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
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
