DARK RYE BREAD

Our brand new Bulk Foods store opened on the weekend...oh me oh my! I was like a kid in a candy store...well I guess I really was! In my glory as I walked all the freshly scrubbed aisles. Barrels of chocolate, nuts and grains....ohhh where do I start?! Focus...time to check the list....I was on a mission...ingredients for dark rye bread.

This was a fabulously easy recipe and we will definitely give it another go.

In a very big bowl add:
3 cups of flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 pkg yeast
1 Tbsp caraway seeds
1 Tbsp salt

In a medium sized pot, warm the following:

1/3 cup molasses

2 Tbsp butter

1 Tbsp sugar

2 Tbsp oil

2 cups water

Add the warmed mixture to the dry ingredients.

Beat on low for 2 minutes.

Beat on high for 3 minutes.

Add 3 1/2 cups of rye flour by hand.

Knead, shape into loaf, cover and let it rest for 20 minutes.

Punch down.

Divide and shape into 2 round loaves.

Place on greased sheet.

Brush with oil.

Slash the tops.

Cover and let rise for an hour.

Bake at 400 for 25 - 30 minutes.

For a first try - it was great! I'm sure we'll get to tweaking it over time, but it was still deliciously hearty with a big bowl of soup!

So let me slice you some while we dream about our next adventure to the Bulk Foods Store! Pass the butter....