This bread is so good and so easy. GIVE THIS A GO. This recipe is by 'Tasty'. I am simply posting to share a tried and true recipe by Chef-Em that you need to give a go! Don't re-create the wheel when something is perfect. I've adjusted a few items but only by a little bit. I've made it literally what seems like a million times and it always comes out perfect.
Ingredients:
Takes about 5 - 6 hours total (worth it!)
- 2 cups warm almost hot water
- 1 envelope active dry yeast
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (plus additional)
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
Directions:
1. Stir the yeast into the water and allow the yeast to get foamy. (this takes 5 -10 minutes)
2. In a large bowl, mix together the flour and salt by hand. Once incorporated, create a small well in the middle and pour in the water and yeast mixture once foamy.
3. Wet your working hand before mixing, so the dough doesn’t stick to your fingers. Then mix. The water and flour should come together and a form a rough dough that pulls away from the sides of the bowl. If the dough is too sticky, add more flour in small increments, about 1 tablespoon at a time. If the dough is too dry, add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time.
4. Once the dough comes together, cover with a towel and let rise until doubled in size (about 1 ½ hours).
5. Uncover the dough and give it a few pokes with your finger. If the dough has risen properly, it should indent under the pressure of your finger and slowly deflate. Using a rubber spatula, start from the rim of the bowl to work the dough loose from the sides and fold it up and towards the center of the bowl.
6. Repeat until all the dough has been pulled from the sides and folded towards the center.
7. Once finished, cover and let the dough rise again for another 1½ hours.
8. Once the dough has doubled in size again, gently transfer it from the bowl to a lightly floured surface. Sprinkle a bit of flour on top of the dough.
9. Using your hands, begin to shape it into a round loaf. Fold the dough under itself several times to form a ball, then pinch together the seams of dough underneath.
10. Place the dough seam-side down in a clean bowl that has been lightly coated with olive oil and dusted with flour.
11. Cover and let rise for 1 hour. Meanwhile, place a Dutch oven (or heavy cooking pot with oven-safe lid) inside the oven. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees with the pot inside for 45 minutes-1 hour. They will be ready to go at the same time.
12. Carefully remove the pot from the oven and place it on a heat-safe surface. (Be careful - especially with the lid)
13. Take the risen dough onto a lightly floured surface and carefully place it inside the pot. Put the lid on and put in the oven.
14. Bake for 30 minutes, after 30, remove the lid and bake the bread for another 15 minutes to brown.
15. Remove bread from pot, cover, and let cool for 10 minutes before slicing.
Serve with vibrant herb oil blend OR soft butter to spread. It's delicious and impressive!
xoxo Chef Em
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