Brown Bread

Ingredients

 * 2 lb whole wheat flour
 * 2 lb white flour
 * 2 tsp salt
 * 4 oz shortening
 * 1 oz yeast
 * 2 tsp Sugar
 * Warm water

Directions

 * 1) Dissolve the Sugar in a little warm water then sprinkle yeast on top and allow to rise.
 * 2) Sift the flour and salt, and add about ¼ of the total amount of flour to the yeast mixture. Cover and leave in a warm place to set the sponge (i.e. until the mixture is bubbly) -- about 1 hour.
 * 3) If shortening is used, rub it into the remainder of the flour using fingertips or a fork until the mixture is like breadcrumbs.
 * 4) Add this flour to yeast mixture and knead well until a smooth elastic dough is formed. Add some more warm water if necessary, as a hard dry dough does not rise well.
 * 5) Put the dough in a greased or floured bowl, cover and leave to rise to twice its size.
 * 6) Knead lightly to avoid bursting any bubbles, and without using extra flour if necessary. Mould or shape into loaves.
 * 7) Cover and prove.
 * 8) Bake in a hot oven until thoroughly cooked.