No-Knead Peasant Bread

Sometimes making no-knead bread is a commitment. You have to plan a day ahead because of the 12 to 18 hour rise time. This peasant bread, start to finish, takes about 2 hours – and makes a magnificent loaf. You can make this bread using a bowl and a spatula, no dough hooks or food processor needed, it’s that simple!

• 3 cups flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar
•  1 3/4 teaspoons instant yeast
• 3 oz. boiling water + 9 oz. cold water ( 1 1/2 cups total)

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, sugar, and yeast.
2. The mix of boiling and cold water is a good temperature combo to activate the yeast. Stir the water into the flour mixture, and mix with a spatula until a ball forms. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside.
3. Preheat oven to 400º for one minute, and shut the oven off. This makes the perfect warm environment to proof the bread. Let dough rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until it doubles in bulk.
4. Generously grease an 8.5″ x 4.5″ loaf pan with vegetable shortening or butter. Transfer dough to prepared pan. Let rise in draft free, warm spot for 20 to 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 425º. When oven comes to temperature, bake for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 375º and bake for another 20 minutes until golden. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out to a wire rack.