As Close As I Can Get To Grandma's Rye Bread

Yield: 2 loaves

Ingredients:

2 packages yeast
2 1/2 cups flour

2 cups water
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon shortening
1 teaspoon salt

2 1/2 cups rye flour
1/2 cup flour

Instructions:

1. In a large mixer combine yeast and flour

2. In a saucepan heat just until warm, stirring constantly to melt shortening the water, sugar, shortening, and salt.

3. Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients in the mixing bow.  Beat at low speed with electric mixwer for 30 seconds, scraping the side of the bowl constantly.  Then beat for 3 minutes at high speed.

4. By hand stir in the flours to make a moderately stiff dough.

5. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead till smooth and elastic.  Shape into ball. Place in greased bowl, turning once.  Cover and let rise in warm place till double (about 1 1/2 hours). 

6. Punch down.  Divide in half.  Cover; let rest 10 minutes.  

7. Shape in two round loaves and place on two greased baking sheets.  Cover and let rise till double (about 40 minutes). 

8. Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes.  Cover with foil last 15 minutes if over-browning occurs.  Remove from sheets; cool.