Name: Sourdough Onion-Potato Rye Bread with Caraway
Yield: 3 loaves
Cuisine: Bread
Ingredients: 2-1/2 cups rye flour, divided; 1/3 teaspoon dry yeast; 2-1/2 cups warm water, divided; 1 tablespoon caraway seeds, crushed or ground in a coffee grinder; 1/2 medium onion, minced; 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided; 1/2 medium onion, minced; 2 teaspoons caraway seeds; 2 teaspoons olive oil; Dash of salt; 2 medium potatoes (1 cup mashed); 2 packages (2 tablespoons) dry yeast; 6 cups all-purpose flour, divided; 1-1/2 tablespoons salt; 4 to 5 tablespoons caraway seeds; cornmeal or vegetable cooking spray; 1/4 cup cold water; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 1 cup boiling water

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Paul was a member of the Poughkeepsie Police Department for 35 years, during which time he never baked. After retiring, he took an adult education course in breadmaking taught by a student at the Culinary Institute of America. His bread received awards at several fairs and was always a “winner” at his family celebrations and local church get-togethers. Making a real sourdough bread is a whole new adventure for many cooks. This recipe is fun to make, and even though it appears complicated, it really isn’t. While making the starter (rye sour), you may feel like an alchemist, and the people eating the delicious, moist slices will surely think that you have been working magic. Paul C. Osterman, Poughkeepsie, New York—Dutchess County Fair, Rhinebeck, New York

Rye Sour

Ingredients

2-1/2 cups rye flour, divided

1/3 teaspoon dry yeast

2-1/2 cups warm water, divided

1 tablespoon caraway seeds, crushed or ground in a coffee grinder

1/2 medium onion, minced

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided

Instructions

Begin making the rye sour 48 hours in advance. Combine ½ cup of the rye flour, yeast, 1 cup of the warm water, caraway seeds, and onion in a medium bowl and mix until smooth. The mixture should be soupy. Cover and let stand for 24 hours in a warm spot. The next day, add 1-¼ cups rye flour and ½ cup warm water. Stir until well blended and sprinkle the top with ¼ cup rye flour. Cover for 4 to 8 hours, or until the floured top appears cracked with fissures spread widely apart. Avoid letting the sour collapse. Add ¾ cup of the all-purpose flour and ½ cup warm water. Stir until well blended and sprinkle with ¼ cup rye flour. Let rise for 4 to 8 hours, or until fissures form. Add the remaining ¾ cup all-purpose flour and remaining ½ cup warm water. Stir and sprinkle with the remaining ¼ cup rye flour and let rise for another 4 to 8 hours.

Filling

Ingredients

1/2 medium onion, minced

2 teaspoons caraway seeds

2 teaspoons olive oil

Dash of salt

Instructions

To make the filling, combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.

Bread

Ingredients

2 medium potatoes (1 cup mashed)

2 packages (2 tablespoons) dry yeast

6 cups all-purpose flour, divided

1-1/2 tablespoons salt

4 to 5 tablespoons caraway seeds

cornmeal or vegetable cooking spray

1/4 cup cold water

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 cup boiling water

Instructions

To make the bread, cook the potatoes and drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water. Mash the potatoes. In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm potato water (105° to 120°F). When bubbles start to form, blend in the mashed potatoes and rye sour. Add 3 cups of the all-purpose flour, salt, and caraway seeds. Mix with a wooden spoon until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl, adding up to 3 more cups flour as needed. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 5 to 8 minutes. Knead in the filling and enough flour to make a soft, slightly sticky dough. Place the dough on an oiled surface, cover, and let rest for 15 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 200°F. Divide the dough into 3 parts. Either shape into round loaves and place on baking sheets sprinkled with cornmeal or place in loaf pans coated with vegetable cooking spray. Place in the oven, turn the temperature off, and leave the door open while the loaves rise for about 45 minutes. Remove from the oven, then preheat the oven to 375°F. Place an empty baking pan (about 10x8 inches) on the lower rack of the oven while it is heating. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the cold water and cornstarch. Add the boiling water and stir. With a pastry brush, coat the dough with the cornstarch mixture. Poke about 12 holes in each loaf with a skewer or peeled stick. Put about a dozen ice cubes in the baking pan and bake the loaves for 35 to 40 minutes, or until they sound hollow when tapped. Turn out onto wire racks, brush again with the cornstarch solution, and cool.