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There is so much beauty to be found in simplicity. As far as food and daily rituals go, there may be nothing quite so simple and satisfying as making a fresh loaf of bread. You mix flour, water, salt, and yeast in their proper proportions, let your dough rise at its own natural pace, work it with your hands once ready, and toss it into the oven.
There are many configurations of the process, but bread making at its very core is very simple, if time consuming. It has been practiced for thousands of years: by people rich and poor, from all corners and cultures of the world. Yet to the novice baker, learning how to make your own bread at home might not seem so readily accessible.
Bread has taken on an increasingly “artisan” character - and not only in professional bakery environments. There are innumerable books, blogs, and recipes for creating beautiful breads at home. About two years ago, my wife and I came across a recipe for “No-Knead Bread” from Jim Lahey, the owner of Sullivan Street Bakery in New York City. It was the perfect starting point for someone with no experience or technique, but a little equipment and a lot of patience. We have since tweaked the recipe, adapting the method to suit our own lives. I encourage you to do the same!
[caption id="attachment_25518" align="aligncenter" width="480"]
Lehman's hand-thrown pottery mixing bowls are ideal for letting dough rise overnight. Several sizes and a complete set available at Lehmans.com.[/caption]
Ingredients
- 3 c. all-purpose or bread flour (plus additional flour for dusting your surface & dough)
- ½ tsp. dry active yeast
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1½ c. warm water
- 1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Cast Iron Dutch Oven (or other heavy covered pot)
- Optional: Bee’s Wrap
This "double dutch" oven is a five-quart dutch oven with extra deep lid which can be used as a skillet. Two great cast iron pans in one. At Lehmans.com.[/caption]
Stretch one corner toward yourself and fold it over onto the rest of the dough. Perform this fold on each side of the dough, rotating after each. Once finished, flip the dough so your folds are now on the bottom side. Cup your hands around the side of the dough furthest from you, and pull it toward yourself in a manner that “tightens” the dough. Rotate and repeat until the dough shapes into a nice, even ball. Much like kneading, stretching and pulling the dough strengthens the gluten proteins, which will give your dough shape. Dust with more flour.
Once the oven is preheated, carefully take out the Dutch oven and remove the lid. Flip the dough over into it, seam side up. It may look strange, but those seams from your folds will crack during baking, giving you that nice artisanal look that seemed so unlikely just a short time ago! Cover with the lid and bake for 25 minutes, then remove the lid and bake for another 5 minutes until the loaf is a rich, golden-brown color.
Allow another 30 minutes for cooling — listen to the crust crackle, indulge in the aroma of what you have created — and enjoy.
[tasty-recipe id="37522"]
Editor's Note: Mark Spigos is a writer, photographer, and aspiring farmer. After growing up in an urban setting, Mark moved to rural Northeast Ohio seeking to learn the necessary skills for a more self-sufficient & sustainable lifestyle. He is a passionate beekeeper, bread baker, home brewer, and husband.
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