Gray bread for everyday
Description
Baking is prepared simply and quickly. To make the gray bread appetizing and aromatic, rye flour should be twice as much as top‑grade wheat flour. If desired, you can add caraway seeds, various spices and seasonings. Dough made with rye flour rises a little longer, but this only enhances the flavor of the baked goods. Serve the bread at the table after it has cooled — it will slice evenly and beautifully.
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
Prepare the listed ingredients. Premium wheat flour must be added, as it contains gluten. Rye flour does not have it. You can replace the sugar with floral honey, and also add a little malt if you have any on hand.
- 2
Step 2
In a deep container, dissolve the fresh yeast in warm (no more than 30 °C) water. Add sugar, salt and stir until fully dissolved.
- 3
Step 3
Add one third wheat flour and one third rye flour and mix thoroughly. It's better to do this with a whisk.
- 4
Step 4
You should end up with a viscous mass — a pre-ferment. Cover it with a towel or plastic wrap and leave it in a warm place to rise for 1 hour. It may take less time — it all depends on the quality of the yeast.
- 5
Step 5
After the specified time, the starter will be completely covered with bubbles — that's an excellent result. Wait until they burst.
- 6
Step 6
Add the remaining rye and wheat flour in portions, kneading a thick dough.
- 7
Step 7
The dough will not be dense, but will turn out thick. I recommend tasting it, as it often lacks enough salt. If necessary — add salt and mix.
- 8
Step 8
Grease the bread pan with vegetable oil and place the dough in it. Cover with a towel and let it sit for 1 hour at room temperature. The dough will rise; then sprinkle wheat flour on top, but this is optional.
- 9
Step 9
Preheat the oven to 220 °C and place a tray with hot water on the bottom. Place the dough in the pan on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Then reduce the heat to 180 °C and bake the bread for another 30–40 minutes until it is springy. Check the bake in the middle with a wooden skewer—it should come out dry. If the crust is browned but the center is not yet fully baked, cover the bread with parchment paper and finish baking. After that, remove it from the pan and let it cool.
- 10
Step 10
Slice the cooled bread into slices and serve it at the table. Enjoy your meal!