 | | Directions |
- In a large bowl, mix 1/2 cup warm water and 1/2 teaspoon sugar. Sprinkle with 2 packets dry yeast and let stand until foamy, about 10 minutes.
- Add remaining water and 1 cup wheat flour to yeast mixture. Mix vigorously for several minutes, then let stand while preparing remaining ingredients.
- Crush anise seed slightly, to release flavor. Grate orange peel. Mix rye flour, remaining wheat flour, and salt. Set aside.
- Add molasses, sugar, shortening or oil, orange zest, and anise seed to yeast mixture. Mix in well and begin adding flour mixture, about 1/2 cup at a time, mixing after each addition.
- Flour a work surface and scrape dough onto it. (If dough is too sticky to handle, mix in another 1/4 cup flour). Knead dough for at least 5 minutes, flouring work surface as necessary. Use the smallest amount of flour possible, since dough shouldn't be dry.
- Put kneaded dough in a bowl about twice as big as the dough ball. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until about 1 1/2 times original size. This may take an hour or more, depending on temperature.
- Punch dough down by pressing your fist into it in several places, turn dough over in bowl, and let rise again for about an hour.
- Remove from bowl, divide in half and form into flattened rounds about 7 inches across. Dust a baking sheet or stone with cornmeal (be generous with the cornmeal) and put the loaves on the sheet with several inches between them. With a razor blade or very sharp knife, make 3 slits across the surface of each loaf. Cover and let rise until almost doubled..
- Preheat oven to 375° F. Bake loaves until they sound hollow when tapped on the bottom, about 35 minutes.
- When done, remove from pan and cool on a rack.
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Prep Time: 4 hours
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Container: mixing bowl, baking sheet or stone
Servings: 20
|  | | Ingredients | | - | | 2 packets dry yeast, or 4 teaspoons |
| - | | 2 cups water, divided |
| - | | 1/2 teaspoon sugar |
| - | | 2 cups rye flour, preferably dark |
| - | | 3 cups wheat flour, plus more as needed (white, whole grain, or a mixture) |
| - | | 1 tablespoon anise seed |
| - | | 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or other shortening |
| - | | 1 tablespoon salt |
| - | | 1/4 cup molasses |
| - | | 1/4 cup sugar |
| - | | 2 tablespoons freshly grated orange zest |
| - | | cornmeal, for dusting baking pan |
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