SWEDISH RYE

1 pkg. yeast------------------2 tbsp. shortening
1/4 cup water-----------------1-1/2 cups hot water
1/4 cup brown sugar-----------2-1/2 cups medium rye flour
1/4 cup light molasses-------3 tbsp. caraway seed or
1 tbsp. salt------------------2 tbsp. orange peel zest
3-1/2 to 4 cups white flour

Dissolve yeast in warm water. In big bowl, combine brown sugar, molasses, salt & shortening. Add hot water & stir until sugar dissolves. Cool to lukewarm. Stir in rye flour & beat well. Add softened yeast & caraway seed or orange zest. Mix well. Reserving some of white flour for kneading, add enough of remainder to make a soft dough. Turn out on floured hoard. Cover & let rest for 10 minutes. Knead until smooth & satiny, about 10 minutes.

Place dough in lightly greased bowl, turning once to grease surface. Cover; let rise in warm place until double (about 1 1/2 - 2 hours). Punch down. Turn out on a lightly floured surface and divide in two portions. Round each piece of dough in a ball; cover & let rest 10 minutes. Pat balls of dough into 2 round leaves & place on greased baking sheet. Cover & let rise until almost double (1-1/2 to 2 hours). Bake at 375 degrees F for 25 - 30 minutes. For soft crust, butter tops while hot. Makes 2 round leaves.

ROSEMARY & RED ONION FOCCACIA

1 medium red onion--------------3 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. sugar------------------1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. chopped rosemary, dried or fresh
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes------1 pkg. refrigerated pizza dough

Slice onion thinly & saute in oil, adding sugar, salt & rosemary when onion begins to soften. Cook another 2-3 minutes until sugar carmelizes. Roll out the purchased refrigerated pizza dough according to package directions & spread with onion mixture. Sprinkle with pepper flakes. Bake for 12 minutes at 450 F or according to package directions until dough is puffed & brown. Slice into wedges. Makes 6 servings.

granni's note: Of course you can top with your choice - maybe a little pesto, made with sweet basil or sun-dried tomatoes, adding a bit of grated parmesan.

WHITE BREAD (Recipe from granni39's mom)

6 scant cups flour---------------2 tsp. salt
1 pkg. yeast---------------------6 tsp. sugar
2 cups scalded milk, cooled------4 tbsp. melted shortening

Dissolve yeast in some of warm milk. Add remaining milk, salt & sugar. Mix well & add flour. When partly mixed add shortening & mix well with hands. Turn onto lightly floured board & knead until smooth, elastic & bubbly. Cover & let rise until double (2-4 hrs.). Knead down. Let stand 45 minutes. Knead again, let stand 15 minutes. Divide & put in pans. Brush with melted butter & let rise til light & double (1-2 hours). Bake at 4000F for 20 minutes, then turn heat to 350 F for 40 minutes or until well browned & shrunk from sides of pan.

FRENCH BREAD (Cousin Bud's wife Barb)
(also use for pizza or hamburger buns)

1 1/4 cups lukewarm water--------2 tsp. sugar
1 pkg. yeast----------------------1 tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. salt-----------------------3-1/4 to 3-1/2 cups flour


Soften yeast in warm water for five minutes. Add salt, sugar, oil and half of flour. Beat until smooth with mixer. By hand (unless your mixer can handle bread dough), stir in remaining flour until mixture leaves side of bowl. Spray top of dough with cooking spray & cover with plastic wrap. Let rise in warm place until doubled. (Turn on light in your oven & place bowl of dough under the light with the oven door closed. Dough will double in about an hour.) Punch down, then roll out to 15 by 8" rectangle. Roll up to make long slender roll, tapering ends with hands. Place on a greased baking sheet. Brush with cold water. Let rise until light (30-35 minutes). Brush with water again, slash diagonally at 2" intervals. If desired, sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake at 375 F for 35-40 minutes with pan of water on bottom of oven. Yield 1 loaf.

For pizza or foccacia bread, spread onto cookie sheet or pizza pan, top with desired toppings & bake at 375 F 25-30 minutes or until dough is well browned, but not burnt. (No water in bottom of oven for this or the next alteration.)

granni's note: I make hamburger buns with this recipe: form approximately 8 balls, flatten to about 1 inch, bake 375 F on pizza stone (or regular pan) 30-35 minutes.