Yogurt Rye Bread

Serves:

Ingredients:

1 1/2 c Warm water
2 pk Dry yeast
1 c Plain yogurt
1/4 c 9-grain cereal
1 c Bran flakes
1 1/2 ts Salt
4 tb Butter; softened
1 c Rye flour
2 1/2 c All-purpose flour (Or more)
1 tb Fennel seeds
2 tb Cornmeal
--------- GLAZE ---------
1 Egg yolk; mixed with
1 tb Water
--------- GLAZE ---------

Method:

IN A LARGE MIXING BOWL, stir the warm water and yeast together, and let stand for a minute or so to dissolve.
Stir in the yogurt, 9-grain cereal, bran flakes, salt, butter, rye flour and 1 1/2 cups of the all-purpose flour.
Beat vigorously until well blended.
Add enough all-purpose flour to make a manageable dough, then turn out onto a lightly floured surface.
Knead for a few minutes, then let rest for 10 minutes.
Resume kneading for a good 10 minutes, until the dough is elastic, sprinkling on a little more all-purpose flour as necessary to keep it from being too sticky.
Knead in the fennel seeds.
Place in a large greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a clean damp cloth, and let rise until double in bulk.
Punch the dough down and divide into 3 equal parts.
Roll each piece into a long round strand about 3/4-inch thick, making them all the same length.
Pinch the strands together at one end, and braid.
When you've finished braiding, pinch both ends together firmly and tuck them under a bit, to give the loaf a neat look.
Transfer to a baking sheet that's been sprinkled with the cornmeal, cover loosely, and let rise again until double in bulk.
Brush with the egg-yolk mixture, and bake in a preheated 350F oven for 45 minutes.
Remove from the sheet and cool on a rack.
Makes 1 Loaf