Basic Holiday Bread Dough

[mos]

this is a recipe for strick vegetarians or lactose intolerant folks! you can substitute whatever milk you prefer to use;-) it is a recipe that uses some ingredients that you may not have on hand normaly and requires a bit of work. however, it is sooo worth the effort!
basic holiday bread dough
2 cups soymilk
1/2 cup honey
2 tbs lemon juice
2 tsp salt
1/2 cup oil
3/4 warm water
1 tsp honey
2 tbs potato flour or starch
2 tbs dry active baking yeast
3 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
3 1/2 cups unbleached white flour
1.

in a small saucepan, heat soymilk just until bubbles form around the edge. remove from heat. add 1/2 cup honey, lemon juice, salt and oil.

let cool to lukewarm.
2. place warm water in a large mixing bowl. stir in 1 teaspoon honey.

sprinkle potato flour (or starch) and yeast over top and let dissolve. pour in soymilk mixture, then stir in 3 cups flour of choice.
3. beat for 2 min with a wooden spoon or an electric mixer.

add 1 more cup flour and beat again for 2 min. cover with a clean dishtowel or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 HR.
4. work in remaining 3 cups flour and any flavorings you wish, and knead vigorously on a lightly floured surface for 10 min (or use dough hook), adding a little more flour if necessary.

the dough should feel velvety smooth, not sticky.
5. place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 1/2 HOURS.
6. deflate dough by pressing it gently.

shape risen dough into 2 loaves. if desired, add special fillings at this point. place in greased and floured 9 X 5″ loaf pans, and let rise until doubled, about 1 TO 2 hours.

preheat oven to 350°. when dough is done rising, brush with soymilk. bake for 30 min or until crust is golden brown.

makes 16 SERVINGS = 286 calories
suggestions for flavorings or fillings: 1 teapoon vanilla extract, 1 tsp grated lemon rind, 2 cups chopped mixed dried fruit, 2 tsp crushed fennel seeds, 1 tsp crushed anise seeds, 1 1/2 cup golden raisins, 1/3 cup pine nuts, 1/2 cup shelled pistachio nuts, 1/2 cup candied lemon peel, 1/2 cup candied citron, 3 tbs grated orange rind, or 3 tbs marsala wine. these are all separate fillings, but i imagine that they could be combined. i have never mixed, but have used all that are listed.

be creative and have fun!

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