No-Knead Artisan Bread

Ingredients

• 3.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups water
• 0.25 ounces active dry yeast
• 1.5 teaspoons salt

Instructions

1. 1

   In a large mixing bowl, combine 3.5 cups of all-purpose flour and 1.5 teaspoons of salt.

2. 2

   In a small bowl, activate the yeast by combining 0.25 ounces of active dry yeast with 1.5 cups of warm water (about 110°F). Allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.

3. 3

   Pour the activated yeast mixture into the flour mixture and stir until a shaggy dough forms. Ensure all flour is incorporated.

   This step practices mixing techniques without kneading. A shaggy dough is perfect for no-knead bread.
4. 4

   Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let it sit at room temperature for 12-18 hours. The dough should rise and become bubbly.

5. 5

   After the dough has risen, turn it out onto a well-floured surface. With floured hands, gently shape it into a ball without kneading.

   Shaping the dough without kneading helps maintain air bubbles, crucial for the bread's texture.
6. 6

   Place the shaped dough onto a floured piece of parchment paper, cover it with a towel, and let it rest for 1-2 hours.

7. 7

   About 30 minutes before baking, preheat your oven to 450°F. Place a Dutch oven (with the lid) inside to heat up.

8. 8

   Once the oven is hot, carefully remove the Dutch oven, and lift the parchment paper with the dough into the pot. Cover with the lid.

   Be cautious when handling the hot Dutch oven to avoid burns.
9. 9

   Bake the bread covered for 30 minutes, then remove the lid and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the crust is golden brown.

10. 10

    Remove the bread from the Dutch oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing.