Ingredients

  • 2 envelopes of dry yeast
  • 1 1/2 C warm water(105-115*F)
  • 2 C dark rye flour
  • 1/2C light molasses
  • 1 tbs caraway seeds
  • 2 tsp anise or fennel seeds
  • 2 tsp grated orange peel
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 8oz Harvarti or sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 3-3 1/2 C bread flour or unbleached all purpose flour

Method

  • Sprinkle yeast over warm water in large bowl;stir to dissolve. Let stand 5 minutes. Mix in rye flour,molasses,caraway,anise, orange peel and salt. Let stand 10 minutes. Stir in cheese. Add enough bread flour 1 cup at a time to form stiff dough. Turn out onto lightly floured surface.Cover let rest 10 min.
  • Knead dough until smooth, adding more flour if necessary to prevent sticking, about 10 min. Grease large bowl. add dough to bowl, turn to flat surface. Cover and let rise in warm draft-free area until doubled in volume, about 1 3/4 hr.
  • Lightly grease heavy large baking sheet. Punch dough down and knead on lightly oiled surface until smooth. Shape into 7 inch round loaf. Place on prepared sheet. cover and let rise in warm draft-free area until almost doubled in volume, about 45 min.
  • Preheat oven to 350*F. Brush loaf with water and sprinkle generously with bread flour. Slash top with knife tip in crisscross pattern. Bake until loaf sounds hollow when tapped on bottom, about 45 min. Let loaf cool on rack before serving.