Hungarian Country Bread

Total Time: 4 hrs 10 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 4 hrs

Ingredients

• 1 ounce fresh yeast or 1 package dry yeast
• 3 cups lukewarm water
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 -2 1/2 lbs wheat flour (8 cups)

Recipe

• 1 dissolve yeast in water (if using dry yeast, follow instructions).
• 2 add most of the flour and the salt.
• 3 knead vigorously by hand for 5-10 minutes.
• 4 let rise, covered, to double size (1-2 hours).
• 5 heat the oven to 450 deg f/ 230 deg c.
• 6 knead again, vigorously, for 5 minutes.
• 7 shape one big, round loaf and put on a greased baking tray.
• 8 cover and let rise for another 45 minutes.
• 9 make a few cuts in the loaf with a razorblade.
• 10 bake in the oven for 10 minutes.
• 11 reduce heat to 400/200 deg and bake another one hour.
• 12 the crust should become quite brown.
• 13 turn off the oven, take out the bread, and brush the bread with water.
• 14 put it back in the oven for 15 minutes.
• 15 let cool uncovered.