HOMEMADE RYE BREAD

HOMEMADE RYE BREAD image

Categories Bread Bake Quick & Easy High Fiber

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

3 cups lukewarm water
1 teaspoon sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons yeast
1 1/2 tablespoons salt
1 1/2 tablespoons caraway seeds
1 cup rye flour
5 1/2 cups all purpose flour
Additional caraway seeds for sprinkling on top of loaf
Cornmeal for sprinkling underneath dough
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch for cornstarch wash

Steps:

1. Combine the warm water, sugar, yeast, salt and caraway seeds in a large mixing bowl and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Stir in both of the flours, but do not knead. After covering with a damp towel, allow the dough to rise at room temperature until doubled in size (approximately 2 hours). There will be enough dough to make 4 loaves. 2. Once it has rested, dust the surface of the dough with flour. Then cut off 1/4 of the dough, dust with flour, knead a few times to force out gas and redistribute the yeast, and roll into a ball. Elongate the ball to make an oval-shaped loaf. Dust another work surface (or baking pan) with cornmeal, place the loaf on top, and let rise for 40 minutes (or until doubled in size). Repeat to make all 4 loafs, or store the remaining dough in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. At this time, begin preheating your oven to 450 degrees F. 3. Now it's time to make a cornstarch wash. Combine the cornstarch with just enough water to make a nice paste. Then, add 1/2 cup of water, whisk, and place in the microwave for approximately 1 minute. Brush the wash across the top of the loaf and sprinkle with the additional caraway seeds. Using a serrated knife, make 4 shallow, parallel slashes in the top of the loaf. 4. You can bake this homemade rye bread on a baking sheet or hot stone. Place the loaf on the top shelf of your oven, and place a boiler tray on the lower shelf, just below the loaf. Add 1 cup of hot water to the boiler tray, and close the door. The water will help create a crispy crust. Bake for about 30 minutes. (You will be able to tell when the bread is baked if your thumping on the bottom of the loaf makes a hollow sound. If it sounds dull, it likely needs a few more minutes in the oven. Or, you could use a thermometer and remove bread from the oven when the internal temperature is 200 degrees F.) Allow the bread to cool on wire rack before cutting or eating.