Wild Rice Bread

A recipe that was printed in the local newspaper back many years . I received this recipe from my SIL and later found it in a Christmas booklet. It is extremley moist,healthy and so very tasty.Serve it with butter,a slice of cheese or a sandwich. Certainly a favorite at our house.

• Ready In: 31 hrs
• Yields: 4-6 loaves

Ingredients

• 1  cup wild rice
• 8 1⁄2 cups water, divided
• 1  tablespoon  yeast (or 1 pkg.)
• 1⁄4 cup sugar, plus
• 1  teaspoon sugar
• 1⁄2 cup molasses
• 3  tablespoons shortening, softened
• 2  teaspoons salt
• 1  cup  natural bran
• 1  cup  raw sunflower seeds
• 1 1⁄2 cups  sunny boy  cereal or 1 1⁄2 cups  seven-grain cereal
• 1 1⁄2 cups rolled oats
• 11  cups flour (approx)

Directions

1. In a saucepan boil rice in 4 cups water and cook until rice is tender(approx 40-50 minutes).
2. Drain and cool.
3. Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup of lukewarm water and 1 teaspoon sugar.
4. Add enough flour to make a thin paste.
5. Set in a warm place for about 10-15 minutes.
6. In a large bowl mix: 4 cups warm water.1/4 cup sugar,molasses,shortening,salt,natural bran,sunflower seeds.
7. Add yeast mixture,the cooled rice,sunny boy cereal and rolled oats.
8. Add approximately 10 cups white flour,( starting with less) or sufficient to make bread dough and knead the dough well.
9. Let rise until double in size (about 2 hours).
10. Punch down and form into loaves and again let rise until double in size.
11. Bake in 375degreeF for 25-30 minutes or until bread is done. Check by tapping on the base of the loaf with knuckles. If bread sounds hollow it will be done.
12. Recipe should make about 4-6 loaves depending on size and shape.
13. Note; recipe can be halved using still 1 tablespoon yeast but halving all other ingredients.
14. Prep time includes cooking and standing time,approx.