German Style Grey Bread Rye Wheat Mix Graubrot Food

AUTHENTIC GERMAN BREAD (BAUERNBROT)

Steps:

• First, make the sourdough starter. Crumble the yeast into a large bowl. Whisk in 1 quart of warm water and 2 tablespoons of sugar until dissolved. The water should be just slightly warmer than body temperature. Gradually whisk in 4 cups of flour, continuing to mix until all lumps are gone. Cover with a dish towel, and let sit for 24 hours at room temperature.
• After 24 hours, stir well, cover, and let stand another 24 hours. It will be a thin, light-colored sourdough which is then ready to use.
• In a large bowl, stir together the rye flour, remaining 4 cups of all-purpose flour, salt and sugar. Mix in the sourdough starter using a wooden spoon, then stir in 2 cups of warm water. I transfer the dough to a heavy-duty stand mixer to mix the first couple of minutes, then it can't handle the heavy dough and I start using my hands by turning the dough out onto a floured surface. A clean countertop works best. Knead the dough, adding a few tablespoons of water at a time if it is too stiff. Fold the dough over, pull it apart, whatever you can do to get it kneaded up good. Total kneading time should be 15 to 20 minutes to get a smooth dough. Place the dough in a large bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled, 1 to 2 hours.
• When the dough has risen, scrape it out of the bowl and back onto a floured surface. Knead for about 5 minutes. This is important to activate the gluten. Shape into 1 or 2 long loaves. Place on baking sheets, and let rise for about 1 hour, or until your finger leaves an impression when you poke the bread gently.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Bake the bread for about 45 minutes for 2 loaves, 1 1/2 hours if you made one big loaf. Don't worry if the crust is dark. The bread will be delicious and so will the crust. Cool completely before cutting. I always freeze half.

HOMEMADE RYE BREAD

Steps:

• Let the loaves rise: Let the bread rise again, this time not doubling in volume, but rising by about half of its volume, about 30 to 45 minutes, half as long as the first rising. The dough should be peeking over the top of the loaf pan if using a loaf pan.
• Heat the oven: If you are using a baking stone, place the stone in the oven. Preheat oven to 350°F for at least half an hour before baking.

BROTCHEN (GERMAN ROLLS)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Pour 2 1/2 cups flour into a large bowl and form a well in the center.
• In a separate container, mix yeast, sugar, and two tablespoons water (water comes from the 1 cup above).
• Pour yeast mixture into the well but do not mix with the flour at this time.
• Cover bowl with a cloth and set it in a warm place for 15 minutes to rise.
• Add remaining water and oil and beat until mixed. Add SALT.
• Turn dough out onto counter and knead until smooth. Adding remaining 1/2 cup flour as needed.
• Put dough in bowl, cover and let rise until double in size. (about 30-40 minutes).
• Punch down and divide dough into 12 parts.
• Shape into oval rolls and place 3" apart on greased and floured cookie sheet.
• Cover and let rise until double in size.
• Beat egg white and 1 tsp water with a fork until frothy and brush onto rolls.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
• The time is an estimate, depending on how fast your dough rises.

GERMAN STYLE GREY BREAD (RYE-WHEAT MIX) GRAUBROT

Steps:

• 1.) In large bowl, combine 2 teaspoons of yeast, 1 1/2 tbs of brown sugar (or 2 tbs of Molasses instead) with 1 of cup of warm water and 10 OZ of beer (105F -115F to activate yeast) Mix slowly and let sit for 5 minutes.
• 2.) Add the rye flour and Caraway seeds, mix in with a wooden spoon
• 3.) Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let it sit for 2 to 3 hours.
• 4.) Add salt, whole wheat flour and bread flour. Mix in with a wooden spoon.
• 5.) Knead the dough for 7-10 minutes. If sticky, add some flour, or if too dry add some water. (Rye dough will always be stickier than white bread though).
• 6.) Grease a bowl with oil and place dough in bowl. Cover with plastic wrap. Let it sit until doubled. About 45 minutes. Preheat oven to 425°F
• 7.) Prepare pan by oiling it and sprinkle some corn meal. It helps to avoid the bread getting burned at the bottom.
• 8.) Punch down dough and shape into two breads and place into greased pans.
• 9.) Slash top of the bread about 1/5 inch deep. Let the bread sit for 5 minutes.
• 10.) Place dough in oven at 425 (oven has to be preheated) ( optional sprinkle on some water to get steam going every 10 minutes). Bake for 35-45 minutes. Knock on the bread; if it sounds hollow it is done. A cup of water in the oven also helps to keep the bread moist, something you want with Rye bread.
• 11.) Place bread on wire rack and let it cool down.

GERMAN RYE BREAD

Steps:

• In a 4-qt. glass bowl, dissolve yeast in 2 cups warm water; whisk in rye flour until smooth. Cover loosely with a clean kitchen towel. Let stand in a warm place for about 4 hours or until batter falls about 1 in. and surface bubble activity is reduced. Stir in the sugar, caraway seeds, salt, 5 cups all-purpose flour and remaining water; mix well. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a firm dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes., Divide dough into four portions. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes. Shape into four round loaves, about 6 in. each. Coat two baking sheets with cooking spray; sprinkle each with 1 teaspoon cornmeal. Place loaves on pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes., With a sharp knife, make several slashes across the top of each loaf. Brush with egg. Sprinkle each loaf with 1 teaspoon caraway seeds. Bake at 400° for 30-35 minutes, rotating pans after 15 minutes, or until browned. Cool on wire racks.

GERMAN RYE BREAD WITH CARAWAY SEEDS

Steps:

• Place 8oz of the rye flour and the yeast in a large mixing bowl. Add around 3/4 cup of tepid water and mix it thoroughly to make a thick batter
• Set the dough aside to rest for around 2 hours, until the batter has risen and then fallen.
• Add the remaining flour, remaining tepid water, salt, malt extract, butter and caraway seeds and mix together making a pliable dough.
• Dust the inside of a rye loaf basket with flour. Shape the dough into a loaf and place in the basket. Set aside to rise for 2 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 425°F
• Place the risen loaf on a baking tray lined with baking parchment. Dust lightly with rye flour and bake for 30 minutes.