European Recipes :Finnish Recipes : Joululimppa(Finnish Holiday Rye Bread)

* Exported from MasterCook *

                  JOULULIMPPA (FINNISH HOLIDAY RYE BREAD)

Recipe By     :
Serving Size : 6    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Breads                           Ethnic

   Amount Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
    2       c            Buttermilk
      1/2   c            Molasses
      1/4   c            Butter or margarine
    2       ts           Salt
    1       t            Fennel seeds
    1       t            Caraway seeds
    2       tb           Dry yeast
      1/2   c            Warm water
                         Grated rind of 1 orange
    1       c            Rye flakes or wheat germ
    2       c            Dark or light rye flour
    3 1/2                To 4 1/2 cups uncleached
                         -white or whole wheat flour
                         Glaze:
    1       tb           Molasses
    2       tb           Water

   Similar to Swedish rye. Can be toasted.

   Heat the buttermilk, molasses, butter or margarine, salt, fennel seeds, and
   caraway seeds until the butter melts. Set aside to cool.

   Dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Let it stand for 5 minutes until the
   yeast bubbles. ((My comment: whisk in some flour and molasses to nourish
   the yeast.)) Add the yeast to the cooled buttermilk mixture along with the
   grated orange rind, rye flakes or wheat germ, and rye flour. Beat well
   until smooth. Add 3 to 3 1/2 cups of wheat flour, stirring in a cup at a
   time, until the dough will not readily absorb more flour. The dough will
   be rough.

   Flour a work surface with the remaining wheat flour and turn the dough out
   onto it. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for 15 minutes.
   (The gluten in rye is more fragile than in wheat. It needs a resting time
   to recuperate and reform and does not require as vigorous or lengthy a
   kneading).

   Gently knead the dough for 5 to 10 minutes until smooth. Form the dough
   into a ball and place it in a large buttered bowl or pot, turning it to
   coat all sides with butter. Cover it and let it rise, in a warm spot,
   until doubled in size, about an hour.

   Punch down the dough and gently knead it for one minute. Form the dough
   into three round loaves and place in lightly buttered 9-inch cake pans or
   on buttered baking sheets. Cover and let rise until almost doubled in
   size, 45 minutes to an hour.

   Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Combine the water and molasses, brush the
   tops with half of this mixture to glaze. Then lightly pierce the loaves all
   over with a fork.

   Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until the bread sopunds hollow when tapped on
   the bottom. While the bread is hot, brush it with the remaining glaze.
   Remove the loaves from the pans and cool on racks.

   Yields 3 loaves.