IDEAL BREAD – NO Kneading!😲👆

No-knead bread has become incredibly popular for its simplicity and delicious results. Here’s a basic recipe and some tips to help you bake your own “ideal” no-knead bread:

Ingredients:

• 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour (or bread flour for a chewier texture)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons (7g) salt
• 1/2 teaspoon (2g) instant or rapid-rise yeast
• 1 1/2 cups (350ml) warm water (not hot)

Instructions:

1. Combine Dry Ingredients:
   • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and yeast.
2. Add Water:
   • Pour the warm water into the dry ingredients.
   • Using a wooden spoon or spatula, stir until a shaggy dough forms. It will be sticky.
3. First Rise (12-18 hours):
   • Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel.
   • Let the dough rise at room temperature for 12 to 18 hours. The longer it rises, the more complex the flavor will be.
4. Shape the Dough:
   • After the rise, the dough will be bubbly and doubled in size.
   • Generously flour a work surface.
   • Turn the dough out onto the floured surface.
   • Fold the dough over itself a few times to shape it into a loose ball.
   • Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a towel and let it rest for 15 minutes.
5. Second Rise (2 hours):
   • While the dough rests, preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
   • Place a 6-quart Dutch oven (or a similar heavy pot with a lid) in the oven while it preheats. This is crucial for creating a steamy environment that helps the bread rise.
   • After the 15-minute rest, shape the dough into a tighter ball.
   • Carefully remove the hot Dutch oven from the oven.
   • Place the dough in the hot pot.
   • Cover the pot with the lid.
6. Bake:
   • Bake for 30 minutes with the lid on.
   • Remove the lid and bake for another 15-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
7. Cool:
   • Remove the bread from the Dutch oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing.

Tips for Success:

• Use a Dutch Oven: The Dutch oven is essential for trapping steam and creating a crispy crust.
• Don’t Over-Knead: The beauty of this recipe is that you don’t need to knead the dough.
• Long Rise: The long rise is crucial for developing flavor.
• Hot Pot: Make sure the Dutch oven is very hot before adding the dough.
• Experiment: You can add herbs, spices, or other ingredients to the dough for different flavors.
• Flour: using bread flour will produce a chewier loaf.

Enjoy your delicious homemade no-knead bread!