pita is another favorite. Can be a little delicate but they have a great texture and are perfect for sandwiches
- Tortillas – ehh. They fall apart really easily and have a cardboard-like texture when toasted for something like a quesadilla. Best in the microwave for 10-12 second just to warm it up.
- English Muffins are my absolute favorite! I love all the flavors and eat one almost everyday. Thick and even chewier than the bagel. It really satisfies that carb craving but is low on calories and high on protein. These are a MUST have in my opinion!
Daily Uses for all my Bread Lovers!
Now years later, I can’t even remember the last time I had sliced bread and really don’t miss it. Such an easy swap out to get the bread fix you want without the crap found in commercial products. So next time you’re in the freezer section grab some of that funny sounding bread and give it a try! Your waistline will thank you!
Here are some ideas on how to use ezekiel beyond a typical sandwich:
- Croutons – I eat a lot of salads so it was a big deal for me to have that crunch. I take one half of an english muffin, cut in into cubes, spray with extra virgin olive oil and toss with italian seasoning & garlic powder then pop into toaster oven until browned and crunchy
- Bread Crumbs – Toast full slices of bread and allow to cool then pulverize in the food processor until bread crumb consistency is reached. Great for meatballs or meatloaf. Try adding almonds into the food processor and using that mixture too bread chicken – nutty and crunchy!
- French Toast – this is DELICIOUS! And a staple in our house! Whisk together eggs, cinnamon and almond milk then dip cinnamon raisin ezekiel bread into the mixture and allow to soak for a couple minutes. Spray griddle with non-stick spray and toast until golden on each side. Serve with REAL maple syrup or RAW honey and fresh berries. SO GOOD!
- Chips – Split pita in half and cut into strips. Spray with extra virgin olive oil and toss with seasoning of choice then bake until crisp. Adds great crunch to salads or soups or even dip into guacamole!
- Pizza – make your own thin crust pizza on tortilla or pita or use a bagel or english muffin for a thick crust. Get your kids involved with this one – put out chicken, veggies, sauce and chesse (my favorites are feta & romano) then let them add the works!
Eat Clean,
Cortney
PS – BUDGET SAVING TIP! Check out the Target Simply Balanced Brand of Sprouted Grain Bread for $2.99 per loaf (price at the Huntersville, NC Target). There are not as many flavor options available but it is a great budget-friendly choice!
