no-knead bread
First attempt was an overwhelming success! Pictures already on my flickr, will post here when I have time. Right now we have to get to the gym to be home in time to watch the Illinois b-ball game vs. Michigan.
update: pictures and recipe review
I'm a little behind the times on this recipe front. The NYT published this no-knead bread recipe a couple years ago, with this article about a NYC baker. There's also a quicker version published. If you search for "no-knead bread" you'll find countless repostings of the recipe, many with subtle variations, such as this one. Bottom line, most of this recipe is so easy that a 4-yr old can do it!
I don't have a dutch oven, but I have a hard-anodized 2-qt. Calphalon pot that would withstand the baking. I divided the recipe in half (1 1/2 cups flour and 3/4 cup water, plus 1/2 tsp active dry yeast and 3/4 tsp salt) and made two batches of dough, so my loaves are smaller.
I read on one blog that someone used parchment paper instead of towels to transport the sticky dough; I tried it and it worked like a charm, no mess at all. I'm saving the paper for multiple uses. I also used regular active dry yeast instead of instant active dry yeast and just increased the proportion by approx. 50%. For dusting, I used a combination of all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, and semolina flour. Otherwise, I followed the instructions exactly and the results were amazing. One more thing, timing: many of the blogs call for a 6-8 hour rise, basically overnight, but giving the dough 12-18 hours would be better if possible.
I highly recommend trying this recipe to anyone who would like lovely rustic homemade bread. It really is this easy. It just takes a little patience. I won't give up my other bread making techniques completely, because they serve their purposes well, but if you're craving good bread for just eating or panini, this is The One.
update: pictures and recipe review
I'm a little behind the times on this recipe front. The NYT published this no-knead bread recipe a couple years ago, with this article about a NYC baker. There's also a quicker version published. If you search for "no-knead bread" you'll find countless repostings of the recipe, many with subtle variations, such as this one. Bottom line, most of this recipe is so easy that a 4-yr old can do it!
I don't have a dutch oven, but I have a hard-anodized 2-qt. Calphalon pot that would withstand the baking. I divided the recipe in half (1 1/2 cups flour and 3/4 cup water, plus 1/2 tsp active dry yeast and 3/4 tsp salt) and made two batches of dough, so my loaves are smaller.
I read on one blog that someone used parchment paper instead of towels to transport the sticky dough; I tried it and it worked like a charm, no mess at all. I'm saving the paper for multiple uses. I also used regular active dry yeast instead of instant active dry yeast and just increased the proportion by approx. 50%. For dusting, I used a combination of all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, and semolina flour. Otherwise, I followed the instructions exactly and the results were amazing. One more thing, timing: many of the blogs call for a 6-8 hour rise, basically overnight, but giving the dough 12-18 hours would be better if possible.
I highly recommend trying this recipe to anyone who would like lovely rustic homemade bread. It really is this easy. It just takes a little patience. I won't give up my other bread making techniques completely, because they serve their purposes well, but if you're craving good bread for just eating or panini, this is The One.