no knead bread recipe

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Resting Time: 12-18 hours
Baking Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf
Intensity: Easy

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 cups lukewarm water

Instructions:

1. Mixing the Dough:
   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, and active dry yeast. Stir to mix evenly.
   • Add the lukewarm water to the dry ingredients and mix until a shaggy dough forms. It should be a sticky and wet dough.
2. First Rise:
   • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rest at room temperature for 12-18 hours. This long resting time allows the dough to develop flavor and texture without kneading.
3. Preheat the Oven:
   • About 30 minutes before you plan to bake the bread, preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a Dutch oven or heavy oven-safe pot with a lid in the oven as it preheats.
4. Shaping the Bread:
   • Once the oven is preheated and the dough has risen, lightly flour your hands and a work surface.
   • Carefully transfer the dough onto the floured surface and gently shape it into a round or oval loaf. You can fold the edges of the dough underneath to create a smoother surface.
5. Second Rise:
   • Place the shaped dough on a piece of parchment paper. Cover it loosely with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for another 30 minutes to 1 hour. During this time, the dough will rise slightly.
6. Baking the Bread:
   • After the second rise, carefully remove the preheated Dutch oven or pot from the oven.
   • Lift the parchment paper with the dough and place it into the hot Dutch oven. Cover with the lid.
7. Bake:
   • Bake the bread covered for 30 minutes. This helps create steam inside the pot, which is essential for a crispy crust.
   • After 30 minutes, remove the lid from the Dutch oven and continue baking the bread uncovered for an additional 15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and crispy.
8. Cooling and Serving:
   • Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before slicing.
   • Slice the no-knead bread and serve it warm with butter, jam, or your favorite toppings.

Note:

• You can customize this basic no-knead bread recipe by adding seeds, nuts, herbs, or spices to the dough during the initial mixing stage for extra flavor and texture.
• Experiment with different types of flour such as whole wheat flour or bread flour for variations in taste and texture. Adjust the water amount accordingly if using different types of flour.