2 c Water 1 1/2 pk Active dry yeast
4 tb Butter (or margarine) 3/4 c Warm water
4 tb Sugar (or 2 packets Sweet & 4 1/2 c Rye flour
-low) 4 c All-purpose flour
3 ts Salt
Heat the water in a small saucepan. place the butter, sugar, and salt
in a large bowl. Pour the hot water over these ingredients, and stir
briefly. Cool to lukewarm. Sprinkle the yeast into a small bowl, mix
with 1/2 cup of lukewarm water, and set aside for 5 minutes. When the
yeast has softened, stir it into the water, butter and sugar mixture.
Using a wooden spoon, beat in the rye flour. When the flour has been
fully incorporated, mix in 2 cups of the all-purpose flour. Stir
until both flours are well blended. Sprinkle a pastry board with 1/2
cup of all-purpose flour. Work this flour into the dough by kneading
for 8 to 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and shiny. If the dough
seems sticky, add more flour. Grease a large bowl and set the dough
in it. coat the top surface lightly with melted butter. Cover with a
linen towel that has been slightly moistened with water and squeezed
out. Set the bread bowl in a warm, draft-free place and allow the
dough to rise until it is just about double in size (about 1 hour).
Punch the dough down. Turn out on a pastry board and knead for 3 or 4
minutes. Divide into 2 equal portions and roll each portion into a
ball. Grease a baking sheet lightly. Set the balls of dough on it and
flatten them with your hands to 1-inch thickness. Allow them to rise,
covered, until nearly double (about 45 minutes). Preheat the oven to
400 degrees F. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes to a golden brown. Remove
from baking sheet and cool on a wire rack. To serve in the
traditional Finnish way, cut in wedges and spread thickly with butter.
From the New York Times Bread and Soup Cookbook
MM format courtesy Mary Riemerman
Yields
2 loaves