SAUERKRAUT RYE BREAD (SUGAR FREE)

Steps:

• SPONGE (6-18 hours in advance): In a large bowl, mix 2 cups of rye flour, yeast and 1 1/2 cups of water until smooth.
• Cover with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature for at least 6 but no more than 18 hours (the mixture rises and falls as it ferments but should appear as a soft doughy mass when ready).
• Add sauerkraut, 1/2 cup warm water, shortening, caraway seeds, salt and 1 cup of rye flour; mix well with wooden spoon.
• Gradually stir in 3 cups of the unbleached flour to make a stiff dough (the dough will be quite sticky at first, becoming smoother and more elastic as flour is added in next steps).
• Turn dough out onto floured surface and knead for 10 minutes, adding enough of the remaining flour to keep dough from sticking.
• Knead until smooth, elastic and no longer sticky.
• Place dough in large clean bowl; cover and let rise in a warm place until almost tripled in volume (1 1/2 to 2 hours).
• Punch dough down; divide in half.
• Knead each piece a few times, then shape into smooth round or oval loaves.
• Place each loaf on a greased cookie sheet; cover loosely with a towel and let rise until almost double in volume (about 50 minutes).
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Brush top and sides of loaves with the beaten egg white.
• Make 3 to 4 slashes, 1/2-inch deep, on surface of loaves with a very sharp knife.
• Bake on middle rack in oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until crust is golden brown and loaves sound hollow when tapped.
• Slide onto cooling rack.
• Can be served slightly warm or completely cooled.