Well, it doesn't have to be that way!!
Below is the easiest crusty bread recipe EVER! The dough is warm and soft while the outer crust is crunchy and crispy. Eat it straight from the oven or save it for later... either way, it will make a baker out of you!
Crusty Bread Recipe
3 cups all purpose flour
1 3/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon Instant or Rapid-rise yeast
1 1/2 cups water
In a bowl, mix together the flour, salt and yeast.
Next, add the water and mix until the dough comes together.
Cover your bowl with plastic wrap and set aside for 12 hours.
Overnight works the best!
Heat your oven to 450 degrees.
When your oven reaches 450 degrees, place a cast iron pot with a lid in the oven and heat the pot for 30 minutes.
While you are waiting, remove the dough from the bowl and pour it onto a floured surface and shape it into a ball.
Carefully, remove the hot pot from the oven and drop in your ball of dough.
Cover and return to the oven for 30 minutes to bake.
After 30 minutes, remove the lid and bake an additional 15 minutes to allow the crust to turn golden brown.
Remove your bread from your oven and place on a cooling rack to cool.
Then, dig in!
Tip: You can add garlic cloves to your dough prior to baking for a yummy garlic loaf or you can add fresh rosemary to your dough prior to baking. Both are delicious!
Tip: I did not have a lid for my cast iron pot so I covered the pot with foil and then removed the foil in order to let the crust to brown.
Tip: If I am going to make this, I prepare the dough the day before. Also, this bread is not HUGE, so, if you plan on serving a lot of people or if you are sharing this bread with your neighbors (Hi Natalie!), you can make 2 batches and cook them separately.
Sounds really good but I don't have a cast iron pot. Any suggestions to get around it?
ReplyDeleteSorry it took me so long to respond! I found some info. although, I have yet to try doing it this way. The necessary thing for a No-Knead Bread Dutch oven alternative is the use of a pot that has the ability to stand up to 450°F heat. Most heavy cookware will work, but don't use anything with a non-stick covering. I found this info on the link below....
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thekitchn.com/noknead-bread-alternative-to-d-42145
Again, I have not tried this myself only because I do have a cast iron pot. If you try it, let me know how it works!
Happy Baking!!