No Need to Knead Bread - The First Attempt

I would love to be a master bread maker, but alas I am nowhere near anything of the such. I am getting better so there is some light at the end of the tunnel - you just have to use binoculars to see it.

I love bread! With the past visit to Paris eating so many types of wonderful bread, I've got the itch to learn how to make bread anyone and everyone would love.

This is cheating but it still makes some amazing bread - so good that I would give it to friends...

The one thing you must have to make this recipe is a heavy 5-Quart or better pot that can withstand a 450F oven. I use an enameled cast iron pot, but a Pyrex or something like that will work too...

3 cups bread flour
1/4 teaspoon instant yeast (yes that is all you need)
1 tsp table salt
1 1/2 cups warm water

Put the flour in a large bowl. Add the yeast and salt to the bowl. You don't have to but I like to mix everything up a bit before I add the water. Add the warm water and mix everything together. You can use your hands for this but I wouldn't - the dough will be very sticky and will stick all over you! Once everything is incorporated you want to cover the bowl with plastic wrap and put it in a draft free place. Let the dough sit for 19 to 24 hours. Use a spatula to dump the dough on a well flowered counter or board. Add flour to your hands and you want to fold the dough over on itself in thirds (like folding a letter). You want to bring in the sides then fold over the top and bottom. Put the seam side down them transfer the dough ball to a bowl lined with a kitchen towel that has been well floured. Pull the towel over the dough then let sit for an hour. When 30 minutes have passed add your pot to the oven and turn it up to 450F. When the hour is up take the pot from the oven and put the dough into the pot. Cover and return to the oven for 30 minutes. When the timer goes off remove the lid from the pot and bake for another 15-20 minutes. Once finished carefully remove the bread from the pot (it will be rocket hot) and let it cool on a rack for at least 1 hour! Do not touch it before the hour is up - I know that's hard to do but it will be worth it... Cut you off a slice and give it a try. It will have a nice smell and great taste... Eat & Enjoy!

Happy baking!

~Nikko

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