Finnish Rye Bread with a Twist

Ingredients

• 2 cups (250g) rye flour 2 cups (250g) rye flour
• 1 cup (125g) whole wheat flour 1 cup (125g) whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup (60ml) honey 1/4 cup (60ml) honey
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 cups (355ml) warm water 1 1/2 cups (355ml) warm water
• 1/4 cup (30g) sunflower seeds 1/4 cup (30g) sunflower seeds
• 2 tablespoons (14g) flaxseeds 2 tablespoons (14g) flaxseeds

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 180 kcal / 753 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 2g, 0.2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 38g, 6g
• Protein: 5g
• Fiber: 6g
• Salt: 0.6g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the rye flour, whole wheat flour, honey, salt, and yeast.
2. 2.
   Gradually add warm water to the mixture while stirring continuously until a sticky dough forms.
3. 3.
   Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
4. 4.
   Place the dough back into the mixing bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
5. 5.
   Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. 6.
   Punch down the risen dough and shape it into a round loaf. Place it on the prepared baking sheet.
7. 7.
   Sprinkle the sunflower seeds and flaxseeds evenly over the top of the loaf, gently pressing them into the dough.
8. 8.
   Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until it is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
9. 9.
   Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Rye flour — Rye flour can be dense and sticky, so it's important to knead the dough thoroughly to develop the gluten and achieve a lighter texture.
• Sunflower seeds — Toasting the sunflower seeds before adding them to the dough will enhance their nutty flavor.
• Flaxseeds — For better absorption of nutrients, grind the flaxseeds before adding them to the dough.

Tips & Tricks

• For a more rustic appearance, dust the top of the loaf with a little rye flour before baking.
• To achieve a softer crust, cover the bread with a clean kitchen towel while it cools.
• Experiment with different seed combinations such as pumpkin seeds or sesame seeds for added variety.
• For a tangier flavor, you can add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to the dough.
• Leftover bread can be sliced and frozen for later use.

Serving advice

Serve the Finnish Rye Bread with a Twist warm or at room temperature. It pairs well with butter, cheese, or your favorite spreads. Enjoy it as a hearty breakfast toast or as a side to soups, stews, or salads.

Presentation advice

To showcase the beautiful texture of the bread, slice it diagonally and arrange the slices on a wooden cutting board. Garnish with fresh herbs or edible flowers for an elegant touch.