I used to think that artisan-style homemade bread was too difficult for me to tackle.
Until I tried this recipe for "No-Knead" Bread.
I was hooked on the name, because kneading is hard and time-consuming. I decided to try this method of making bread that was simple, and effective!
Look at this beautiful loaf!
I promise you, this is simple!! Much easier than I ever thought baking bread could be!
I prepare the dough in the afternoon, between 3-5 pm.
Start with 3 1/4 cups AP Flour in a bowl w/lid.
Add 2 tsp salt and 1 tsp dry yeast and stir.
Then add 1 1/2 cups water, stir to mix. The dough will be sticky and "wettish." That's normal.
Put the lid on and let it sit on the counter overnight!
The next morning it will look like this:
Magically while you were sleeping, the gluten was working and growing to make this wonderful dough ready-to-bake!
Next, put a Dutch Oven with Lid in the oven, and set it to 450 degrees. Make sure your Dutch Oven and Lid heat up with the oven.
Mine is a 4-5 quart, heavy cast-iron. You can see the measurements.
While the oven is heating, turn the (sticky) dough onto a floured surface and pull the outer edges into the middle. You're NOT kneading, just shaping the flour into a ball.
When the oven reaches 450 degrees, CAREFULLY take out the Dutch Oven and place the dough/parchment into it. Then put it back into the oven, cover, and set your timer for 30 minutes.
Don't lift the lid to peek! It creates its own moisture in there which makes the crunchy crust on the bread!
After 30 minutes, remove the lid.
Set your timer for 8 minutes.
Look at that crust!!!!
My loaves are done after 8 minutes uncovered.
Yours may need a couple more minutes to brown completely.
Carefully, take out the Dutch oven and remove the loaf to cool on a rack.
These loaves are beautifully soft on the inside, crunchy on the outside. They slice nicely for toast or sandwiches. You can add seeds, nuts, raisins, or other ingredients.
I love making a loaf to bring as a gift to special people!
Let me know if you try this and how it turns out!
