Simple Artisan Bread Recipe

So you want to learn how to make fast and easy bread that will blow your mind?  That’s exactly what I am going to show you, a simple artisan bread recipe.  My children make better bread than most restaurants.  No Joke!  The ingredients are inexpensive and readily available.  However a Dutch Oven / Cast Iron is key to making this turn out properly.  We have tried Pyrex and the results were not up to par.  So I suggest sticking with the Dutch Oven.  If you don’t have one Amazon.com has the one I use for $30.54.  Another nice thing about this recipe is that it does not require any kneading what so ever, remember… it’s simple.

This recipe is fast (only takes about 5 minutes to mix, then its done till the next day), easy (only 4 ingredients) and you can master it the first time you make it.  I recommend that you make at least 2 batches, you can easily double the ingredients and make it a double batch.  Separate at the time of baking.  Note: It’s possible to make the dough early in the morning and use it that evening.

Still not sure?  Watch the video below. Mark Bittman at Sullivan Street Bakery in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen.

Ingredients

• 3 Cups White All Purpose Flour (non-enriched)
• 1/4 Tsp Dry Yeast
• 1 & 1/4 Tsp Sea Salt
• 1 & 1/2 Cup Warm Water (never “HOT” water, it will kill the yeast)
• A Pinch Of Corn Meal (for bottom of dutch oven)

Directions

1. Mix All Dry Ingredients: Flour, Yeast, Salt In A Large Bowl
2. Stir In All Water
3. Mix Completely
4. Let Rise For 12 + Hours, Covered But Not Air Tight
5. Do Not Refrigerate, Leave It Out
6. Preheat Oven & Dutch Oven to 500 Degrees (takes about 20-30 minutes)
7. Spread A Little Flour Onto Work Surface, Work Dough Into A Round Loaf Shape.  You May Fold Edges Over Or Make Slices On Top If You Wish
8. Sprinkle A Pinch Of Corn Meal Into The Bottom Of Dutch Oven
9. Drop Dough Into The Center Of The Dutch Oven, Place Lid On
10. Bake For 30 Minutes With Lid On
11. Bake For 15-20 Minutes With Lid Off
12. Cool On Rack At Least 10-20 Minutes Before Cutting
13. Melt Some Butter On Top If You Wish

So it’s about 10 minutes to prepare dough, 45 minutes to bake, In less that 1 hour you have incredible bread.

Great Creative

Now you have the basic’s down. Your basically a master bread baker. Now try switching it up a bit, try new ingredients, herbs, spices, sugar.  Switch out a cup of white flour for wheat flour, see, smell and taste the difference.  Maybe try some cheese or fruit, you really can’t go wrong.  If you add ingredients you already like then the chance of the bread being a hit is pretty high.

Samples

Best Bread Video Ever

By Mark Bittman of the New York Times.  He is the Minimalist ~ Baking Bread At Home.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/v/13Ah9ES2yTU?&rel=0]

Enjoy, and share this!

-Ray

P.S.  I want to thank Jason Perkins from Bend, Oregon, a fellow beer brewer for peaking my interest in baking amazing breads! Thanks Jason!